CPC F04D 29/052 (2013.01) [F04D 19/002 (2013.01); F04D 29/325 (2013.01); F04D 29/526 (2013.01); B60F 3/0007 (2013.01); B60F 5/00 (2013.01); F05B 2240/14 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A fan engine, comprising:
a mechanical fan in communication with a motor, the motor configured to cause the fan to rotate about a rotational axis, the mechanical fan having a plurality of blades concentrically arranged about the rotational axis;
a shroud concentrically aligned with the mechanical fan about the rotational axis;
a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan independently rotates with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow; and
a drive-wheel configuration in which the motor causes rotation of at least a portion of the shroud about the rotational axis.
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