A lightweight structure for a vehicle or aircraft includes a longitudinal member with a base bridge, having a first collective conductor and a transversal member with a central bridge and transversal bridge with a first connection conductor extending on a first surface of the transversal bridge and on a second surface of the transversal bridge oriented opposite the first surface, and a second connection conductor extending separately from the first connection conductor. The transversal member is connected to the base bridge at the first end section, so the first connection conductor contacts the first collective conductor of the base bridge. The lightweight structure includes a carbon fiber structural battery (CFSB) connected with the central bridge of the transversal member, a first collector of the CFSB electrically connected to the first or second connection conductor and a second collector of the CFSB electrically connected to the other connection conductor.

One embodiment is an aircraft including a fuselage; a wing connected to the fuselage; first and second booms connected to the wing on opposite sides of the fuselage; first and second forward propulsion systems attached to forward ends of the first and second booms; first and second aft propulsion systems fixedly attached proximate aft ends of the first and second booms; first and second wing-mounted propulsion systems connected to outboard ends of wings; and first and second wing tips fixedly connected to outboard sides of the first and second wing-mounted propulsion systems; wherein the first and second wing-mounted propulsion systems and the first and second wing tips are collectively tiltable between a first position when the aircraft is in a hover mode and a second position when the aircraft is in a cruise mode.

A hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft can include a propulsor assembly having at least one propulsor and a power generation system. The power generation system can include a first power assembly, a second power assembly, a first electric machine, and a second electric machine. The first power assembly can be drivingly coupled to the first electric machine to produce a first amount of electric power. The second power assembly can be drivingly coupled to the second electric machine to produce a second amount of electric power. A controller can be operably coupled to the first power assembly, the first electric machine, or both and to the second power assembly, the second power assembly, or both. The controller can be configured to combine at least a portion of the first and second amount of power for electric transfer to the propulsor assembly.

A hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft can include a propulsor assembly having at least one propulsor and a power generation system. The power generation system can include a first power assembly, a second power assembly, a first electric machine, and a second electric machine. The first power assembly can be drivingly coupled to the first electric machine to produce a first amount of electric power. The second power assembly can be drivingly coupled to the second electric machine to produce a second amount of electric power. A controller can be operably coupled to the first power assembly, the first electric machine, or both and to the second power assembly, the second power assembly, or both. The controller can be configured to combine at least a portion of the first and second amount of power for electric transfer to the propulsor assembly.

An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft can enhance energy efficiency, safety, and operational range. A deployable wing structure can provide aerodynamic lift during horizontal flight, reducing reliance on energy-intensive propellers. Integrated flexible solar panels capture solar energy, contributing additional power and optimizing energy management. The wing system also includes an emergency descent mode, doubling as a glide-assist device for controlled landings during critical failures. The system offers modular configurations for various missions, ensuring adaptability and improved flight performance. The eVTOL can be implemented with systems and methods for mitigating motion sickness. The systems integrate tactile feedback systems into wearable devices and environmental components. Sensors detect motion and environmental changes, and a computing device can generate corresponding tactile feedback signals. Tactile actuators embedded in the devices or components provide non-visual motion cues, such as pressure, vibration, and haptic feedback, to resolve sensory mismatches between the vestibular and proprioceptive systems.

An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft can enhance energy efficiency, safety, and operational range. A deployable wing structure can provide aerodynamic lift during horizontal flight, reducing reliance on energy-intensive propellers. Integrated flexible solar panels capture solar energy, contributing additional power and optimizing energy management. The wing system also includes an emergency descent mode, doubling as a glide-assist device for controlled landings during critical failures. The system offers modular configurations for various missions, ensuring adaptability and improved flight performance. The eVTOL can be implemented with systems and methods for mitigating motion sickness. The systems integrate tactile feedback systems into wearable devices and environmental components. Sensors detect motion and environmental changes, and a computing device can generate corresponding tactile feedback signals. Tactile actuators embedded in the devices or components provide non-visual motion cues, such as pressure, vibration, and haptic feedback, to resolve sensory mismatches between the vestibular and proprioceptive systems.

A propulsion system for an aircraft as disclosed herein may include a nacelle, a shaft positioned centrally within a cylindrical passageway of the nacelle, a fan coupled to one end of the shaft, a turbine coupled to an opposite end of the shaft, an electric motor coupled to the shaft, a compressor positioned within the cylindrical passageway, and a solid oxide fuel cell positioned with a hollow ring-shaped interior of the nacelle. The hollow ring-shaped interior may surround and be isolated from the cylindrical passageway. The turbine may be configured to provide primary torque to the shaft while the electric motor may be configured to provide additional torque to the shaft. The electric motor may be powered an electric output of the solid oxide fuel cell while the turbine may be powered at least in part by output gases from the solid oxide fuel cell.

A control device of an electric drive system for rotationally driving one of a rotary blade and a screw that are a rotating body. The control device has an angle acquisition unit configured to acquire an angle of the rotating body, and a lock control unit configured to lock a rotation of the rotating body within a set lock angle range based on the acquired angle by the angle acquisition unit.

A joint assembly for an aircraft comprising: a joint comprising a first portion rotatably coupled to a second portion so that the first portion can rotate relative to the second portion; an actuator for rotating the first portion of the joint and comprising a connecting portion that connects to the first portion of the joint; and a latch moveable to a latched arrangement in which the latch prevents rotation of the first portion of the joint in at least one rotational direction, the latch being biased toward the latched arrangement and operatively connected to the connecting portion such that if the connecting portion becomes separated from the rest of the actuator, the latch moves to the latched arrangement, thereby preventing rotation of the first portion of the joint in the at least one rotational direction.

A joint assembly for an aircraft comprising: a joint comprising a first portion rotatably coupled to a second portion so that the first portion can rotate relative to the second portion; an actuator for rotating the first portion of the joint and comprising a connecting portion that connects to the first portion of the joint; and a latch moveable to a latched arrangement in which the latch prevents rotation of the first portion of the joint in at least one rotational direction, the latch being biased toward the latched arrangement and operatively connected to the connecting portion such that if the connecting portion becomes separated from the rest of the actuator, the latch moves to the latched arrangement, thereby preventing rotation of the first portion of the joint in the at least one rotational direction.