A convertible ducted fan engine and mounting system. The convertible ducted fan engine has a shroud encircling a mechanical fan. The convertible ducted fan engine includes a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan rotates freely with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow, and a drive-wheel configuration in which the shroud rotates about the rotational axis.

A convertible ducted fan engine and mounting system. The convertible ducted fan engine has a shroud encircling a mechanical fan. The convertible ducted fan engine includes a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan rotates freely with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow, and a drive-wheel configuration in which the shroud rotates about the rotational axis.

An air and land multimodal vehicle comprises a frame, a propeller engine attached to a first location of the frame supplying power and torque to a propeller, a ground engine attached to a second location of the frame supplying power and torque to one or more ground traction elements, and a flexible wing releasably connectable to the frame, wherein the propeller engine is vertically and horizontally spaced from the ground engine.

An air and land multimodal vehicle comprises a frame, a propeller engine attached to a first location of the frame supplying power and torque to a propeller, a ground engine attached to a second location of the frame supplying power and torque to one or more ground traction elements, and a flexible wing releasably connectable to the frame, wherein the propeller engine is vertically and horizontally spaced from the ground engine.

A clutch arrangement for between an engine and a propeller of a drivetrain of a roadable aircraft. The arrangement includes an engine shaft, a propeller shaft, a stationary clutch arrangement housing, and an engagement member which is rotationally locked to and axially slidable relative to propeller shaft. The engagement member includes a first engagement structure for engaging a corresponding engagement structure associated with the engine shaft for setting the clutch arrangement in a propeller propulsion mode, in which rotational propulsion torque is transmitted from the engine shaft to the propeller shaft via the engagement member. The engagement member further includes a second engagement structure for engaging a corresponding engagement structure associated with the clutch arrangement housing for setting the clutch arrangement in a propeller locked mode, in which the propeller shaft is rotationally locked to the clutch arrangement housing by means of the engagement member.

A clutch arrangement for between an engine and a propeller of a drivetrain of a roadable aircraft. The arrangement includes an engine shaft, a propeller shaft, a stationary clutch arrangement housing, and an engagement member which is rotationally locked to and axially slidable relative to propeller shaft. The engagement member includes a first engagement structure for engaging a corresponding engagement structure associated with the engine shaft for setting the clutch arrangement in a propeller propulsion mode, in which rotational propulsion torque is transmitted from the engine shaft to the propeller shaft via the engagement member. The engagement member further includes a second engagement structure for engaging a corresponding engagement structure associated with the clutch arrangement housing for setting the clutch arrangement in a propeller locked mode, in which the propeller shaft is rotationally locked to the clutch arrangement housing by means of the engagement member.

A multi-modal robot capable of legged and aerial locomotion includes a body structure including a plurality of legs, each leg having at least one joint; a plurality of thrusters connected to the body structure; and a plurality of actuators for controlled movement of the legs and thrusters. The plurality of actuators are embedded within composite housing structures in the body structure. The composite housing structures are formed by additive printing of composite material over components of the actuators. The composite housing structures are reinforced by layers of continuous carbon fiber material. A method of constructing an actuator for use in a multi-modal robot is also disclosed. Additionally, a computer-implemented method is disclosed to identify particular locations and sizes of components in multi-modal robots providing the lowest total cost of transport.

A multi-modal robot capable of legged and aerial locomotion includes a body structure including a plurality of legs, each leg having at least one joint; a plurality of thrusters connected to the body structure; and a plurality of actuators for controlled movement of the legs and thrusters. The plurality of actuators are embedded within composite housing structures in the body structure. The composite housing structures are formed by additive printing of composite material over components of the actuators. The composite housing structures are reinforced by layers of continuous carbon fiber material. A method of constructing an actuator for use in a multi-modal robot is also disclosed. Additionally, a computer-implemented method is disclosed to identify particular locations and sizes of components in multi-modal robots providing the lowest total cost of transport.

An aerial vehicle has a passenger cabin for receiving at least one passenger, a load-bearing structure beneath the cabin, and a propulsion system including a number of propulsion units, which propel the aerial vehicle for powered flight and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The propulsion units are preferably carried by support arms attached to the load-bearing structure and extending upwards therefrom so as to support the propulsion units at a level above the cabin. The aerial vehicle is preferably reconfigurable to a compact configuration after landing, with at least some of the propulsion units overlapping the cabin and/or each other, while still allowing passenger transfer in and out of the vehicle, thereby facilitating efficient use of space for implementing a vertiport.

A transforming vehicle, including a main body having at least one of a ground mode, a liquid surface mode, and a flight mode, a plurality of side engines disposed on at least a portion of the main body to steer the main body in response to generating thrust from at least one of the plurality of side engines, a plurality of turbines disposed on at least a portion of a rear of the main body to move the main body in a lateral direction in response to rotation of the plurality of turbines, a plurality of wheel assemblies disposed on at least a portion of a bottom of the main body to facilitate movement of the main body over a ground surface, and a plurality of lifting fans disposed on at least a portion of the bottom of the main body to increase an altitude level of the main body during the flight mode, such that the main body flies.