Abstract: An aircraft having a lift/propulsion unit which includes a power unit such as a turboshaft engine which drives a fan through a transmission mechanism. The fan discharges to vectoring nozzles which can be independently swivelled to provide lift or propulsion thrust. An output shaft of the transmission mechanism serves as the main shaft of a motor/generator of modular form. The motor/generator can act as a generator to charge an electrical storage device such as a battery, or as a motor to drive the fan, either alone or to supplement the output of engine. Reaction control nozzles are provided at extremities of the aircraft to provide stabilizing thrust. The aircraft is capable of vertical take off and hovering, with the vectoring nozzles swivelled to a lift position, and forward thrust with the vectoring nozzles swivelled to a propulsion position.

Abstract: The lift, propulsion and stabilising system for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft of the invention consists of applying during vertical flight on, below or in the interior of the fixed-wing aircraft one or more rotors or large fans each one with two or more horizontal blades, said rotors are activated by means of turboshafts, turbofans or turboprops with a mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical transmission, and the respective motors. Using lifting and/or stabilising and/or controlling fans and/or oscillating fins and/or air blasts. Placing the horizontal lifters near at least one end of the longitudinal axis and of the transverse axis of the aircraft. Generally said stabilising elements form 90° with one another and with the central application point of the rotor or application of that which results from the lift forces.

Abstract: Conventional bottom blade type trefoil flight vehicles have composite structures wherein a plurality of pairs of fixing plates, forward/backward adjustment blades, and left and right rotation adjustment blades are separately mounted and adjusted, and thus have difficulties in scouting and surveillance in an indoor area due to the heavy weights and the large volumes of the flight vehicles. Another conventional flight vehicle has drawbacks in that flight in the left and right directions is difficult, and an adjustment blade and a fixing plate are arranged adjacent to each other to cause mutual influences of wind and non-uniformity in the flow of wind. The present invention provides a flight vehicle characterized in that three pairs of fixing plates with fixed pitch propellers and adjustment blades are installed at an angle of 120 degrees.

Abstract: A module (10) for use with a bypass turbofan engine. The module comprises a hot flow channel through which the hot gas flow generated by the engine can flow and a bypass flow channel (14) through which the bypass air generated by the engine can flow. Part of the bypass air may be re-directed to be exhausted from the module at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the module so as to create vertical thrust. The hot flow channel may be separated from the bypass flow channel by a porous separator (12) that allows a degree of mixing between the hot gas flowing in the hot gas flow channel and the cold gas flowing in the cold gas flow channel.

Abstract: Novel aircraft for vertical and horizontal flight having powered air acceleration means installed within its structure drawing air thereinto and delivering the resulting airflow upon airfoils installed in opposed pairs on opposite sides of its exterior structure thereby producing lift without forward travel of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system and method to control flight of an aircraft. The aircraft having an engine with a rotatably nozzle assembly configured to create forward propulsion and yaw control of the aircraft. The engine exhaust passing through the nozzle is redirected with a valve disposed within the nozzle. Lift is created with a lift system carried by the wing of the aircraft. Additional lift is created during flight with a retractable wing extension disposed within the wing of the aircraft.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement for moving a first component relative to a second component, the arrangement comprising: an actuator chamber for receiving a fluid under pressure, a side wall of the chamber being fixed relative to the first component; an actuating element fixed relative to the second component and located inside the chamber for sliding movement along the chamber, relative to the side-wall; and a sealing element which provides a corresponding sliding seal between the actuating element and the sidewall for maintaining an actuating fluid pressure differential across the actuating element thereby to drive the actuating element relative to said side-wall, under said fluid pressure differential, for driving said relative movement of the first and second components; wherein the arrangement further comprises an external side-wall brace connected to the second component for corresponding movement with the actuating element along the outside of the sidewall, the brace being slidably or rollably braced against t

Abstract: An augmented kinesthetic control system for use with a lift platform, the lift platform comprising first and second longitudinally-spaced thrust generating means, is provided. The first and second lift planes defined by the first and second thrust generating means are positioned below the lift platform center of gravity. The kinesthetic control means are coupled to means for aerodynamically altering the air flow from the first and second thrust generating means such that the intuitive and balancing movements of the pilot are magnified to allow kinesthetic control of a vehicle of greater size and utility.

Abstract: An aircraft with this VTOL technology (the Invention) (6,7,8,9,10,18,19,20) can achieve VTOL even its thrust-to-weight ratio is smaller than 1. It is impossible for an aircraft with a thrust-to-weight ratio smaller than 1 to take off and land vertically with traditional technologies. The present invention, however, can achieve VTOL on these aircraft (6,7,8,9,10,18,19,20) by generating another lift force for VTOL by horizontally setting a Thin Wing (2) at the middle of the perpendicular line of the horizontal section inside the Air Intake Duct (5,6) in addition to the lift force obtained by traditional ways. This invention can be used to retrofit an existing aircraft to achieve VTOL or manufacture a VTOL aircraft with a thrust-to-weight ratio smaller than 1.

Abstract: A vehicle, particularly a VTOL air vehicle, includes a duct carried by the vehicle frame with the longitudinal axis of the duct perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame; a propeller rotatably mounted within the duct about the longitudinal axis of the duct to force an ambient fluid therethrough from its inlet at the upper end of the duct through its exit at the lower end of the duct, and thereby to produce an upward lift force applied to the vehicle, and a plurality of spaced vanes mounted to and across the inlet and exit ends of the duct about axes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the duct and selectively operational to produce a desired horizontal control force in addition to the lift force applied to the vehicle.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for a VTOL or STOVL aircraft having an airframe mounted lift system comprises a hinged deflector door pivotally mounted on the underside of the airframe for exhaust efflux deflection. The door is movable about its axis to vector impinging exhaust gases rearwards during the transition between vertical and horizontal flight, and in addition comprises a pair of lateral sidewalls which are movable in the plane of the door to direct the exhaust efflux sideways for improved aircraft yaw control.

Abstract: A V/STOL aircraft includes an aft by-pass powerplant 28 having an aft, rearwardly directed nozzle 30 and twin transverse vectorable nozzles 32. A duct 29 extends forwardly of the powerplant and terminates in a vectorable nozzle 16. The duct supplies relatively cool by-pass air to the nozzle.

Abstract: An aircraft wing has an inboard section and an outboard section. The inboard section is attached (i) on one side thereof to the aircraft's fuselage, and (ii) on an opposing side thereof to an inboard side of a turbofan engine nacelle in an over-the-wing mounting position. The outboard section's leading edge has a sweep of at least 20 degrees. The inboard section's leading edge has a sweep between ?15 and +15 degrees, and extends from the fuselage to an attachment position on the nacelle that is forward of an index position defined as an imaginary intersection between the sweep of the outboard section's leading edge and the inboard side of the nacelle. In an alternate embodiment, the turbofan engine nacelle is replaced with an open rotor engine nacelle.

Abstract: A ducted propulsion vector system that vectors thrust generated from ducted fan powered aircraft. The system has hinged duct flaps may be vectored from +10 degrees up and turned through ?90 degrees downward. Vectored downward 90 degrees, the flaps vector thrust enabling vertical/short takeoff and landing of an aircraft. Hover control is facilitated by internal mounted vanes in line of the thrust stream. The duct flaps are transitioned at operator's input to enable the aircraft to achieve forward flight.

Abstract: Lift produced by an airfoil of an aircraft is increased by suppressing fluid detachment from the surface of the airfoil. An engine cowling extends outwardly from the surface of the airfoil that has an exit plane configured for directing exhaust gases toward a rear of the aircraft. Fences extending outwardly from the surface and proximate to the exit plane of the engine cowling are configured to guide the exhaust gases along at least a portion of the airfoil surface, thereby restricting spanwise movement of the gases and increasing the Coanda Effect exhibited by the gases, thereby increasing the amount of lift produced along the surface of the airfoil. Such techniques may be used in short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) flying-wing aircraft has a pair of thrust-vectoring propulsion units (2, 3; 4, 5) mounted fore and aft of the aircraft pitch axis (PA) on strakes (6, 7) at opposite extremities of the wing-structure (1), with the fore unit (2; 4) below, and the aft unit (3; 5) above, the wing-structure (1). The propulsion units (2-5) are pivoted to the strakes (6, 7), either directly or via arms (56), for individual angular displacement for thrust-vectored maneuvering of the aircraft in yaw, pitch and roll and for hover and forward and backward flight. When arms (56) are employed, the arms (56) of fore and aft propulsion units (52,54; 53,55) are intercoupled via chain drives (57-60) or linkages (61). The wing-structure (1; 51 ; 78) may have fins (47;84), slats (81) and flaps (82) and other aerodynamic control-surfaces, and enlarged strakes (84) may incorporate rudder surfaces (80).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a short take-off and landing/vertical take-off and landing aircraft that stores required take-off power in the form of primarily an electric fan engine, and secondarily in the form of an internal combustion engine, wherein the combined power of the electric fan and internal combustion engines can cause the STOL/VTOL A/C to take-off in substantially less amount of time and space than other STOL/VTOL A/C, and further wherein the transition from vertical to horizontal thrust is carefully executed to rapidly rise from the take-off position to a forward flight position, thereby minimizing the necessity for a larger electric fan engine.

Abstract: A vehicle including a fuselage having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, two Ducted Fan lift-producing propellers carried by the fuselage on each side of the transverse axis, a pilot's compartment formed in the fuselage between the lift-producing propellers and substantially aligned with one side of the fuselage, a payload bay formed in the fuselage between the lift-producing propellers and opposite the pilot's compartment, and two pusher fans located at the rear of the vehicle. Many variations are described enabling the vehicle to be used not only as a VTOL vehicle, but also as a multi-function utility vehicle for performing many diverse functions including hovercraft and ATV functions. Also described is an Unmanned version of the vehicle. Also described are unique features applicable in any single or multiple ducted fans and VTOL vehicles.

Abstract: An aircraft having a lift/propulsion unit which includes a power unit such as a turboshaft engine which drives a fan through a transmission mechanism. The fan discharges to vectoring nozzles which can be independently swivelled to provide lift or propulsion thrust. An output shaft of the transmission mechanism serves as the main shaft of a motor/generator of modular form. The motor/generator can act as a generator to charge an electrical storage device such as a battery, or as a motor to drive the fan, either alone or to supplement the output of engine. Reaction control nozzles are provided at extremities of the aircraft to provide stabilising thrust. The aircraft is capable of vertical take off and hovering, with the vectoring nozzles swivelled to a lift position, and forward thrust with the vectoring nozzles swivelled to a propulsion position.

Abstract: An aircraft has a wing 10 supporting at its underside a gas turbine engine 13. A jet pipe 14 of the engine has an exhaust nozzle 15 of rectangular flow area defined by upper and lower panels 16,17 and end walls 18. The upper panel, which is a part common to the nozzle and to a trailing edge portion of the wing, comprises a pair of flaps 20,21 which are pivotal between a position of alignment with the wing 10 and a position in which they are inclined to the wing. A part of the gas flowing through the jet pipe is diverted through a passage 25 into a passage 26 defined between the flaps 20,21 so as to entrain and accelerate air 26A flowing over the wing 10. This increases the lift of the wing at the rear thereof and also increases the thrust developed at the nozzle 15. This in turn helps to compensate for a nose-up moment on the aircraft arising from the thrust 13D2 of the engine passing forward of the centre of gravity 9A of the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft having a gas turbine engine with vectorable cold and hot nozzles. The aircraft is provided with a ducting in the wing which extends from an inlet facing downwards to an outlet in the upper surface of the wing directed rearwardly. The cold vectorable nozzles of the engine are designed so that they can be swung from a vertical downward position to provide vertical lift to a horizontal position directed rearwardly to produce forward thrust, to a position where they are directed upwardly and discharged into the ducting 24. In this way, the air discharged through the outlet of the ducting 24 enhances the aerodynamic lift produced by the wing at slower speeds by inducing the air flow over the wing. In addition, the forward component of the thrust produced in the ducting provides a forward thrust on the aircraft, whilst additional forward thrust is produced by swiveling the hot nozzles.

Abstract: A fixed-wing VTOL aircraft features a forward-swept wing configuration coupled with a tripod arrangement of the engines (two forward, one rear), a forward-swept empennage or tail assembly, and a forward canard. The engines and wings/empennage are located relative to each other such that the engine outlet nozzles, which pivot downwardly to provide lift-off thrust, are minimally covered by the wings/empennage, if at all. The wings and empennage may include lifting fans to supplement lift and provide pitch and/or roll control.

Abstract: A vehicle, comprising: a vehicle frame; a duct carried by the vehicle frame with the longitudinal axis of the duct perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame; a propeller rotatably mounted within the duct about the longitudinal axis of the duct to force an ambient fluid through from an inlet at the upper end of the duct through an exit at the lower end of the duct, and thereby produce an upward lift force applied to the vehicle; a first plurality of substantially parallel, spaced vanes non-pivotally mounted across at least the inlet end of the duct; and fluidic means for affecting the ambient fluid flow around the vanes to generate horizontal force components to the lift force applied to the vehicle.

Abstract: An airborne vehicle having a wing-body which defines a wing-body axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the wing-body axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends. A propulsion system is provided comprising one or more pairs of propulsion devices, each pair comprising a first propulsion device mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a first side of a plane including the wing-body axis, and a second propulsion device mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a second side of the plane including the wing-body axis. A direction of thrust of the first propulsion device can be adjusted independently of the direction of thrust of the second propulsion device and/or a magnitude of thrust of the first propulsion device can be adjusted independently of the magnitude of thrust of the second propulsion device.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprises (1) a fuselage having a front end, a rear end and two lateral sides, the fuselage defining a substantially horizontal central longitudinal axis of the aircraft; (2) an aircraft tail arranged at the rear end of the fuselage and including a rudder and an elevator on each side of the fuselage with movable surfaces for controlling the aircraft; and (3) a wing on each side of the fuselage having a front edge, a trailing edge and an upper surface extending from the front edge to the trailing edge. Means are provided for increasing the speed of an airstream flowing over the upper surface of each wing.

Abstract: A flying apparatus having a thrust directing wing is disclosed. The flying apparatus can include a wing that receives a thrust flow from a thrust flow generator, and selectively redirect the flow in at least one of a plurality of directions. The wing can redirect the thrust flow so as to generate vertical thrust, forward thrust, and combinations thereof. The thrust flow generator can include a gas turbine engine, which can include two rotating shafts and a common burner, with each shaft coupling a compressor with a turbine.

Abstract: A vertical take-off vehicle includes two thermoreactors/turbine engines having a rectangular air inlet opening into a positive-displacement rotary compressor supplying compressed air to a tank connected to (i) a combustion chamber whose exhaust gases actuate a compressor-driving turbine and discharge onto the fixed rear wing upper surface, and (ii) the combustion chamber of the main engine whose exhaust gases discharge directly onto the wing upper surface, the variable incidence of which, in take-off mode, generates a lift force adding to the forces that develop on the front wings. In take-off mode, the variable-geometry upper surfaces of the front wings have a maximum camber onto which the exhaust gases produced in an internal combustion chamber flow at great speed. In cruise mode, the combustion chamber is off and the upper surface returns to a reduced camber position as the rear wing returns to an incidence optimizing total drag and lift forces.

Abstract: System for tilting a power unit (4) of an aircraft, said power unit (4) being located in the rear portion of the fuselage (1) of the aircraft, said system comprising a tilting unit (21) and a pivoting unit (6), with said tilting unit (21) permitting the tilting of the power unit (4) in a plane parallel to the vertical plane of the aircraft via the pivoting unit (6), giving rise to deflection of the exhaust gases from power unit (4), thus providing a vectorial thrust controllable independently for each power unit (4) of the aircraft, optimum for each phase of flight or manoeuvre of said aircraft, said component of vector thrust being deflected angularly in a plane parallel to the vertical plane of the aircraft and relative to the longitudinal axis of said aircraft.

Abstract: A cross-flow propulsion mechanism for use in providing propulsion to an aircraft, includes a housing defining an inlet, a rotor compartment, and an outlet. The inlet is adapted to receive an inflow of air along a first longitudinal axis. The rotor is mounted within the rotor compartment and adapted to receive the airflow introduced into the housing through the inlet and rotate about a second longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The outlet is adapted to receive the airflow processed through the rotor and exhaust air along a third longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The propulsion mechanism can be applied in a personal aircraft, an STOL aircraft, and a hybrid automobile and aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yaw control device for an aircraft fitted with a supersonic nozzle having a rectangular or flat section comprising a supersonic throat extended by a diverging portion in which supersonic flow occurs. In order to enable the aircraft to be controlled in yaw in the absence of a vertical fin, the device of the invention makes use of jet control surfaces in the form of airfoils disposed in the diverging portion of the nozzle. The control surfaces are movable about respective pivot axes in order to generate a lateral force when in a deflected position, so as to enable the aircraft to turn about its yaw axis.

Abstract: Rotorcraft including an airframe having a fuselage extending between a forward and an aft end and a powerplant producing high-pressure fluid. The rotorcraft includes a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the airframe and having a plurality of rotor blades extending from a hub. Each rotor blade has a base, a tip, a leading edge extending between the base and tip, and a trailing edge extending between the base and tip opposite the leading edge. Each rotor blade has a jet adjacent its trailing edge in fluid communication with the powerplant by way of a fluid path. Each jet is adjustable between an open position in which the jet allows the high-pressure fluid from the power plant to pass through the jet and out of the rotor blade and a closed position in which the jet prevents the high-pressure fluid from passing through the jet and out of the rotor blade.

Abstract: A ducted propulsion vector system that vectors thrust generated from ducted fan powered aircraft. The system has hinged duct flaps may be vectored from +10 degrees up and turned through ?90 degrees downward. Vectored downward 90 degrees, the flaps vector thrust enabling vertical/short takeoff and landing of an aircraft. Hover control is facilitated by internal mounted vanes in line of the thrust stream. The duct flaps are transitioned at operator's input to enable the aircraft to achieve forward flight.

Abstract: A high-speed vertical take-off and land aircraft includes a body with an engine supported by the body. A fan assembly is also carried by the body. The fan assembly includes a hub and a plurality of blades to provide vertical lift for the aircraft. A nozzle ring is provided on the fan assembly. The nozzle ring includes an annular nozzle array. Hot gases from the engine are fed to the nozzle array by a feed duct. A bearing mechanism supports the fan assembly on the body. The bearing mechanism is carried in a work space. A brush seal assembly thermally isolates the work space from the hot exhaust gases passing through the feed duct to the nozzle array.

Abstract: A ducted air power plant, comprising a motor driven fan (7) situated in a duct (4), the fan (7) having an air intake side and in operation providing a high pressure air stream in the duct, and the fan being located adjacent air splitter mechanism (18), the air splitter mechanism (18) being arranged to divert the air stream into two or more subsidiary streams for delivery to respective jet nozzles (9) of the plant. The plant may be used in a vehicle such as an aircraft in order to provide a vertical take-off and hover capability as well a level flight power source.

Abstract: A shrouded nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine exhaust comprises a shrouded nozzle and duct means. The exhaust nozzle is translatable from a first position, wherein the exit plane of the nozzle lies upstream of the exit aperture of the shroud, to a second position, wherein the exit plane of the exhaust duct lies substantially downstream of the exit aperture of the shroud. In this second position, the use of reheat or thrust vectoring may be used without damage to the shroud.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle is mounted on the airframe downstream from the powerplant for selectively directing powerplant exhaust to exit the aircraft at an angle between about rearward and downward. An electricity source mounted on the airframe powers a magnetically driven fan positioned in front of the powerplant in the fuselage.

Abstract: A method of generating lift for a vehicle including a gas turbine engine having a combustor, a core flow heated by the combustor, and a bypass flow which bypasses the combustor. The method includes segregating at least a portion of the core flow from the bypass flow, directing the segregated portion of the core flow in a first direction to generate lift for the vehicle, segregating at least a portion of the bypass flow from the core flow, and directing the segregated a portion of the bypass flow in a second direction to generate lift for the vehicle.

Abstract: An aircraft capable of making short takeoffs and landings includes essentially a fuselage, a wing secured to the fuselage, a front horizontal stabilizer secured to the fuselage on the front end of the fuselage and at least two jet engines for propulsion. According to the architecture proposed, the propulsion engines are arranged side by side above the fuselage in a rear part of the fuselage with a width at least equal to the width of the propulsion group, a fuselage flap device is arranged in the back of the fuselage so that the fuselage flaps adopt at least a position in which the flaps are considerably in a horizontal plane and take at least a high-lift position in which the flaps are turned downward in such a way that the blast created by the jet engines is channeled towards the top surface of the fuselage flaps to induce a blowing effect.

Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft design particularly suitable as a full-sized aircraft or remote controlled (RC) model aircraft is disclosed. The invention employs lightweight, high strength materials to reduce the power requirements of the propulsion plant. A preferred system of the invention comprises one internal combustion engine able to spit shaft power to four fan units. The fan units further employ counter rotating fan blades for stability. Separate horizontal and vertical tilting mechanisms delivered to the fan units are additionally disclosed. A variation in design is further included wherein electric motors provide the necessary shaft power.

Abstract: A balanced thrust vectoring system for an aircraft designed to provide even weight distribution, simple thrust vectoring, and hover stability. The system includes a main diverter that connects to a jet output port. Located inside the diverter is a 4 way splitter that divides the diverter into four equal volumes. Attached to the diverter and adjacent to the two upper volumes are two front upward extending ducts. Attached to the diverter and adjacent to the two lower volumes are two rear upward extending ducts. Each duct includes an upper bend that and diagonally aligned nozzle opening. Each duct has only two bends which help vector the exhaust downward in an efficient manner. The diameter of each duct is consistent to allow their entire length to maximize air flow.

Abstract: An STOL or VTOL winged aircraft comprises a fuselage and a fixed wing attached to the fuselage and extending outward from the two lateral sides thereof, forming one wing component extending outward from one side of the fuselage and a second wing component extending outward from the opposite side of the fuselage. At least one “thruster” is disposed in each wing component to provide vertical lift to the aircraft when the aircraft is stationary or moving forward only slowly. The thruster includes a shaft mounted for rotation in the respective wing component and extending substantially parallel to the wing axis and a plurality of fan blades attached to the shaft for movement of air. A shroud is preferably arranged in each wing component, adjacent to the fan blades, for directing the airflow downward or rearward.

Abstract: A module (10) for use with a bypass turbofan engine. The module comprises a hot flow channel through which the hot gas flow generated by the engine can flow and a bypass flow channel (14) through which the bypass air generated by the engine can flow. Part of the bypass air may be re-directed to be exhausted from the module at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the module so as to create vertical thrust. The hot flow channel may be separated from the bypass flow channel by a porous separator (12) that allows a degree of mixing between the hot gas flowing in the hot gas flow channel and the cold gas flowing in the cold gas flow channel.

Abstract: An airborne craft is provided comprising an aerodynamic lifting device having a radial drum fan and a thrust vectoring shroud. The radial drum or vertical axis fan comprises a fan with a rotor, the rotor having a rotational axis and comprising a plurality of rotor blades disposed in an annular ring about the rotational axis and a driving means for the rotor such that, on operation of the driving means, lift is generated.

Abstract: A flow path splitter duct is provided. The flow path splitter duct includes a main hub, a first outlet hub and a second outlet hub. The main hub has a plurality of inlet ports each being separated by at least one wall. The first outlet hub has a plurality of first duct outlet ports, each of the first duct outlet ports are in fluid communication with only one of the corresponding plurality of inlet ports. The second outlet hub has a plurality of second duct outlet ports, each of the second duct outlet ports are in fluid communication with only one of the corresponding plurality of inlet ports, wherein engine exhaust gas that enters one of the plurality of inlet ports is simultaneously diverted to only one of the first duct outlet ports and to only one of the second duct outlet ports. A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is also provided that includes the flow path splitter duct. A method of using the same is also provided.

Abstract: The aircraft incorporates a single ducted propeller. The fuselage Bridges over the ducted propeller assembly, and is shaped in a way that the incoming air can smoothly flow into the propeller area. The duct has an aerodynamically shaped frontal area, and an aft extension, which forms the tail section. The wings are attached to the side of the duct. The ducted propeller assembly also contains louvers, which run span wise, to redirect the outgoing air in horizontal direction. During vertical take-off or landing, the propeller has a horizontal plane of rotation, after take-off the whole craft entirely tilts forward approximately 26 degrees to transition into horizontal wing born flight. During vertical flight, the aircraft is controlled by control louvers installed inside the ducted propeller assembly in the propeller slipstream.

Abstract: Aircraft having thrust vectoring for switchably providing upper surface blowing. The aircraft generally includes a wing and an engine. The engine can be rotatably supported to supporting structure to allow the engine to be controllably rotated relative to the wing, and/or the engine can include a thrust vectoring nozzle. The engine's thrust vectoring capabilities allow the exhaust flow to be controllably vectored to switch on or off upper surface blowing depending on the aircraft's phase of operation. During a first phase, the exhaust flow can be vectored to flow across the upper wing surface to provide upper surface blowing to augment lift. During a second phase, the exhaust flow can be discharged generally downstream or rearwardly. The engine is positioned relative to the wing such that the exhaust flow does not provide upper surface blowing during the second phase.

Abstract: This patent concerns VTOL propulsion systems that develop a forward flow of air through the air intake duct(s), by the methods of a internal duct system, reversing the rotation of the fan, or a variable pitch (thrust reversing) fan.

Abstract: A vertical take off and land (VTOL) jet aircraft may have a jet engine mounted in a forward portion of the aircraft. A thrust deflection assembly may be provided rearward of the jet engine, and include a cascade and control box for deflecting thrust during vertical flight of the aircraft. By manipulating the cascade and control box, the roll, yaw and pitch of the aircraft during vertical flight may be controlled. In addition, ailerons, a rudder and elevators may be provided for controlling roll, yaw and pitch during forward flight. A pilot control input apparatus is also provided, which receives pilot input regarding desired roll, yaw and pitch of the aircraft. The pilot control input is operatively associated with a control mixer, which controls the control box, ailerons, rudder and elevators in accordance with the desired roll, yaw and pitch of the aircraft. As a result, the pilot uses the same control input apparatus for vertical and forward flight.

Abstract: A VSTOL vehicle including a fuselage with two pairs of ducted rotors fully enclosed fore and aft of the fuselage respectively. The fuselage is aerodynamically shaped to generate lift in forward flight. All four ducts are configured such that their center axes are at angles tilted sufficiently forward from the vertical axis of the fuselage. Each ducted rotor is powered by one engine inside the duct behind the rotor. All four rotors and engine shafts rotates counterclockwise, generating substantial angular momentum for gyroscopic effect. Variable inlets of the ducted rotors and vector thrusting of the airflow out of the ducted rotors combine to provide efficient power and control during all phases of flight. The vehicle is configured to meet motor vehicle requirements to drive on streets.

Abstract: A VTOL vehicle including a fuselage with two foldable wings, two tiltable nacelles attached to the wings, a vertical stabilizer, a horizontal stabilizer, and two auxiliary thrusters. Each nacelle contains a system of vanes located at the rear opening thereof, and actuators are provided for extending and retracting the vanes in conjunction with nacelle tilting mechanisms to deflect the airflow over a predetermined range of angles from the horizontal. Each nacelle also contains two rotary engines, each of which directly drives a fan. The fans face each other and operate in counter-rotating directions at the same rotational speed. An alternative embodiment includes two additional nacelles attached to the fuselage instead of having the auxiliary thrusters. A redundant computerized flight control system maintains stability of the vehicle as it transitions from one flight mode to another.