Spring-integrated rotors are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a bracket defining a first rotational axis and coupled to a motor for rotating the bracket about the first rotational axis, a pivot body defining a second rotational axis extending along a direction different than the first rotational axis, the pivot body coupled to the bracket for rotation about the second rotational axis, and at least one spring device positioned at the bracket, the at least one spring device urging the pivot body toward a central position when the bracket is rotating.

Techniques for deicing propellers for mobile platforms are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system may include a propeller comprising a propeller blade having a channel extending from an ingress aperture to an egress aperture along a longitudinal axis of the propeller blade. The system may further include a cowl comprising an air duct configured to direct heated air into the channel to deice the propeller blade. The cowl may be configured to selectively couple to the propeller and an electric motor and form a seal between the cowl and the electric motor to capture the heated air exuded by the electric motor. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed.

A vehicle includes a body, at least one propulsion system including an electric component, a strut extending between the body and the at least one propulsion system, and a cooling system operably coupled to the electric component of the at least one propulsion system. A portion of the cooling system is arranged within the strut.

A link rotor head and an unmanned aerial vehicle are disclosed. The link rotor head includes a main shaft, a rotor hub arranged at an upper end of the main shaft, a rotor assembly rotatably arranged on the rotor hub, a swashplate assembly movably arranged around the main shaft, and a link assembly. The swashplate assembly drives the rotor assembly to rotate via the link assembly. The link assembly includes a phase link, a phase rocker and a pitch link. The phase rocker is rotatably arranged on the rotor hub, with one end of the phase rocker movably connected with the swashplate assembly via the phase link and with an other end of the phase rocker movably connected with the rotor assembly via the pitch link.

An aerial vehicle according to the present invention includes: at least one rotor configured to generate an air flow for lifting; and at least one sound producing structure having an opening and configured to produce sound for scaring birds and animals when the air flow generated by the rotor causes air to flow into the opening.

An aerial vehicle according to the present invention includes: at least one rotor configured to generate an air flow for lifting; and at least one sound producing structure having an opening and configured to produce sound for scaring birds and animals when the air flow generated by the rotor causes air to flow into the opening.

A rotor system comprising a hinge coupled between a rotor blade and a hub, where the hinge comprises a pivot that is angled relative to a rotor axis of rotation to enable pitch of the rotor blade to change when the rotor blade experiences lag.

Various embodiments of an airfoil and machines with airfoils are disclosed. The airfoils include a thicker leading airfoil portion and a thinner trailing airfoil portion. In one embodiment, the leading airfoil portion is formed by bending a body of the airfoil back toward itself. In another embodiment, the leading airfoil portion has a solid geometry and includes two elliptic surfaces. To prevent detachment of airflow, the leading airfoil portion includes at least two arc portions or surfaces that act to direct the airflow down to the trailing airfoil portion in a manner that stabilizes vortexes that may form in the region of changing thickness.

A telescoping tail assembly for use on an aircraft having a fore-aft length. The telescoping tail assembly includes a housing extending in an aftward direction, a tailboom slidable along the housing into various positions including an extended position and a retracted position and one or more control surfaces coupled to the tailboom. The tailboom increases the fore-aft length of the aircraft in the extended position and decreases the fore-aft length of the aircraft in the retracted position.

Various embodiments of an airfoil and machines with airfoils are disclosed. The airfoils include a thicker leading airfoil portion and a thinner trailing airfoil portion. In one embodiment, the leading airfoil portion is formed by bending a body of the airfoil back toward itself. In another embodiment, the leading airfoil portion has a solid geometry and includes two elliptic surfaces. To prevent detachment of airflow, the leading airfoil portion includes at least two arc portions or surfaces that act to direct the airflow down to the trailing airfoil portion in a manner that stabilizes vortexes that may form in the region of changing thickness.