A craft capable of a vertical take-off and landing configuration and a horizontal thrust configuration may include, for example, at least a proprotor, an edgewise blade, and a body. The proprotor may be configured to tilt to achieve a horizontal thrust component. A portion of a lift surface may be configured to tilt with the proprotor. In some embodiments, the vertical take-off and/or landing craft may further comprise a tail connected to a first boom and a second boom. In some embodiments, the vertical take-off and/or landing craft may further comprise a tail attached to the body.

A craft capable of a vertical take-off and landing configuration and a horizontal thrust configuration may include, for example, at least a proprotor, an edgewise blade, and a body. The proprotor may be configured to tilt to achieve a horizontal thrust component. A portion of a lift surface may be configured to tilt with the proprotor. In some embodiments, the vertical take-off and/or landing craft may further comprise a tail connected to a first boom and a second boom. In some embodiments, the vertical take-off and/or landing craft may further comprise a tail attached to the body.

An aircraft having a hybrid power source includes horizontal drive thrusters powered by an electric motor and forming a horizontal drive unit, vertical take-off/landing rotors forming with electric motors and a corresponding stored electrical energy source a vertical drive unit comprising an electric power supply bus, power generation sources connected to the electric power supply buses and by an input of a vertical drive unit and to each horizontal drive unit via an output of each vertical drive unit. The electric power supply controller emits a power command to the power generation source according to power requirements of the vertical and/or horizontal drive units. The stored electrical energy sources supply electricity according to the difference between the power requirements of the vertical and/or horizontal drive units. The power generation source recharges the stored electrical energy sources, so that the stored electrical energy sources are passively controlled.

An aircraft having a hybrid power source includes horizontal drive thrusters powered by an electric motor and forming a horizontal drive unit, vertical take-off/landing rotors forming with electric motors and a corresponding stored electrical energy source a vertical drive unit comprising an electric power supply bus, power generation sources connected to the electric power supply buses and by an input of a vertical drive unit and to each horizontal drive unit via an output of each vertical drive unit. The electric power supply controller emits a power command to the power generation source according to power requirements of the vertical and/or horizontal drive units. The stored electrical energy sources supply electricity according to the difference between the power requirements of the vertical and/or horizontal drive units. The power generation source recharges the stored electrical energy sources, so that the stored electrical energy sources are passively controlled.

An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

The present invention provides a battery powered fan assembly (1) for providing motive force, comprising: An electric drive motor (12); a fan (14), connected to and driven by the drive motor (12) and rotatable about a central axis X, for moving a fluid F and to thereby create a flow thereof; a battery (16), electrically connected to and for powering the drive motor (12); a heat management system (18), for managing the temperature T of the battery (16) comprising: a fluid collector (22), for collecting collected fluid Fc from the flow of fluid F moved by the fan (14); a heat exchange means (20), for exchanging thermal energy between the collected fluid Fc and the battery (16); and a fluid director (24) for receiving collected fluid Fc from said fluid collector (22) and directing said fluid Fc to said heat exchange means (20) for thermal management of the battery (16).

The present invention provides a battery powered fan assembly (1) for providing motive force, comprising: An electric drive motor (12); a fan (14), connected to and driven by the drive motor (12) and rotatable about a central axis X, for moving a fluid F and to thereby create a flow thereof; a battery (16), electrically connected to and for powering the drive motor (12); a heat management system (18), for managing the temperature T of the battery (16) comprising: a fluid collector (22), for collecting collected fluid Fc from the flow of fluid F moved by the fan (14); a heat exchange means (20), for exchanging thermal energy between the collected fluid Fc and the battery (16); and a fluid director (24) for receiving collected fluid Fc from said fluid collector (22) and directing said fluid Fc to said heat exchange means (20) for thermal management of the battery (16).

The earth's magnetic field has not been mined as a source of energy. With average field strength of 0.510.sup.4 Tesla around the world it is easy to understand why. A disruptive technology is needed to mine the earth's magnetic field. Such a technology, graphene, is now at an early stage of development with excellent properties in the form of high conductivity, low resistivity, durable, light weight, low cost sheets. Multiple sheets of graphene provide a significant multiplier to earth's magnetic field yielding a feasible source of ecologically clean power. Graphene based EcoCharge units can be driven by electric motors putting graphene in motion to mine the earth's magnetic field. Estimates show that for a Solar Impulse 2 like electric plane, eight EcoCharge units weighing 64 lbs generate 60 kW RMS continuously replacing 3,000 lbs of photovoltaic cells generating 50 kW RMS during the day only.

A battery pack module, for example, is used in an electric or hybrid aircraft. A battery pack module includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a battery cell array; a battery management system electrically connected to the battery cell array; an enclosure surrounding the battery cell array; a vent connected to the enclosure and arranged to provide a fluid flow path between an interior of the enclosure and an external environment; a disc arranged to provide a fluid seal between the interior of the enclosure and the vent, the disc configured to rupture upon a pressure differential between the interior of the enclosure and the external environment exceeding a predetermined threshold; and a sensing circuit connected between the disc and the battery management system and configured to provide a signal to the battery management system upon rupture of the disc.

A battery pack module, for example, is used in an electric or hybrid aircraft. A battery pack module includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a battery cell array; a battery management system electrically connected to the battery cell array; an enclosure surrounding the battery cell array; a vent connected to the enclosure and arranged to provide a fluid flow path between an interior of the enclosure and an external environment; a disc arranged to provide a fluid seal between the interior of the enclosure and the vent, the disc configured to rupture upon a pressure differential between the interior of the enclosure and the external environment exceeding a predetermined threshold; and a sensing circuit connected between the disc and the battery management system and configured to provide a signal to the battery management system upon rupture of the disc.