A foldable blade assembly may include a first blade, a motor configured to rotate the first blade, a second blade of which a rotation center coincides with a rotation center of the first blade, and an actuator configured to move the second blade upward or downward to selectively couple the second blade to the first blade so that the second blade and the first blade are rotated together or configured to release the coupling between the second blade and the first blade.

A foldable blade assembly may include a first blade, a motor configured to rotate the first blade, a second blade of which a rotation center coincides with a rotation center of the first blade, and an actuator configured to move the second blade upward or downward to selectively couple the second blade to the first blade so that the second blade and the first blade are rotated together or configured to release the coupling between the second blade and the first blade.

A vertical lift rotor propulsor assembly comprises a boom having a casing with a casing profile and a first propeller blade having a blade profile that corresponds substantially to at least a portion of the casing profile of the casing of the boom. A drive mechanism is at least partially housed within the boom and at the first propeller blade is rotatably mounted to the drive mechanism to be driven thereby. The drive mechanism is to operationally move the first propeller blade between a stowed position in which the first propeller blade is substantially flush with the casing of the boom, and a deployed position in which the first propeller blade is extended a determined distance from the casing of the boom.

A vertical lift rotor propulsor assembly comprises a boom having a casing with a casing profile and a first propeller blade having a blade profile that corresponds substantially to at least a portion of the casing profile of the casing of the boom. A drive mechanism is at least partially housed within the boom and at the first propeller blade is rotatably mounted to the drive mechanism to be driven thereby. The drive mechanism is to operationally move the first propeller blade between a stowed position in which the first propeller blade is substantially flush with the casing of the boom, and a deployed position in which the first propeller blade is extended a determined distance from the casing of the boom.

A roadable VTOL flying vehicle having a road-configuration and a flight-configuration. The roadable VTOL flying vehicle includes a roadable vehicle; at least one rotor having at least one blade, the rotor is rotatably attached to an upper section of the roadable vehicle of the flying vehicle; at least one motor configured to operatively rotate the least at least one rotor; at least one angular position sensor configured to detect the angular position of each of the at least one rotor; and a vehicle control sub-system configured to affect automatic transformation of the flying vehicle from the road-configuration to the flight-configuration and from the flight-configuration to the road-configuration, wherein the vehicle control sub-system is configured bring the at least one rotor into a parking state, when in road-configuration.

Embodiments are directed to a rotor blade comprising a blade tip attached to the outboard end of the rotor blade. The blade tip has at least two sides that are tapered together to an edge. The length of the blade tip extending away from the outboard end to the edge is a distance that is greater than half the thickness of the outboard end. When the rotor blade is operating in a folded configuration, air flows over the sides in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. The sides have profiles that minimize or prevent separation of the air flow from the blade tip.

Embodiments are directed to a rotor blade comprising a blade tip attached to the outboard end of the rotor blade. The blade tip has at least two sides that are tapered together to an edge. The length of the blade tip extending away from the outboard end to the edge is a distance that is greater than half the thickness of the outboard end. When the rotor blade is operating in a folded configuration, air flows over the sides in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. The sides have profiles that minimize or prevent separation of the air flow from the blade tip.

An aircraft includes an airframe having at least one wing. A distributed propulsion system is attached to the airframe and includes first and second pluralities of propulsion assemblies. In a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode, each of the propulsion assemblies generates vertical thrust with rotor assemblies of the first plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a horizontal plane and rotor assemblies of the second plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a parallel horizontal plane. In a forward flight mode, each of the propulsion assemblies generates forward thrust with the rotor assemblies of the first plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a vertical plane and the rotor assemblies of the second plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a parallel vertical plane. In both the vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and the forward flight mode, a pod assembly coupled to the airframe remains in a generally horizontal attitude.

An aircraft includes an airframe having at least one wing. A distributed propulsion system is attached to the airframe and includes first and second pluralities of propulsion assemblies. In a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode, each of the propulsion assemblies generates vertical thrust with rotor assemblies of the first plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a horizontal plane and rotor assemblies of the second plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a parallel horizontal plane. In a forward flight mode, each of the propulsion assemblies generates forward thrust with the rotor assemblies of the first plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a vertical plane and the rotor assemblies of the second plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a parallel vertical plane. In both the vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and the forward flight mode, a pod assembly coupled to the airframe remains in a generally horizontal attitude.

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 motors are disposed within or attached to the spokes. Three or more propellers are proximate to a leading edge of the one or more spokes, distributed along the one or more spokes, and operably connected to the one or more 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.