Patent ID: 7717209

Claim:
An apparatus for producing vertical lift in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a first fan positioned on a first side of the vehicle, said first fan being a trans-flow fan, said first fan having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said vehicle; a second fan positioned on a second side of the vehicle, said second fan being a trans-flow fan, said second side opposite said first side, said second fan having a direction of rotation opposite that of said first fan, said second fan having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said vehicle; a first vane assembly positioned adjacent a discharge outlet of said first fan, said first vane assembly having a first discharge position configured to direct air from said first fan in a forward direction, said first vane assembly having a second discharge position configured to direct air from said first fan in a rearward direction; a second vane assembly positioned adjacent a discharge outlet of said second fan, said second vane assembly having a first discharge position configured to direct air from said second fan in a forward direction, said second vane assembly having a second discharge position configured to direct air from said second fan in a rearward direction; and a skirt defining a volume, said skirt configured to be in communication with said discharge outlet of at least one of said first fan or said second fan, said skirt configured to create a cushion of air that supports said frame.