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. The mounting system includes at least one gimbal ring and may include a circular track system thereby enabling the convertible engine to be oriented in any direction.

An electric VTOL aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has folding wings each having an inboard wing portion coupled to an outboard portion via a hinge. Folding wings are known to be used during flight, although using a motor to fold and unfold the wings. In the present disclosure, the motor with its concomitant weight and complication is obviated or reduced by making the rotational axis of the hinge such that end of the hinge on the leading edge of the wing is displaced more outboard and lower than the end of the hinge on the trailing edge to allow the wing to fold and unfold passively. When in forward flight, a folded wing has more of the underside of the wing facing the flow, which pushes the wing upward, i.e., unfolding the wing. When the aeronautical apparatus transitions to vertical flight, gravity pulls the wings downward into the folded position.

A propeller guard (200) according to the present disclosure is a propeller guard (200) for an unmanned aerial vehicle including a main body part (1) and a propeller part (2) and includes: an encircling part (210) that extends around the propeller part (2) and protects the propeller part (2); and a connection part (220) that connects the main body part (1) and the encircling part (210), wherein the encircling part (210) has a buoyant force for maintaining at least a part of the main body part (1) and the propeller part (2) above water.

A propeller guard (200) according to the present disclosure is a propeller guard (200) for an unmanned aerial vehicle including a main body part (1) and a propeller part (2) and includes: an encircling part (210) that extends around the propeller part (2) and protects the propeller part (2); and a connection part (220) that connects the main body part (1) and the encircling part (210), wherein the encircling part (210) has a buoyant force for maintaining at least a part of the main body part (1) and the propeller part (2) above water.

A helicopter includes a propulsion system, gimbal assembly, and a controller. The propulsion system includes a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly. The first rotor assembly comprises a first motor coupled to a first rotor and the second rotor assembly comprises a second motor coupled to a second rotor. The second rotor is coaxial to the first rotor and is configured to be counter-rotating to the first rotor. The gimbal assembly couples a fuselage of the helicopter to the propulsion system. The controller is communicably coupled to the gimbal assembly and is configured to provide instructions to the gimbal assembly in order to weight-shift the fuselage of the helicopter, thereby controlling movements of the helicopter.

A helicopter includes a propulsion system, gimbal assembly, and a controller. The propulsion system includes a first and second rotor assembly, wherein the first rotor assembly comprises a first motor coupled to a first rotor, the first rotor comprising a plurality of first fixed-pitch blades and the second rotor assembly comprises a second motor coupled to a second rotor, the second rotor comprising a plurality of second fixed-pitch blades. The second rotor is coaxial to the first rotor and is configured to be counter-rotating to the first rotor. The controller is communicably coupled to the gimbal assembly and is configured to provide instructions to at least one of the first or second gimbal motors in order to orient the plurality of first and second fixed-pitch blades into a position that permits wind to rotate the first and second fixed-pitch blades and thereby charge the power source.

A system for video imaging and photographing using an autonomous aerial platform. The system may be a quad rotor system using electrically powered propellers. The aerial platform may be commanded by the user to follow an object of interest. The aerial platform may have multiple configurations for its thrust units such that they are clear of the field of view of the imaging device in a first configuration, such that they protect the imaging device during landing in a second configuration, and that allows for efficient storage in a stowed configuration.

A flying body having more basic structure and safety measures. The flying body according to the present invention a fuselage, a thrust unit for generating thrust connected to the fuselage, a main wing at the fuselage and a tail connected to the fuselage, wherein at least at the time of landing, the main wing is deformably configured with respect to the fuselage so that the main wing and the fuselage comprise landing legs.

The disclosed inventions include personal Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) and UAV universal docking ports “docking ports” to be incorporated into and/or attached to headwear, including helmets, hard hats and hats and face masks, as well as footwear including boots and shoes, clothing and outerwear, devices, gear and equipment, land, air, water and space vehicles, buildings, wireless towers and other mobile or stationary objects and surfaces referred to collectively as “docking stations”. A docking station may have one or more docking ports for docking, networking and charging or refueling compact personal UAVs, and for providing data communications between said UAVs and other electronic devices that remain with the person while the UAV is in flight or driving or landed on terrain. Said docking ports may also incorporate wireless power transmission for remote wireless charging of one or more UAV's. Supplemental power for recharging said UAVs when docked may be supplied by integrated battery(s) in said docking port or me be provided directly from the docking station or other connected power source.

A radio controlled model rotorcraft implemented with features improving flight performance using increasing structural stability and increasing rotorcraft visibility and orientation awareness through the use of multifunctioning, configurable, and aesthetically pleasing components.