An example hybrid aircraft propulsion system includes one or more power units configured to output electrical energy onto one or more electrical busses; a plurality of propulsors; and a plurality of electrical machines, each respective electrical machine configured to drive a respective propulsor of the plurality of propulsors using electrical energy received from at least one of the one or more electrical busses.

An aircraft comprises a fuselage, first and second wing segments each having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a plurality of spokes coupling the fuselage to the first and second wing segments, one or more motors disposed within or attached to the plurality of spokes, and three or more propellers proximate to a leading edge of the plurality of spokes, distributed along the plurality of spokes, and operably connected to the motors to provide lift whenever the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight and provide thrust whenever the aircraft is in forward flight. When the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, the fuselage is approximately vertical. When the aircraft is in forward flight, the fuselage is approximately in the direction of the forward flight and extends forward beyond the leading edges of the first wing segment and the second wing segment.

An aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight includes a distributed airframe coupled to a modular fuselage. The modular fuselage has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a rotational axis of three or more propellers. The modular fuselage includes a rear module substantially disposed within a perimeter of the distributed airframe, a front module removably connected to the rear module and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis. One or more engines or motors are disposed within or attached to the distributed airframe or fuselage. The three or more propellers are proximate to a leading edge of the distributed airframe, distributed along the distributed airframe, and operably connected to the one or more engines or motors to provide lift whenever the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight.

An aircraft includes a closed wing, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. A plurality of hydraulic or electric motors are disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes in a distributed configuration. A propeller is proximate to a leading edge of the closed wing or spokes and operably connected to each hydraulic or electric motor. A source of hydraulic or electric power is disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes and coupled to each hydraulic or electric motor disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes. A controller is coupled to each hydraulic or electric motor, and one or more processors communicably coupled to each controller that control an operation and speed of the plurality of hydraulic or electric motors.

An aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, stationary flight and forward flight includes a closed wing that provides lift whenever the aircraft is in forward flight, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. One or more engines or motors are disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes. Three or more propellers are proximate to a leading edge of the closed wing or the one or more spokes, distributed along the closed wing or the one or more spokes, and operably connected to the one or more engines or motors. The propellers provide lift whenever the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and provide thrust whenever the aircraft is in forward flight.

The present invention includes a distributed propulsion system for a craft that comprises a frame, a plurality of hydraulic or electric motors disposed within or attached to the frame in a distributed configuration; a propeller operably connected to each of the hydraulic or electric motors, a source of hydraulic or electric power disposed within or attached to the frame and coupled to each of the disposed within or attached to the frame, wherein the source of hydraulic or electric power provides sufficient energy density for the craft to attain and maintain operations of the craft, a controller coupled to each of the hydraulic or electric motors, and one or more processors communicably coupled to each controller that control an operation and speed of the plurality of hydraulic or electric motors.

A method for testing a hybrid power plant equipping a rotary-wing aircraft comprising at least one lift rotor, the hybrid power plant being configured to rotate the at least one lift rotor, the hybrid power plant comprising at least one heat engine configured to rotate the at least one lift rotor; and at least one electric motor supplied with electrical energy by at least one electrical power source, the at least one electric motor being configured to rotate the at least one lift rotor at least when at least one of the at least one heat engine fails.

A hybrid electric propulsion (HEP) system of an aircraft includes a gas turbine engine configured to generate rotational power, and an electric propulsion system configured to generate at least one of thrust or lift for operation of the aircraft. The propulsion system includes a propulsor and an electric motor configured to drive the propulsor. A controller is in signal communication with the gas turbine engine and the electric propulsion system. The controller operates the gas turbine engine based on an on-board engine model (OEM), monitors electrical parameters of the electric propulsion system, and updates the OEM in response to changes to the electrical parameters.

An aerial vehicle includes a hybrid power generation system comprising an engine; a generator mechanically coupled to the engine; and a propulsion system comprising an electric motor electrically coupled to the generator and a rotational mechanism coupled to the electric motor.

A rotor blade rotation system includes two or more rotor blades, each rotor blade in mechanical communication with a hub and pivotable about an axis of rotation, a bearing plate comprising a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, a fold linkage coupled to the rotating portion of the bearing plate and in mechanical communication with the rotor blade, and an actuator coupled to the non-rotating portion of the bearing plate and operable to reposition the bearing plate from a first position to a second position such that the folding links pivot the rotor blades from a deployed position to a forward folded position.