An intentional fluid manipulation apparatus (IFMA) assembly with a first thrust apparatus that imparts a first induced velocity to a local free stream flow during a nominal operation requirement. The first thrust apparatus creates a streamtube. A second thrust apparatus is located in a downstream portion of the streamtube. The second thrust apparatus imparts a second induced velocity to the local free stream flow. The second induced velocity at the location of the second thrust apparatus has a component in a direction opposite to the direction of the first induced velocity at the location of the second thrust apparatus.

Disclosed herein is a VTOL tilt-wing aircraft that serves as a 4-6 passenger airliner for scheduled service between city centers and that is optimized for travel distances from 100-500 miles fully loaded with passengers and fuel. The VTOL aircraft solves technical, cost, and time problems inherent in other forms of transportation, including, but not limited to, rail, passenger airlines, and helicopters. The VTOL aircraft (1) takes off and lands like a helicopter, (2) flies fast like a jet, and (3) costs less than or comparable to a helicopter.

A convertible ducted fan engine and mounting system. The convertible ducted fan engine has a shroud encircling a mechanical fan. The convertible ducted fan engine includes a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan rotates freely with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow, and a drive-wheel configuration in which the shroud rotates about the rotational axis. The mounting system includes at least one gimbal ring and may include a circular track system thereby enabling the convertible engine to be oriented in any direction.

The present invention comprises a novel propulsion method and apparatus for personal air vehicles generally consisting of gyroscopic movable assembly containing a gyroscope flywheel that produces thrust. In a preferred embodiment the gyroscope is hubless. The gyroscope flywheel integrates permanent magnets along its perimeter ring while spokes with an airfoil cross-section and positive incidence angle create airflow when rotated. The spokes couple the gyroscope's perimeter ring with a smaller central hubless ring. Proximate to the gyroscope's flywheel is an electromagnet fixed assembly that produces phasing electromagnetic fields that rotate the gyroscopic movable assembly. The invention comprises a self-contained apparatus with no external motor because the assembly is a motor with a self-stabilizing gyroscope that produces directional airflow that can be used to propel air, land and sea vehicles.

Vertical take-off, landing and horizontal straight flight of an aircraft includes activation a plurality of front and rear lifting in-ring propellers, each of which is connected to a respective independently operating electric motor. In addition, horizontal straight flight of the aircraft includes activation of additional left and right pushing in-ring propellers, each of which is connected to an independently operating electric motor. The front and rear lifting in-ring propellers are respectively positioned generally horizontally and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The right pushing in-ring propeller and the left pushing in-ring propeller are positioned generally vertically and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one fore conduit and at least one tail conduit are fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are fluidly coupled to the fore conduit, coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element is coupled to the tail portion. A surface of the primary airfoil element is located directly downstream of the first and second fore ejectors such that the fluid from the first and second fore ejectors flows over the such surface.

According to one implementation, a rotating device includes at least one ring, at least one motor and a power transmission mechanism. The least one ring rotates in a circumference direction. The at least one ring includes no hub for housing a motor inside the at least one ring. The at least one motor generates power for rotating the at least one ring. The power transmission mechanism transmits the power to the at least one ring.

A ducted fan propulsion comprises a duct with a cutout and a movable duct section that is moved between a retracted position within the cutout and am extended position relative to the duct. An actuator is disposed within the duct wall and is connected to the movable duct section with actuating linkage. A control linkage connects the movable duct section to the cutout edges. The movable duct section is extended when the ducted fan propulsion transitions from vertical takeoff to a level flight or transitions from level flight to a vertical landing. The movable duct section is retracted into cutout an becomes integrated with the duct during level flight.

An aircraft has a supporting structure and a shell that can be filled with a gas and which is tensioned by the supporting structure. The supporting structure includes a plurality of rod or tube-shaped sections which define a circular, oval or polygonal main clamping plane for the shell.

A fitting for securing a rotor blade in pivotable engagement with a yoke that is coupled to a mast of an aircraft for rotation therewith about a mast axis has a body that extends from an inboard end to an outboard end. The body of the fitting has an opening that extends into the body from the outboard end and that is adapted to receive a root end of the blade. The body further has a first bearing race that is defined along an outer surface of the body and is located between the inboard and outboard ends. The body further has an array of apertures that is located between the inboard end and the first bearing race, each aperture adapted to receive a respective fastener for retaining the blade within the opening.