Systems and associated methods for rapid integration and control of payloads carded by a multi-mode, unmanned vehicle configured to accommodate a variety of payloads of varying size, shape, and interface and control characteristics. Mechanical, power, signal, and logical interfaces to a variety of payloads operate to enable environmental protection, efficient placement and connection to the vehicle, and control of those payloads in multiple environmental modes as well as operational modes (including in air, on the surface of water surface, and underwater).

Systems and associated methods for rapid integration and control of payloads carded by a multi-mode, unmanned vehicle configured to accommodate a variety of payloads of varying size, shape, and interface and control characteristics. Mechanical, power, signal, and logical interfaces to a variety of payloads operate to enable environmental protection, efficient placement and connection to the vehicle, and control of those payloads in multiple environmental modes as well as operational modes (including in air, on the surface of water surface, and underwater).

A propulsion system for a vehicle or toy vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises rotary drive means for driving the vehicle along ground, the rotary drive means operating in a plane and having a peripheral ground-engagement part. The system further comprises a rotor comprising one or more rotor blades rotatable about a rotor axis for producing thrust, wherein the rotary drive means and the rotor are positioned relative to each other so that during rotation of the rotor, the rotor blades pass through the plane of the rotary drive means, inside the peripheral ground-engagement part. In this way, the rotor blades are protected by the peripheral ground-engagement part.

A propulsion system for a vehicle or toy vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises rotary drive means for driving the vehicle along ground, the rotary drive means operating in a plane and having a peripheral ground-engagement part. The system further comprises a rotor comprising one or more rotor blades rotatable about a rotor axis for producing thrust, wherein the rotary drive means and the rotor are positioned relative to each other so that during rotation of the rotor, the rotor blades pass through the plane of the rotary drive means, inside the peripheral ground-engagement part. In this way, the rotor blades are protected by the peripheral ground-engagement part.

An aerodynamic lift enhancing system for increasing aerodynamic lift generated by a body of an automotive flying vehicle is disclosed. The automotive flying vehicle includes a vehicle body enclosing a passenger compartment and having an upper surface at least partially defined by a hood, a roof extending over the passenger compartment, and a front windshield disposed between the hood and roof. The front windshield includes a leading edge positioned proximate a trailing edge of the hood and a trailing edge positioned adjacent the roof. The automotive flying vehicle includes wings extending laterally outward from the vehicle body. The aerodynamic lift enhancing system includes an air discharge nozzle located upstream from the leading edge of the front windshield, the air discharge nozzle operable to discharge a stream of air over the upper surface of the vehicle.

An aerodynamic lift enhancing system for increasing aerodynamic lift generated by a body of an automotive flying vehicle is disclosed. The automotive flying vehicle includes a vehicle body enclosing a passenger compartment and having an upper surface at least partially defined by a hood, a roof extending over the passenger compartment, and a front windshield disposed between the hood and roof. The front windshield includes a leading edge positioned proximate a trailing edge of the hood and a trailing edge positioned adjacent the roof. The automotive flying vehicle includes wings extending laterally outward from the vehicle body. The aerodynamic lift enhancing system includes an air discharge nozzle located upstream from the leading edge of the front windshield, the air discharge nozzle operable to discharge a stream of air over the upper surface of the vehicle.

“Battery operated flying car with enclosed motors for human transportation” is machine that can carry humans and looks like a real flying car. The current problem with implementing this is resolved by using ducted motors with grilles around it. By covering top and bottom of car with grilles we are able to negate effect of completely covered motors. By providing grilles around motors we ensure safety of humans around it, this not only avoids direct contact but also provides continuous air flow into motors to push out from the other side. Loss of efficiency due to covered grilles are countered by use of two additional front and two rear motors. Vertically mounted front motors push air into bottom motors which significantly improves the lift capacity of the flying car. Vertically mounted rear motor pumps air out of the car and thus aids in forward movement of the flying car.

“Battery operated flying car with enclosed motors for human transportation” is machine that can carry humans and looks like a real flying car. The current problem with implementing this is resolved by using ducted motors with grilles around it. By covering top and bottom of car with grilles we are able to negate effect of completely covered motors. By providing grilles around motors we ensure safety of humans around it, this not only avoids direct contact but also provides continuous air flow into motors to push out from the other side. Loss of efficiency due to covered grilles are countered by use of two additional front and two rear motors. Vertically mounted front motors push air into bottom motors which significantly improves the lift capacity of the flying car. Vertically mounted rear motor pumps air out of the car and thus aids in forward movement of the flying car.

Ground vehicles that may include flight capability are described. In some examples, a vehicle frame may include a main support and at least two auxiliary supports, with the main support disposed substantially along the centerline of the vehicle, and the at least two auxiliary supports extending upward and outward from the main support. In some examples, vehicles may include an inflatable airfoil, such as a ram air parachute, that includes stiffeners on or about a leading edge of the airfoil. In some examples, vehicles may include a front wheelbase attached to the main support and/or auxiliary supports, a rear wheelbase attached to the main support and/or auxiliary supports, a ground steering mechanism connected to the front wheelbase and/or the rear wheelbase, a motor connected to a propeller, and a propeller shroud at least partially encircling the propeller.

An aeronautical car comprises a ground-travel system including at least one traction device, an air-travel system including at least one flight mechanism configured to be selectively moved between a first position when the aeronautical car is in a driving mode and a second position when the aeronautical car is in a flying mode, and a weather manipulation device. The weather manipulation device may be configured to manipulate at least one aspect of a weather condition while the aeronautical car is in the air.