A foldable rotor blade includes a hinge element defining two hinge axes arranged in parallel, and two blade segments each coupled to the hinge element for hinging with respect to a respective one of the hinge axes. The rotor blade has an extended condition in which the blade segments are substantially aligned with each other, and a folded condition in which each blade segment is hinged with respect to the hinge element so that the blade segments are substantially parallel to each other. The blade has a cord and the hinge axes are substantially parallel to the chord. The blade segments have upper surfaces which in the folded condition are facing each other, and which in the extended condition are flush with each other and the intermediate hinge element.

A foldable rotor blade includes a hinge element defining two hinge axes arranged in parallel, and two blade segments each coupled to the hinge element for hinging with respect to a respective one of the hinge axes. The rotor blade has an extended condition in which the blade segments are substantially aligned with each other, and a folded condition in which each blade segment is hinged with respect to the hinge element so that the blade segments are substantially parallel to each other. The blade has a cord and the hinge axes are substantially parallel to the chord. The blade segments have upper surfaces which in the folded condition are facing each other, and which in the extended condition are flush with each other and the intermediate hinge element.

A propulsion unit with a propeller includes a nacelle; a propeller rotatably mounted in the nacelle by means of a hub. The propeller has blades mounted in a blade cuff that is pivotable about a pitch axis relative to the hub. Each blade is pivotable relative to the cuff about a folding axis. A folding device includes an actuator for folding the blades. The folding device includes a control member rotationally affixed to the blade cuff and driven by the actuator. A connecting rod is pivotably mounted, on the one hand, on a root of the associated blade and, on the other hand, on the movable control member.

A propulsion unit with a propeller includes a nacelle; a propeller rotatably mounted in the nacelle by means of a hub. The propeller has blades mounted in a blade cuff that is pivotable about a pitch axis relative to the hub. Each blade is pivotable relative to the cuff about a folding axis. A folding device includes an actuator for folding the blades. The folding device includes a control member rotationally affixed to the blade cuff and driven by the actuator. A connecting rod is pivotably mounted, on the one hand, on a root of the associated blade and, on the other hand, on the movable control member.

A vehicle includes a first rotor system having a rotor blade having an axis of rotation, a rotatable inboard drive component, and a rotatable outboard drive component. The first rotor system further includes a flexible closed loop component associated with each of the inboard drive component and the outboard drive component. Movement of the closed loop component can selectively cause at least one of rotation of the rotor blade about the axis of rotation and movement of the axis of rotation.

An aircraft has an airframe with first and second wings having first and second pylons extending therebetween. A distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe includes at least first, second, third and fourth propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by a flight control system. A pod assembly is coupled to the airframe. In a VTOL flight mode, the first and second propulsion assemblies are forward of the pod assembly and the third and fourth propulsion assemblies are aft of the pod assembly. In a forward flight mode, the first and second propulsion assemblies are below the pod assembly and the third and fourth propulsion assemblies are above the pod assembly. In both the VTOL and forward flight modes, the first and fourth propulsion assemblies generate thrust having a first direction while the second and third propulsion assemblies generate thrust having a second direction that is different from the first direction.

An aircraft has an airframe with first and second wings having first and second pylons extending therebetween. A distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe includes at least first, second, third and fourth propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by a flight control system. A pod assembly is coupled to the airframe. In a VTOL flight mode, the first and second propulsion assemblies are forward of the pod assembly and the third and fourth propulsion assemblies are aft of the pod assembly. In a forward flight mode, the first and second propulsion assemblies are below the pod assembly and the third and fourth propulsion assemblies are above the pod assembly. In both the VTOL and forward flight modes, the first and fourth propulsion assemblies generate thrust having a first direction while the second and third propulsion assemblies generate thrust having a second direction that is different from the first direction.

An unmanned aerial vehicle including a propeller blade and a central hub. The propeller blade includes a hole, and a connector located at a root of the propeller blade, the connector including a projection and a shoulder. The central hub includes an opening configured to receive the projection; a portion of a face, wherein the shoulder engages with the portion of the face in a first rotational position of the propeller blade and holes. The holes of the propeller blade and the central hub are concentric so that the propeller blade is movably connected to the central hub via the holes.

An unmanned aerial vehicle including a propeller blade and a central hub. The propeller blade includes a hole, and a connector located at a root of the propeller blade, the connector including a projection and a shoulder. The central hub includes an opening configured to receive the projection; a portion of a face, wherein the shoulder engages with the portion of the face in a first rotational position of the propeller blade and holes. The holes of the propeller blade and the central hub are concentric so that the propeller blade is movably connected to the central hub via the holes.