Abstract:
A method of generating lift for a vehicle including heating a flow of gas using a gas generator mounted on the vehicle that contributes no more than about ten percent of thrust used to propel the vehicle in a forward direction, and driving a lift fan using the heated gas flow to generate lift for the vehicle.
Abstract:
An aircraft having a fuselage with a nose and a flat tail at opposite ends and a pair of wings extending therefrom. A pair of nacelles are detachably connected to the top of respective ones of the wings to be spaced from the fuselage to establish an air flow space therebetween, Each wing-mounted nacelle includes a plurality of fans, a corresponding plurality of electric motors to drive the fans, and dividers that separate the fans from one another. Each wing-mounted nacelle also includes a pair of rotatable air inlet slats at an air intake end and a pair of rotatable air exhaust flaps at an air exhaust end that are rotated relative to one another to control horizontal propulsive thrust, thrust vectoring and thrust reversing of the aircraft. A third nacelle is mounted on top of the flat tail of the fuselage between a pair of horizontal turbo generators.
Abstract:
A device adapted to be removably placed over a computer keyboard which converts the keyboard to the format of a muscial instrument. The computer is programmed such that selected computer keys of the keyboard will synthesize different musical sounds. The device includes a housing and a plurality of first keys and second keys which are pivotally mounted to the housing. The first and second keys are arranged in a row and are accessible through a cutout in the housing. The first and second keys are shaped to simulate piano or organ keys (white and black). The first and second keys are positioned to register with the selected computer keys. Depressing the first and second keys respectfully depresses corresponding computer keys such that playing of a piano or organ is simulated. The device can also employ a second row of keys.
Abstract:
A laser beam pointing system, adapted for use in an aircraft. A preferred embodiment of the system includes: a laser beam source, within the aircraft, emitting a laser beam; and, a plurality of laser beam pointing devices in optical alignment with the laser beam. Each pointing device includes: a cylindrical shaped rotatable housing with a window, and either one or two rotatable optical means in optical alignment with the laser beam. One preferred arrangement is the mounting of one pointing device on the upper external surface of the aircraft fuselage, and of another pointing device on the lower external surface of the aircraft fuselage in a location oppositely disposed to and below the other pointing device, with the two pointing devices being in parallel relationship to each other, and with the pointing devices mounted flush with the aerodynamically configurated external surfaces of the fuselage. Another preferred arrangement is the mounting of one of the pointing devices on the leading edge of a left side fairing of the aircraft, and of another pointing device on the leading edge of the right side fairing of the aircraft angularly positioned with respect to the other pointing device, so that their respective axes are in the same plane and the axes would intersect if extended, and with the pointing devices mounted flush with the aerodynamically configurated leading edge of the respective fairings. This inventive system, unlike the prior art, permits the emitted laser beam to be projected over a broad range of angles with little or no aerodynamic interference with the aircraft on which it is mounted and used.