An aircraft employs articulated, variable-position electric rotors having different operating configurations and transitions therebetween, as well as variable-pitch airfoils or blades, for generating vectored thrust in the different configurations. Control circuitry generates rotor position signals and blade pitch signals to independently control rotor thrust, rotor orientation and rotor blade pitch of the variable-position rotors in a manner providing (i) the transitions among the operating configurations for corresponding flight modes of the aircraft, which may include both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) mode as well as a forward-flight mode, and (ii) commanded thrust-vectoring maneuvering of the aircraft in the different configurations, including tailoring blade pitch to optimize aspects of aircraft performance.

Provided is a vibration control system for a compound helicopter with a rotor and a fixed wing. The fixed wing includes a movable flap that is mounted on a rear edge of the fixed wing. The vibration control system periodically moves the movable flap so as to periodically change lift of the fixed wing such that vibration aerodynamically generated by the fixed wing is in anti-phase with vibration caused by rotation of the rotor.

Provided is a vibration control system for a compound helicopter with a rotor and a fixed wing. The fixed wing includes a movable flap that is mounted on a rear edge of the fixed wing. The vibration control system periodically moves the movable flap so as to periodically change lift of the fixed wing such that vibration aerodynamically generated by the fixed wing is in anti-phase with vibration caused by rotation of the rotor.

A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is capable of vertical takeoff and landing and horizontal flight, and includes a cabin, rotors, protectors, a connector and a hinge. The cabin is capable of carrying a crew and/or a cargo. The rotors are positioned in front of and behind the cabin during the vertical takeoff and landing. The protectors surround the rotors. The connector connects the protectors to one another. The hinge attaches the connector to the cabin such that the connector is rotatable with respect to the cabin. The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft performs the vertical takeoff and landing and the horizontal flight by the connector rotating with respect to the cabin and accordingly the rotors and fixed wings rotating around the cabin.

A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is capable of vertical takeoff and landing and horizontal flight, and includes a cabin, rotors, protectors, a connector and a hinge. The cabin is capable of carrying a crew and/or a cargo. The rotors are positioned in front of and behind the cabin during the vertical takeoff and landing. The protectors surround the rotors. The connector connects the protectors to one another. The hinge attaches the connector to the cabin such that the connector is rotatable with respect to the cabin. The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft performs the vertical takeoff and landing and the horizontal flight by the connector rotating with respect to the cabin and accordingly the rotors and fixed wings rotating around the cabin.

Techniques are described for monitoring the degradation of electrochemical cells. A battery monitoring system monitors, for each of one or more cells of a plurality of cells in a battery, an amount of mechanical deformation using one or more measuring devices. The battery monitoring system determines a number of cells of the plurality of one or more monitored cells for which the monitored amount of mechanical deformation exceeds a deformation threshold. The battery monitoring system determines whether the determined number of cells exceeds a threshold number of cells with an amount of mechanical deformation exceeding the deformation threshold. Responsive to determining the determined number of cells exceeds the threshold number of cells, the battery monitoring system sends a notification that the battery is degraded beyond an acceptable limit.

A system and method for the overcurrent protection in an electric vehicle is illustrated. The system comprises an AC pin, a DC pin, an electric vehicle charging connector, wherein the electric vehicle charging connector comprises a protection circuit, wherein the protection circuit is configured to control a transmission of power through the electric vehicle charging connector, a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect an output current, and a controller communicatively connected to the sensor. The controller is configured to detect an overcurrent output as a function of the output current and trip the protection circuit as a function of the overcurrent output.

In an aspect, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is disclosed. The VTOL aircraft includes at least a lift component affixed to the aft end of a boom, wherein the lift component is configured to generate lift. The VTOL includes a fuselage comprising a fore end and an aft end. Additionally, VTOL aircraft includes a tail affixed to the aft end of a fuselage. A tail includes a plurality of vertically projecting elements, wherein the plurality vertically projecting elements are affixed at the aft end of the boom and positioned outside of the wake from the at least a lift component.

In an aspect, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is disclosed. The VTOL aircraft includes at least a lift component affixed to the aft end of a boom, wherein the lift component is configured to generate lift. The VTOL includes a fuselage comprising a fore end and an aft end. Additionally, VTOL aircraft includes a tail affixed to the aft end of a fuselage. A tail includes a plurality of vertically projecting elements, wherein the plurality vertically projecting elements are affixed at the aft end of the boom and positioned outside of the wake from the at least a lift component.

Techniques are described for monitoring the degradation of electrochemical cells. A battery monitoring system monitors, for each of one or more cells of a plurality of cells in a battery, an amount of mechanical deformation using one or more measuring devices. The battery monitoring system determines a number of cells of the plurality of one or more monitored cells for which the monitored amount of mechanical deformation exceeds a deformation threshold. The battery monitoring system determines whether the determined number of cells exceeds a threshold number of cells with an amount of mechanical deformation exceeding the deformation threshold. Responsive to determining the determined number of cells exceeds the threshold number of cells, the battery monitoring system sends a notification that the battery is degraded beyond an acceptable limit.