Abstract

b) of the rotor (120) to transmit tractive force as tangential forces and resultant torque sufficient to drive the rotor (120) and thereby generate lift. The aerodynamic lifting device may be used in airborne craft which may be deployed for waterborne use with a buoyant chassis (200), especially of toroidal shape, for elevating the rotor (120) above a water surface (300) during take off and landing.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64C 23/00 - Influencing air flow over aircraft surfaces, not otherwise provided for
• B64C 39/06 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for having disc- or ring-shaped wings
• A63H 27/00 - Toy aircraftOther flying toys
• B60V 1/04 - Air-cushion vehicles wherein the cushion is contained at least in part by walls
• B60V 3/06 - Waterborne vessels

Abstract

An aerodynamic lifting device comprises a chassis (200); a rotor (120) having a rotational axis (R) and a plurality of rotor blades (123) disposed in an annular ring about the rotational axis (R) supported by the chassis (200); and a torque transmission means (126,130,139) to provide tractive force for rotating the rotor (120). The torque transmission means (126,130,139) co-operates with at least one complementary and circumferentially extending drive surface (126a, 126b) of the rotor (120) to transmit tractive force as tangential forces and resultant torque sufficient to drive the rotor (120) and thereby generate lift. The aerodynamic lifting device may be used in airborne craft which may be deployed for waterborne use with a buoyant chassis (200), especially of toroidal shape, for elevating the rotor (120) above a water surface (300) during take off and landing.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63H 27/127 - Flying toys capable of landing or taking-off verticallyFlying tops
• B64C 27/20 - Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms
• B64C 29/00 - Aircraft capable of landing or taking-off vertically, e.g. vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft
• B64C 39/00 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A fluid dynamic device (100) for directing fluid flow to generate thrust comprising a thrust control shroud (130) disposed about a central axis (210) of said fluid dynamic device (100) for directing a fluid flow between an upstream fluid intake region (220) and a downstream fluid exit region (222), forming a fluid exit area, of said shroud (130) to generate thrust wherein a displacement of said fluid exit region (222) of said shroud (130) with respect to said central axis (210) results in a translation of said fluid exit area (222) such that the level of shear stress induced in that part of the shroud (130) disposed laterally to the direction of translation of the shroud (130) is minimized.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64C 29/00 - Aircraft capable of landing or taking-off vertically, e.g. vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft
• B64C 29/02 - Aircraft capable of landing or taking-off vertically, e.g. vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft having its flight directional axis vertical when grounded
• B05B 12/00 - Arrangements for controlling deliveryArrangements for controlling the spray area

Abstract

A fluid dynamic device (100) for directing fluid flow to generate thrust comprising a thrust control shroud (130) disposed about a central axis (210) of said fluid dynamic device (100) for directing a fluid flow between an upstream fluid intake region (220) and a downstream fluid exit region (222), forming a fluid exit area, of said shroud (130) to generate thrust wherein a displacement of said fluid exit region (222) of said shroud (130) with respect to said central axis (210) results in a translation of said fluid exit area (222) such that the level of shear stress induced in that part of the shroud (130) disposed laterally to the direction of translation of the shroud (130) is minimised.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64C 29/02 - Aircraft capable of landing or taking-off vertically, e.g. vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft having its flight directional axis vertical when grounded
• B64C 15/02 - Attitude, flight direction or altitude control by jet reaction the jets being propulsion jets
• B64C 39/00 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for
• B64C 7/00 - Structures or fairings not otherwise provided for
• B64C 27/20 - Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms
• B64D 33/04 - Arrangement in aircraft of power plant parts or auxiliaries not otherwise provided for of exhaust outlets or jet pipes

Abstract

A process for manufacturing a component (20) comprises: a) forming a core (305) of the component (20) from a blank material; b) applying a skin (310) of material to said core (305) to form a component (20) such component (20) having an upper surface portion (304) and a lower surface portion (303); c) inserting the component (20) into a mold (320), such mold (320) comprising an upper mold surface (321 ) for molding a lower surface portion (303) of the component (20) and an intensifier (325), said intensifier (325) comprising at least a portion (330) of an interstitial mold surface disposed between said upper and lower component surface portions (303, 304); and d) subjecting the intensifier (325) to a pressure for a period of time during a curing process so as to bring the intensifier (325) into intimate contact with the component (20).

IPC Classes  ?

• B29C 43/10 - Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non-rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts or dies
• B29C 33/00 - Moulds or coresDetails thereof or accessories therefor
• B29C 33/12 - Moulds or coresDetails thereof or accessories therefor with incorporated means for positioning inserts, e.g. labels
• B29C 43/00 - Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding materialApparatus therefor

Abstract

An airborne craft is provided comprising an aerodynamic lifting device having a radial drum fan and a thrust vectoring shroud. The radial drum or vertical axis fan comprises a fan with a rotor, the rotor having a rotational axis and comprising a plurality of rotor blades disposed in an annular ring about the rotational axis and a driving means for the rotor such that, on operation of the driving means, lift is generated.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64C 29/00 - Aircraft capable of landing or taking-off vertically, e.g. vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft

Abstract

A device useful for generating lift in airborne craft has a radial drum or drum rotor fan with an operating region intermediate the power loading ('y') asymptotic region and the disc loading ('x') asymptotic region of a power loading - disc loading characteristic for the lifting device. The drum rotor fan comprises a fan with a rotor, the rotor having a rotational axis and comprising a plurality of rotor blades disposed in an annular ring about the rotational axis and a driving means for the rotor such that, on operation of the driving means, lift is generated. A thrust vectoring means is advantageously included for directional control of vehicle incorporating the lifting device.

IPC Classes  ?

• F04D 17/04 - Radial-flow pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids, e.g. centrifugal pumpsHelico-centrifugal pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids having non-centrifugal stages, e.g. centripetal of transverse-flow type
• F04D 29/02 - Selection of particular materials
• D04D 5/00 - Fringes
• F04D 29/28 - Rotors specially adapted for elastic fluids for centrifugal or helico-centrifugal pumps