Ramjet powered rotor blade

Claim 1

A ramjet disposed at the extremity of a rotor blade, said ramjet including fuel nozzles, an igniter, flame arrestors, and a combustion chamber, said ramjet comprising in combination: a first rectangular slot disposed at the leading edge of the rotor blade, said first slot defining the intake port for said ramjet; a second rectangular slot disposed at a point rearward of and in lateral alignment with said first slot in said rotor blade, said second slot defining the exhaust port for said ramjet; an airfoil shaped envelope, including upper and lower skins, extending from said first slot to said second slot, said envelope enclosing the fuel nozzles, igniters and flame arrestors for said ramjet, said envelope being essentially devoid of any protrusions to disrupt the lift generating capability of the extremity of said rotor blade and defining a space of rectangular vertical cross-section; a positionable vane pivotable with respect to said envelope in proximity to said exhaust port to open and close said exhaust port; and means for selectively pivoting said vane downwardly to a first position to increase the lift generating capability of the extremity of the rotor blade while simultaneously opening said exhaust port and pivoting said vane upwardly to a second position in alignment with the airfoil shape of said envelope to reduce the drag of the extremity of the rotor blade while simultaneously closing said exhaust port; whereby, said vane is positioned in said first position to increase the lift of the rotor blade while said ramjet is developing thrust and said vane is positioned in said second position to reduce the drag of the extremity of the rotor blade while said ramjet is not developing thrust.