Leading-edge ducted fan thrust reduction system

1 . A powered aerodynamic lift device, comprising:

a) one or more electric lift augmentation systems (ELAS) distributed along a span of an aerodynamic lifting element (ALE), each ELAS comprising:

ii) one or more nacelles positioned along the leading edge of an aerodynamic lifting element;

ii) an electric duct fan (EDF) housed within each of the one or more nacelles, each EDF comprising a fan and a power source to operate the fan, wherein each EDF forces accelerated air through the fan;

b) one or more drag elements pivotably connected to the nacelle, facing forward or backward, and comprising a rotatable/hinged/pivotable plate connected to a control element able to rotate the plate to create a range of drag; and

c) wherein the one or more ELAS increase an airplane lift.

2 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of holes or vents in the one or more drag elements or the one or more nacelles.

3 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more drag elements comprise one or more shapes of: a planar flat plate; a curved flat plate shaped to fit over a nacelle when stowed; and an airfoil shape curved to fit over the ALE when stowed.

4 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 3 , wherein the planar flat plates comprise: rectangular; rectangular with rounded corners; and rectangular while tapered moving aft.

5 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more drag elements are rotatable from one or more positions that create drag to stowed positions that create no drag.

6 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical circuit control system comprising a master control unit able to control the operation of the one or more drag elements, the master control unit comprising: 1) a plurality of electronic speed controllers (ESCs) able to control the speed of the EDFs, 2) a plurality of pivot control units to position the drag elements; and 3) a plurality of actuators.

7 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 6 , wherein the master control unit further controls the modulation of energy supplied by the power source to the EDFs and drag elements, wherein the power source comprises one or more of: batteries, a fuel cell, an engine/generator or other electrical energy source.

8 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator element coupled to each drag element, or to all drag elements connected to one nacelle, or to all drag elements connected to the ALE, wherein the actuator element enables a pilot to control the rotation of the drag element(s).

9 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 8 , wherein the actuator element further controls the modulation of energy supplied by the power source to the drag elements, wherein the power source comprises one or more of: batteries, a fuel cell, an engine/generator or other energy source comprising: pneumatically, hydraulically, or by using the flowing air to provide actuation force.

10 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 1 , wherein the drag elements are controlled by the pilot, manually or automatically or some combination thereof.

11 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 1 , further comprising a gap between the drag element and a surface the drag element is attached to, the surface comprising: the ALE; the nacelle; or a slat.

12 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 1 , comprising one drag element per ELAS.

13 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 1 , comprising a pair of opposing drag elements per ELAS.

14 . A powered aerodynamic lift device, comprising:

a) one or more electric lift augmentation systems (ELAS) distributed along a span of an aerodynamic lifting element (ALE), each ELAS comprising:

ii) one or more nacelles positioned along the leading edge of an aerodynamic lifting element;

ii) an electric duct fan (EDF) housed within each of the one or more nacelles, each EDF comprising a fan and a power source to operate the fan, wherein each EDF forces accelerated air through the fan;

b) a pair of opposing drag elements pivotably connected per ELAS, and comprising a rotatable/hinged/pivotable plate connected to a control element able to rotate the plate to create a range of drag; and

c) wherein the one or more ELAS increase an airplane lift.

15 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 14 , wherein the pair of drag elements are positioned on the nacelle, facing forward or backward.

16 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 14 , wherein the ELAS further comprises a pylon positioned perpendicularly between the nacelle and the airfoil, and wherein the pair of drag elements are positioned on the pylon, facing forward or backward.

17 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 14 , wherein the ALE further comprises one or more slats, and wherein the pair of drag elements are positioned on the one or more slats facing forward or backward.

18 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 14 , wherein the pair of drag elements comprise one or more shapes of: a planar flat plate; a curved flat plate shaped to fit over a nacelle when stowed; and an airfoil shape curved to fit over the ALE when stowed.

19 . The powered aerodynamic lift device of claim 14 , wherein the pair of drag elements are rotatable from one or more positions that create drag to stowed positions that create no drag.