A propulsion system assembly includes a propeller, a motor configured to drive the propeller to rotate, and a locking mechanism configured to detachably lock the propeller to the motor. The propeller includes one of a first body and a second body. The motor includes another one of the first body and the second body. The locking mechanism includes a coupling member including a femoral position groove, a fastener configured to fix the coupling member to the second body, and a locking member configured to lock the first body to the coupling member and the second body. A bottom portion of the first body that contacts the coupling member includes a protruding rib configured to fit with the femoral position groove to restrain the first body from rotating relative to the coupling member.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a propeller, a driving device, and an elastic abutting member sleeve. The propeller includes a blade base, a blade mounted on the blade base, and a first installation foolproof member disposed on the blade base. The driving device includes a main body, a driving shaft rotatable relative to the main body, a locking member disposed on the main body, and a second installation foolproof member disposed on the locking member. The driving device is coupled with the propeller. The elastic abutting member is coupled with the driving shaft and disposed between the main body and the blade base and abuts against the main body and the blade base.

An automated flying transport vehicle that capitalizes on the strengths and complexities of a fixed and rotary winged aircraft. The air transport vehicle comprises a body aerodynamically designed to generate lift and a plurality of rotors that can generate lift as well as forward thrust from which a fixed wing portion of the air transport vehicle will begin to generate additional lift allowing for a sustained flight.

An automated flying transport vehicle that capitalizes on the strengths and complexities of a fixed and rotary winged aircraft. The air transport vehicle comprises a body aerodynamically designed to generate lift and a plurality of rotors that can generate lift as well as forward thrust from which a fixed wing portion of the air transport vehicle will begin to generate additional lift allowing for a sustained flight.

Embodiments are directed to a rotor hub assembly comprising a yoke configured to attach rotor blades thereto, a single Hooke's joint configured to attach to, and transmit forces between, a mast and the yoke, and a spherical bearing coupled between the yoke and the mast. Two pillow blocks couple the single Hooke's joint to the yoke. An adapter sleeve is attached to the pillow blocks and is positioned to surround the spherical bearing. The adapter sleeve extends between the single Hooke's joint and the mast. A hub lock extension is attached to the yoke. The hub lock extension is configured to receive a hub lock that prevents gimballing of the yoke when engaged.

Embodiments are directed to a rotor hub assembly comprising a yoke configured to attach rotor blades thereto, a single Hooke's joint configured to attach to, and transmit forces between, a mast and the yoke, and a spherical bearing coupled between the yoke and the mast. Two pillow blocks couple the single Hooke's joint to the yoke. An adapter sleeve is attached to the pillow blocks and is positioned to surround the spherical bearing. The adapter sleeve extends between the single Hooke's joint and the mast. A hub lock extension is attached to the yoke. The hub lock extension is configured to receive a hub lock that prevents gimballing of the yoke when engaged.

An electrical generator is housed in an annular cavity between the casing and the propeller shaft of a turboprop, while imposing little or no additional space requirement and with lightweight ancillary equipment. The rotor of the generator is mounted on an autonomous shaft end. A flange of the outer casing is removable in order to access the generator and to enable its easy removal and remounting.

A duct for a ducted-rotor aircraft includes a hub, a duct ring, and a plurality of stators that extend outward from the hub. The hub may be configured to support a motor. The duct ring defines a trailing edge. The duct ring is coupled to each of the plurality of stators such that all or substantially all of each of the plurality of stators is located aft of the trailing edge of the duct ring.

A ducted-rotor aircraft may include a fuselage and first and second ducts that are coupled to the fuselage at respective first and second locations. The first location may be on a first side of a fuselage of the aircraft and spaced from a nominal yaw axis of the aircraft. The second location may be on an opposed second side of the fuselage and spaced from the nominal yaw axis. Each duct may include a rotor that is disposed in an opening that extends through the duct. Each rotor may include a plurality of blades. Each duct may further include a control vane that is mounted aft of the plurality of blades and that is pivotable about a vane axis that is oriented toward the nominal yaw axis.

A ducted-rotor aircraft includes a fuselage and first and second ducts that are coupled to the fuselage. Each duct includes a duct ring, a rotor having a plurality of blades, a hub that positions the rotor such that the blades define a blade plane of rotation within the duct ring, and a plurality of stators that are coupled to the hub at respective locations aft of the blade plane of rotation. Each of the plurality of stators defines a leading edge that is slanted toward the blade plane of rotation. The leading edges of the stators are slanted to follow a contour defined by the blades. The leading edges may also be slanted to maintain a distance of at least one blade inboard chord length between the leading edges of the stators and respective trailing edges of the blades.