A linear thruster aircraft includes: an airframe, including an elongated mounting nacelle and a main body; an aircraft control unit with a processor, a non-transitory memory, and an input/output component; and at least one linear thruster arrangement with at least four thrusters mounted along at least one elongated axis of the elongated mounting nacelle, such that the thrusters are configured to provide lift, pitch, roll, and yaw movement. Optionally, the linear thruster arrangement can include alternating lateral and vertical offsets of the thrusters from the elongated axis, and pairs of thrusters can be vertically overlapping.

A ducted fan assembly includes a duct having an inlet, an inner surface, an expanding diffuser and an outlet. A fan disposed within the duct between the inlet and the expanding diffuser is configured to rotate about a fan axis to generate airflow. An active flow control system includes a plurality of injection zones circumferentially distributed about the inner surface. The expanding diffuser has a diffuser angle configured to create flow separation when the airflow is uninfluenced by the active flow control system such that the airflow has a thrust vector with a first direction that is substantially parallel to the fan axis. Injection of pressurized air from one of the injection zones asymmetrically reduces the flow separation between the airflow and the expanding diffuser downstream of that injection zone such that the thrust vector of the airflow has a second direction that is not parallel to the first direction.

A ducted fan assembly includes a duct having an inlet, an inner surface, an expanding diffuser and an outlet. A fan disposed within the duct between the inlet and the expanding diffuser is configured to rotate about a fan axis to generate airflow. An active flow control system includes a plurality of injection zones circumferentially distributed about the inner surface. The expanding diffuser has a diffuser angle configured to create flow separation when the airflow is uninfluenced by the active flow control system such that the airflow has a thrust vector with a first direction that is substantially parallel to the fan axis. Injection of pressurized air from one of the injection zones asymmetrically reduces the flow separation between the airflow and the expanding diffuser downstream of that injection zone such that the thrust vector of the airflow has a second direction that is not parallel to the first direction.

An aircraft that closely integrates thrust and aerodynamics to achieve VTOL flight, forward flight, and smooth transitions from VTOL to forward flight. The invention combines a Box wing, Ducted Rotors and movable Flaperons for VTOL and sustained forward flight of an aircraft. In forward flight, the concept uses a plurality of fixed Ducted Rotors to not only provide thrust, but also enhance dynamic lift and controllability by interacting closely with the two fixed primary lifting bodies of each ducted wing section. In VTOL flight and transitioning to forward flight, the Ducted Rotors direct air through movable Flaperons attached to the trailing end of the ducted wings, providing smooth power, controllability, and aircraft orientation throughout transition. Throughout all phases of flight, differential actuation of Ducted Rotors and Flaperons provide control.

Embodiments of the present invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: a fuselage, the centroid of the unmanned aerial vehicle being located on the fuselage; an arm connected to the fuselage; and a motor, wherein the motor is obliquely mounted on the arm, the projection of the inclination direction of the motor on a horizontal plane forms a preset angle with a connecting line between the motor and the centroid, and the inclination direction of the motor forms an acute angle with the vertical direction.

A biplane flying device includes a fuselage, an upper wing, a lower wing, a first propulsion assembly and a second propulsion assembly. The upper wing is connected to one side of the fuselage. The upper wing has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The lower wing is connected to the fuselage and opposite to the upper wing. The lower wing has a third end and a fourth end opposite to each other. The first end is opposite to the third end, and the second end is opposite to the fourth end. The first propulsion assembly is connected between the first end, the third end and the fuselage. The second propulsion assembly is connected between the second end, the fourth end and the fuselage.

Multiple propulsion units mounted inside an enclosure near openings can be used to control the fluid flow in and out of the openings and also to determine the total fluid flow at any additional uncontrolled openings. By controlling the fluid flow, where such control is available, and by considering the resulting flow at any uncontrolled enclosure openings, it may be possible to achieve a desired thrust vector but have a more favorable weight/shape/efficiency than would be possible without the enclosure and use of coordinated control of fluid flow into or out of some openings. The designed geometry of the enclosure is an important consideration and will have an effect on the overall thrust magnitude and direction. A grouping of propulsion systems can be coordinated to achieve a more general thrust vector and associated moment on a vehicle.

The present vertical lift vehicle system can include a single internal combustion engine, a single propeller, and a plurality of small ducts. The small ducts can connect to a single main duct acting as a combustion chamber, wherein the combustion chamber combines air from the small ducts with propane, wherein when ignited the contents of the main duct produce added thrust to the vehicle as it exits the main duct.

Systems and methods for stabilizing an aircraft in response to a yaw movement are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a yaw movement of the aircraft. The yaw movement can cause a front portion of the aircraft to move towards a first side of the aircraft. The method can further include, in response to the yaw movement, initiating a trim process resulting in a thrust differential. The trim process can include increasing thrust in one or more engines on the first side of the aircraft and decreasing thrust in one or more engines on a second side of the aircraft. The method can include controlling the trim process based at least in part on a detected yaw movement of the aircraft.

Systems and methods for stabilizing an aircraft in response to a yaw movement are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a yaw movement of the aircraft. The yaw movement can cause a front portion of the aircraft to move towards a first side of the aircraft. The method can further include, in response to the yaw movement, initiating a trim process resulting in a thrust differential. The trim process can include increasing thrust in one or more engines on the first side of the aircraft and decreasing thrust in one or more engines on a second side of the aircraft. The method can include controlling the trim process based at least in part on a detected yaw movement of the aircraft.