Other

Textron Systems Corporation

Stephen W Miller

Sean Marshall Baity

Peter J Helman

Zachary J Smith

A separated lift-thrust (SLT) aircraft includes a longitudinal-thrust engine and articulated electric rotors, at least some of which are variable-position rotors having variable orientations based on rotor position signals. Control circuitry independently controls thrust of the longitudinal-thrust engine and the thrust and orientation of each of the variable-position rotors, relative to the aircraft lifting surface and longitudinal thrust engine, to provide for commanded thrust-vectoring maneuvering of the aircraft during VTOL, fixed wing flight, and intermediate transitional states, including maintenance of a desired pose of the lifting surface independent of orientation of the rotor orientations when hovering the aircraft in windy conditions. A flight and navigation control system automates flight maneuvers and maintains desired aircraft pose and position relative to static or dynamic coordinates during station keeping, tracking, avoidance, or convergence maneuvers.

Separated lift-thrust VTOL aircraft with articulated rotors

A camera case comprising two mating shells. A swivelable mounting device on the first shell allows a camera to be mounted to that shell for taking photographs. In their mated relationship, the shells fully enclose the camera. The shells are connected by a flexible or hinged strap, or by the swivelable camera mounting device itself, whereby the second shell can be rotated so as to serve as a stable base supporting the first shell, with the camera mounted to it for taking photographs, on any convenient generally horizontal surface.

Growing community of inventors

Perry Hall, MD, United States of America

Stephen W Miller