Patent ID: 6845942
Filing Date: 2005-01-25
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. An omni-directional air vehicle comprising: a pod; a turbofan system having an articulated connection to the pod, the turbofan system having a ducted fan with counter rotating propellers, a spherical articulation mechanism with a projecting arm on which the propellers are mounted, and a shroud with struts connected to the projecting arm, wherein the pod has a body with the spherical articulation mechanism begin seated in the body of the pod, with the projecting arm projecting from the pod and with the spherical articulation mechanism having means for limited articulation of the projecting arm relative to the pod wherein the angular position of the turbofan system relative to the pod is changeable, and the ducted fan has counter-rotating electric motors driving the counter-rotating propellers; and, a power source connected to the counter-rotating electric motors.