Abstract: A ground effect flying craft utilizing a pressure cavity (10) for low speed support on a static air cushion. The cavity is bounded by a streamlined aft body (18), a fore body (24), and side plates (22) which allow for low drag and high lift at cruise speed on a dynamic air cushion. Static lift pressure and dynamic thrust are provided by a fixed dual purpose propulsor (20'). Flow diverting devices or auxiliary power units are not needed for transition from static lift to dynamic flight.

Abstract: A remote-control flight vehicle structure includes an inner housing fixedly mounted, an outer housing rotatably mounted on the inner housing along a vertical axis thereof, an annular wing fixedly mounted on the outer periphery of the outer housing to rotate therewith and inclined with the horizontal plane about a first included angle, a plurality of baffles each fixedly mounted on the bottom portion of the annular wing along the radial direction thereof and each inclined with the annular wing about a second included angle, a platform fixedly mounted in the inner housing, a motor mounted on the platform, and a rotary axle including a first end portion rotatably mounted in the motor and a second end portion extending through the inner housing and fixed to the outer housing for rotating the outer housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground-effect vehicle for the rapid transport of people and/or freight, with at least one body, a drive train and ground-effect bearing surfaces, a guidance system for directional control and a drive system on the body and/or bearing surface in the form of propeller or fan drives. The aim of the invention is to provide a ground-effect vehicle which is inexpensive to build, avoids the prior art drawbacks in particular and is especially economical to operate. According to the invention, the ground-effect vehicle consists of at least one aircraft fuselage (1), the ground-effect bearing surfaces (2) are secured directly at least to parts of the existing bearing surfaces (6) of the aircraft or at least on the existing spars (12) surrounding them or secured thereto beneath the existing bearing surfaces (6) and that the drive system (4; 15; 16) has means which increase the power and/or reduce friction in the take-off and landing phases.

Abstract: A body lift airplane assembly including 1) a main air lift body assembly of substantial length and width; 2) a landing gear/wheel assembly retractably connected to the main air lift body assembly; 3) a fixed wing assembly secured to and extended above the main air lift body assembly and having a fixed wing member of a length equal to the width of the main air lift body assembly; 4) an engine propulsion power assembly having a pair of spaced jet engine pod assemblies mounted within engine cut-out portions in outer edges of the main air lift body assembly; and 5) a fin and rudder assembly of a V-shape connected to a central rear portion of the main air lift body assembly. The main air lift body assembly includes a main body assembly having outer peripheral side and rear edges formed with downwardly extended arcuate air lift portions to provide air lift characteristics to the overall main air lift body assembly.

Abstract: The hybrid dirigible craft belongs to the category of flying vehicles which use an air cushion and take off and land at any type of airfield. The air of the invention is to design an improved dirigible craft capable of taking off from and landing on water and low-load bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil unit is described which enables an aircraft to ascend and descend vertically. Multiple turbine airfoil units may be arranged within a large disk-like structure and thereby overcome size limitations placed on helicopters by their rotors. One or more central engines providing a flow of air under pressure relative to ambient air supplies power to one or multiple turbine airfoil units. The pressurized air from the engines is funneled into the containing disk-like structure and distributed to all turbine airfoil units encompassed therein. The supplied air acts on the turbines to rotate the airfoils and thus create lift. The lift is transmitted to the disk-like structure and to the remainder of the aircraft by bearings between the turbine airfoil unit and the containing portion of the disk-like structure. The large disk-like structure is known in the popular culture as a flying saucer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mass transit method including a docking terminal where passengers are loaded onto a craft with integral passenger pod. The craft lifts vertically from the docking terminal until it reaches an appropriate commuting altitude within 1,000 feet of the ground at which time the craft will fly to a second docking terminal and vertically descend to the second terminal for unloading of passengers. The commuting routes are networked to create an urban-suburban-rural mass transit system. The utility area of the craft can be detached and replaced. For instance, a passenger pod can be interchanged with a cargo, an emergency medical service (rescue) or a military unit pod for an innovative and versatile means of transportation.

Abstract: An airborne vehicle generally comprises a body, a lifting mechanism for lifting the vehicle, and a steering mechanism operable by a user for steering the vehicle. The lifting mechanism comprises first and second counter-rotating propellers mounted in a front end and a rear end, respectively, of the vehicle body. The lifting mechanism further comprises a front air intake and a rear air intake mounted in proximity to and above the first and second propellers, respectively. The steering mechanism comprises a plurality of louvers mounted on a bottom of the vehicle body below the first and second propellers. The operator uses a steering mechanism in a passenger position to adjust inclinations of the louvers so as to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A reusable space craft having a disk-shaped casing which receives buoyancy upon horizontal travel through a gas atmosphere and three drive systems on the casing. A first drive system utilizes counter-rotating rotors driven by jet engines on the periphery. A second drive system utilizes a rocket rotor which can swing out from the both of the casing into an inclined position. The third drive system is a main thruster rocket at the center of the bottom fueled by an Si.sub.5 to Si.sub.9 silane propellant.

Abstract: A transport plane with stub tail, which is preferably propelled by two jet engines. The intake air is fed to the engines directly integrated in the fuselage tail via a diffusor, the diffusor is a short diffusor. The air obtained by boundary layer suction via a suction slot with a combination of ejectors and diffusors is fed into the rest of the intake air.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (10) capable of ground travel and air travel is described. The vehicle provides for movement over the ground by wheel motors (20) mounted at each of four ground engaging wheels (14 and 16). The wheel motors are supplied with electric power by a battery pack (24) or an electric generator (32) powered by a combustion engine (22). The combustion engine is also geared to vertically oriented ducted fans (40) and a horizontally oriented ducted fan or propeller (76) for providing the vehicle with the capability of travel through the air. Pressure jets (62), supplied with compressed air from a compressor (66) driven by the combustion engine, augment the lift of the ducted fans and provide steering for the vehicle. The vehicle can also be provided with photo-electric cells (82) for supplying a portion of the electric power for the vehicle.

Abstract: An aerodynamic vehicle includes a central body with a vertical axis, an outer wall and a bottom wall, a first rotatable disk concentric with the central body axis and rotatable in a first direction, a second rotatable disk concentric with the central body axis and rotatable in a second direction opposing the first direction, first and second blade members respectively mounted in the first and second disks draw fluid radially inward and vertically downward to compress the fluid into a funnel-shaped fluid passageway. Selectively vectorable nozzle members are in communication with the passageway for discharging the compressed fluid below the central body to provide lift for the aerodynamic vehicle. Jet engines are mounted on the device for providing additional thrust and for generating hydraulic and electric power for the vechicle control system.

Abstract: A basic airfoil has its operating performance improved by incorporating one or more apertures in the airfoil adjacent its trailing edge. These apertures extend from the upper surface of the airfoil down through to the lower surface of the airfoil. The entry port and the exit port of these apertures has a greater circumference than that of the throat circumference which is intermediate thereto. This structure forms a venturi having a vertical axis. Spaced below the throat of the aperture are a plurality of air nozzles that communicate with an air plenum chamber within the airfoil. A source of pressurized air is connected to the plenum chamber. The leading edge of the airfoil causes air to flow across both the upper surface and lower surface of the airfoil. The venturi creates a strong suction on the upper surface of the airfoil to enhance the airfoil's pressure differential.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing lift in a flying vehicle comprising a top deck of a flying vehicle having a cylindrical well formed thereinto, a discoidal member positioned within the cylindrical well, an air intake system formed in the center of the discoidal member for drawing air through the discoidal member for use elsewhere in the flying vehicle, and a labyrinth member formed on the periphery of the discoidal member for restricting the clearance between the discoidal member and the wall of the cylindrical well. The discoidal member is adapted and powered for rotating within the well. The top deck has a generally flat exterior surface. A fluid passageway extends through the interior of the flying vehicle for passing air from the air intake system. The discoidal member has a flat top surface generally parallel to the top deck of the flying vehicle. The top surface of the discoidal member is positioned within the well below the upper surface of the top deck.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hovercraft having a pair of air cushions, associated with each air cushion is a rotatable fan which partly produces lifting force and partly propels and maneuvers the craft. The fans are mounted perpendicular to the direction of travel, peripherally on the craft, wherewith the forces produced have long moment arms, and consequently produce a strong turning torque. The fans are mounted on the craft in such a manner that their orientation may be adjusted both horizontally and vertically with respect thereto.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a device for carrying and lifting loads and moving ame by aerodynamic lifting, rotary-wing aerial propulsion, having two coaxial rotors of same diameters rotating at the same speed and in reversed direction through a double crown wheel system which is driven by oppositely disposed rollers. The device includes a crown wheel operatively connected to two rotors which are driven by two rollers, one of which being driven by one or two motors mounted on the body. The internal crown wheel has a hub enabling external blades to be mounted in superimposed relationship.

Abstract: A hovering or VTOL aircraft with a propulsion unit using a fan in a shroud whose upper end is toroidally shaped and rotationally symmetrical with a convex curvature with a radius of curvature between 0.2 r.sub.f and 1 r.sub.f from a location 1.4 r.sub.f upstream of the blade plane to a location 0.2 r.sub.f downstream thereof. The blade, whose tip radius is r.sub.f has a twist at least from a range of .+-.0.25 r.sub.f around a mean radius between hub and tip to the tip such that the airflow velocity through the meridian increases outwardly from the hub of the fan toward the periphery of the fan.

Abstract: A surface effect vehicle comprises a hull of a generally rectangular shape concave at the front underside and contouring to a flat planing hull at the stern, an upper surface forming an airfoil, a passenger/operators cabin is mounted on top of the hull and support a ram wing and propulsion system.

Abstract: An air-cushion vehicle of the type having a flat rigid platform with rigid longitudinal walls attached to the platform. In such an air-cushion vehicle a plurality of transverse trough-shaped skirts are provided so as to form a space bounded by the skirt and the platform which, when supplied with higher pressure air, serves to provide an air cushion chamber. The vertical height of the air cushion chamber can be varied in accordance with the present invention by extending or retracting the material of the trough-shaped skirts by way of an adjustment mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises a skirt bar attached to each of two longitudinal edges of the skirt and a mechanism for moving the skirt bars sideways closer together or further apart, thus varying the skirt's vertical dimension.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a vehicle which is both lifted and propelled by air flow. The vehicle comprises an upper deck, a depending peripheral side wall and a flexible, perforated sheet secured beneath the bottom of the side wall, thereby defining an open plenum. A propeller in an air flow directing cowl seats atop the deck and part of the air flow is directed into the plenum and the remainder of the air flow is directed to move the vehicle. The underside of the upper deck disperses air in the plenum. Alternatively, the propeller is part of a duct which directs air into and disperses it around the plenum. The cowl includes an air dam for trapping reverse flowing air. A rudder directs the motion of the vehicle. The plenum narrows in width toward the front and diminishes in height away from the plenum inlet through the upper deck.

Abstract: A watercraft (10) operates as a conventional displacement vessel or as an airborne craft. In the airborne mode water is drawn upward through a drogue (18) by operation of a pump (42) which is driven by a motor (44). Pressurized water from the pump (42) is directed downward as water jets by nozzles (64-70). The reaction force on the nozzles (64-70) serves to lift the watercraft (10) above the surface of a body of water (16). The watercraft (10) is further equipped with fore and aft nozzles (84, 90) as well as transverse nozzles (86, 88) to provide full directional control and propulsion for the watercraft (10). A control computer (100) operates through a bus (102) to position the drogue (18) as well as control the thrust produced by the nozzles (64-70) and (84-90). The altitude of the watercraft (10) is measured by altimeters (94, 96). The height of forereached waves is measured by a wave height radar (92).

Abstract: This invention provides a system for launching aircraft into free flight regime regardless of runway conditions, wherein a sled of the self-powered air cushion vehicle type is configured in plan form so as to accept in temporarily locked relation thereupon and in combination therewith an airplane in such manner that a successful take-off run in mutually aerodynamically compatible regime may be accomplished in spite of surface problems with the runway. Upon attainment of airborne speed, under control of the pilot the aircraft lifts off the sled into full free flight; and thus is airborne albeit the runway is at the time unusable by conventional wheel-geared aircraft; for example, as the result of a previous bombing attack on the runway by enemy aircraft. The sled incorporates self-propelling and directional guidance means for retrieval/reuse purposes, as well as a take-off abort control system.

Abstract: A wing in ground effect (WIG) vehicle, the body of which is a low aspect io airfoil. Soft end plates allow for proper sealing of pressure below the wing while preventing the transmittal of wave action forces to the vehicle. Fin rudders and a dorsal fin provide turning control. Efflux from the propulsor engines can be split to flow both over and under the wing so that the vehicle will be capable of both rapid movement and hover over both land and water. Two designs are disclosed providing this vehicle with the ability to jump out of ground effect mode to avoid obstacles appearing in its flight path.

Abstract: A propeller driven vehicle, such as an air cushion hovercraft, comprising a hull, a teardrop shaped cabin mounted on the hull and a propeller arranged in front of the cabin. A gutter shaped obstructing plate is pivotally mounted to each side wall of the cabin and is movable between a horizontal and vertical position. When the obstructing plate is moved from its horizontal position to obstruct the air flow from the propeller around the side wall of the cabin, a pressure differential is created on the cabin which is effective in steering the vehicle.

Abstract: A rotor arrangement for an aircraft comprising two coaxially counter-rotatable rotators, each rotor being journaled freely rotatable about an imaginary axis of rotation common to both rotors on or through a fuselage part or a support member, each fuselage part or support member being either rigidly connected to or journaled on the fuselage, each rotor together with the other respective rotor or with the component part of the support member or fuselage part supporting the first mentioned rotor constituting an integral part of an electromotor by forming the counteracting parts of the electromotor ("rotor" and "stator") which rotate relative to one another by securing a plurality of poles of the electromotor to the respective rotor and by arranging on the other counter-rotating rotor or on the component part of the support member or fuselage part supporting the first mentioned rotor the corresponding poles of the electromotor facing toward the poles of the respective rotor such that a reciprocal field effect exi

Abstract: An air cushion landing system for aircraft, ground effect machines and the like utilizing boundary layer control around the outer sides of an inflated bag to improve its aerodynamic characteristics. This is achieved by air jets along the outside walls of the bag, the jets being normal or essentially tangential to the outside wall surface of the bag depending upon the aerodynamic effect desired. Preferably, the air jets are produced by simply permitting air, used to inflate the air cushion landing bag, to escape through orifices in the side walls of the bag.