An aircraft may include a body structure, a tail section articulatably coupled to the body structure and including a tail structure, a propulsion system coupled to the tail structure and configured to produce thrust for the aircraft, and a stabilizer coupled to the tail structure, and an actuation system configured to articulate the tail section relative to the body structure to change a thrust vector of the propulsion system and an angle of attack of the stabilizer during flight. The actuation system may be configured to articulate the tail section about at least two perpendicular rotational axes. The propulsion system may be configured to produce the thrust in a first thrust direction in a first flight mode (e.g., a rotor-borne flight mode) and to produce the thrust in a second thrust direction in a second flight mode (e.g., a wing-borne flight mode).

An aircraft has an airframe with a distributed thrust array attached thereto that includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies each of which is independently controlled by a flight control system. Each propulsion assembly includes a housing with a single axis gimbal coupled thereto and operable to tilt about a single axis. A propulsion system is coupled to and operable to tilt with the gimbal. The propulsion system includes an electric motor having an output drive and a rotor assembly having a plurality of rotor blades that rotate in a rotational plane to generate thrust having a thrust vector with a direction. Actuation of each gimbal is operable to tilt the respective propulsion system including the electric motor and the rotor assembly relative to the airframe to change the rotational plane of the respective rotor assembly relative to the airframe, thereby controlling the direction of the respective thrust vector.

An aircraft has an airframe with a distributed thrust array attached thereto that includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies each of which is independently controlled by a flight control system. Each propulsion assembly includes a housing with a single axis gimbal coupled thereto and operable to tilt about a single axis. A propulsion system is coupled to and operable to tilt with the gimbal. The propulsion system includes an electric motor having an output drive and a rotor assembly having a plurality of rotor blades that rotate in a rotational plane to generate thrust having a thrust vector with a direction. Actuation of each gimbal is operable to tilt the respective propulsion system including the electric motor and the rotor assembly relative to the airframe to change the rotational plane of the respective rotor assembly relative to the airframe, thereby controlling the direction of the respective thrust vector.

In an implementation, the compound helicopter may include at least one rotary wing system, at least one first power generator and at least one second power generator. The at least one first power generator may rotate the at least one rotary wing blade to provide lift and a primary thrust force in a first direction to the helicopter. The at least one second power generator may be connected to the helicopter and may provide lift and a secondary thrust force in a direction that is independent of a direction of the primary thrust force and may also provide a secondary thrust force in a direction that is substantially parallel to the primary thrust force.

One embodiment is a rotor system comprising a duct ring; a hub disposed centrally to the duct ring; first and second stators each connected between the duct ring and the hub; first and second control vanes rotatably connected to the first and second stators, respectively; a structural hoop having a first end connected to the first control vane and a second end connected to the second control vane, the structural hoop for translating rotation of the first control vane about a vane axis to the second control vane; and a mechanism for restricting at least one of forward-aft movement and side-to-side movement of the structural hoop relative to the duct ring.

An aircraft includes an airframe with first and second wings having a fuselage extending therebetween. A propulsion assembly is coupled to the fuselage and includes a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system that is tiltable relative to the fuselage to generate a thrust vector. First and second yaw vanes extend aftwardly from the fuselage. A flight control system is configured to direct the thrust vector of the coaxial rotor system and control movements of the yaw vanes. In a VTOL orientation of the aircraft, differential operation of the yaw vanes and/or differential operations of first and second rotor assemblies of the coaxial rotor system provide yaw authority for the aircraft. In a biplane orientation of the aircraft, collective operation of the yaw vanes provides yaw authority for 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 tad conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are 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 includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.

A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one tad conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are 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 includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.

The invention provides for a hybrid unmanned aerial and submersible vehicle (UASV) (100) comprising a fuselage (102), at least one wing structure (104, 106), a propulsion system (116, 118) and an empennage. The said vehicle is capable of operating in air, on water and underwater via its wing tilting mechanism wherein the transition of the vehicle between different mediums is seamless. Further, the wing structures (104, 106) are connected on either side of the fuselage (102), such that each wing (104, 106) tilts about a common lateral axis (360° of freedom), and wherein said tilting depends on the mode of operation of the UASV (100). The vehicle of the present invention further includes a propeller protection system, a landing system, control surfaces, and sensors. The present invention also discloses methods for operating the UASV (100) in multiple mediums.

The invention provides for a hybrid unmanned aerial and submersible vehicle (UASV) (100) comprising a fuselage (102), at least one wing structure (104, 106), a propulsion system (116, 118) and an empennage. The said vehicle is capable of operating in air, on water and underwater via its wing tilting mechanism wherein the transition of the vehicle between different mediums is seamless. Further, the wing structures (104, 106) are connected on either side of the fuselage (102), such that each wing (104, 106) tilts about a common lateral axis (360° of freedom), and wherein said tilting depends on the mode of operation of the UASV (100). The vehicle of the present invention further includes a propeller protection system, a landing system, control surfaces, and sensors. The present invention also discloses methods for operating the UASV (100) in multiple mediums.