Aerolift systems and methods using air ducts and lifting bodies

An aerolift system comprising:

• a main body;
• a first propulsion system and a second propulsion system, the first propulsion system and the second propulsion system interconnected by the main body, the first propulsion system and the second propulsion system each comprising:
• a central body;
• a propulsion unit connected to the central body and configured to move air;
• a duct having an annular inlet extending around the central body, the annular inlet configured to receive the air moved by the propulsion unit and to expel the air out of an annular outlet of the duct, wherein the annular inlet extends along an inlet axis and the annular outlet extends along an outlet axis, wherein the inlet axis and the outlet axis define a turn angle therebetween;
• and
• at least one lifting body configured to receive the air expelled from the annular outlet of the duct such that the air imparts a lifting force on the at least one lifting body;
• a motor positioned within the main body;
• and
• a transmission positioned within the main body connecting the motor to the first propulsion system and to the second propulsion system to power the propulsion unit of the first propulsion system and the second propulsion system.

An aerolift system comprising:

• a plurality of propulsion systems arranged in a grid about a central axis, the plurality of propulsion systems interconnected by a plurality of support rods, the plurality of propulsion systems each comprising:
• a central body;
• a propulsion unit connected to the central body and configured to move air;
• a duct having an annular inlet extending around the central body, the annular inlet configured to receive the air moved by the propulsion unit and to expel the air out of an annular outlet of the duct, wherein the annular inlet extends along an inlet axis and the annular outlet extends along an outlet axis, wherein the inlet axis and the outlet axis define a turn angle therebetween;
• and
• at least one lifting body configured to receive the air expelled from the annular outlet of the duct such that the air imparts a lifting force on the at least one lifting body.