EVOTL with small air bag

Abstract

The invention provides a novel eVTOL with a small air bag, which can also be called as a lifting and floating integrated manned electric airship and comprises a single lens-shaped bag body 1 and a passenger cabin 6, curtain cloth 3 in the single lens-shaped bag body 1 is connected to a carbon fiber embedded part 2 located at the bottom through a tie bar 4, and a metal ring 5 is arranged at the exposed part of the carbon fiber embedded part 2. And the passenger cabin 6 is arranged on the metal ring 5. The eVTOL with the small air bag lifts off and flies by simultaneously utilizing dynamic lift force and buoyancy force, is long in hang time, low in power consumption and convenient to disassemble, and has good flight performance, take-off and landing performance and economical efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), and in particular to a novel eVTOL with a small helium bag, which can also be called a manned electric airship with lift and float integration. Background Art

[0002] The eVOTL uses an electric propulsion system as its power base and can take off and land vertically and fly horizontally. It consists of structural parts, energy power, navigation control and communication parts, including hardware parts such as electric motors, battery packs, thrusters, sensors, communication and navigation modules, measurement and control devices, onboard computers and other avionics equipment, as well as software parts such as flight management systems, flight control systems and specific functional modules.

[0003] eVOTL has the advantages of safety, reliability, economy, comfort, intelligence, energy saving and environmental protection, and has great potential in urban air traffic. On the one hand, it can take off and land in a smaller space and does not require a long runway like traditional aircraft, making it suitable for use in city centers or areas with limited space. On the other hand, electric drive is relatively environmentally friendly and has relatively low noise.

[0004] Existing eVOTL can be divided into vector thrust configuration, composite wing configuration, multi-rotor configuration and single rotor configuration. Like airplanes, these eVTOLs can cause the aircraft to fall vertically and quickly to the ground in case of emergency, such as motor failure, collision with a flock of birds, etc. These eVOTLs have the disadvantages of poor power, short hovering time and high power consumption.

[0005] Traditional airships generally have huge airbag volumes (often reaching thousands or even tens of thousands of cubic meters), occupy a huge area, require professional mooring, have low mooring efficiency, are complex to operate, and require a large number of ground service personnel. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an eVOTL with a small airbag, also known as a manned electric airship with lifting and floating functions, which combines the airbag with an electric cabin to form a new type of vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which has the advantages of strong power, long hovering time, low power consumption, easy disassembly, high comfort and safety, and will not fall rapidly, thereby reducing the probability of accidents and crashes.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides an eVTOL with a small airbag, which is a new type of aircraft between a traditional airship (the traditional airship capsule is huge in size, and the entire airship is lighter than air, so it is called an airship) and a traditional eVTOL. The eVTOL with a small airbag is heavier than air. The eVTOL of the present invention includes: a single lens-shaped capsule 1 and a cabin 6. The curtain 3 in the single lens-shaped capsule 1 is connected to a carbon fiber embedded part 2 at the bottom through a tie rod 4. The exposed part of the carbon fiber embedded part 2 is provided with a metal ring 5, and the cabin 6 is installed on the metal ring 5.

[0008] Preferably, the single lens-shaped capsule 1 is a plain capsule with a volume of only 200 to 500 cubic meters. The single lens-shaped capsule 1 filled with helium can provide a buoyancy of about 200-500KG.

[0009] Preferably, a tilt-ducted fan vector electric propulsion system 7 is provided on both sides outside the bottom of the cabin 6, and a propeller thruster 8 is provided behind the tail of the cabin 6.

[0010] Preferably, a plurality of locking devices are provided on the outside of the cabin 6, which are used to fall into a designated platform and lock the cabin with corresponding locking devices in the platform.

[0011] Preferably, the locking device is a physical lock or an electromagnetic lock.

[0012] Preferably, a helium charging and discharging port for inflating and discharging the bladder 1 is provided inside the cabin 6 .

[0013] Preferably, a pressure relief control device is provided in the passenger cabin 6, and the pressure relief control device is activated to slowly release the gas in the airbag body 1 to prevent the airbag from escaping alone.

[0014] Preferably, a safety cable with a hook is provided in the pod 2.

[0015] Preferably, the single lens-shaped capsule (1) is detachable; the single lens-shaped capsule (1) is foldable for easy transportation.

[0016] An eVTOL with a small helium bag provided in an embodiment of the present invention is a new type of aircraft between the traditional lighter-than-air airship and the current heavier-than-air eVTOL. Compared with the rotary wing eVTOL or the composite wing eVTOL, the eVTOL in this example has an additional small helium bag with buoyancy. Although the large size of the bag affects the flight speed to a certain extent, the overall safety of the aircraft is improved and the hovering time is increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1It is a schematic structural diagram of an eVTOL with a small airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure numerals: 1-lens-shaped capsule; 2-carbon fiber embedded parts; 3-curtain fabric; 4-tensioning rod; 5-first automatic locking device; 6-cabin; 7-ducted fan vector electric propulsion system; 8-propeller thruster; 9-battery pack; 10-control device; 11-second automatic locking device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings below. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments in this application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other arbitrarily. The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are only illustrative and not restrictive.

[0020] An eVTOL with a small airbag provided in an embodiment of the present invention, which can also be called a manned electric airship with lift and levitation, is a new type of aircraft between the traditional lighter-than-air airship and the popular heavier-than-air eVTOL. Compared with the rotary-wing eVTOL or composite-wing eVTOL, the eVTOL in this example has an additional helium airbag with buoyancy. Although the airbag affects the flight speed to a certain extent, the overall safety of the aircraft is improved, the hovering time is increased, and the power loss is reduced.

[0021] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an eVTOL with a small airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, an eVTOL with a small airbag includes a single lens-shaped capsule 1 and a cabin 6. The curtain 3 in the single lens-shaped capsule 1 is connected to the carbon fiber embedded part 2 at the bottom through a tie rod 4. The exposed part of the carbon fiber embedded part 2 is provided with a metal ring. The cabin 6 is installed on the metal ring by screws or buckles, so that the cabin 6 can be easily installed or removed.

[0022] In this embodiment, the carbon fiber embedded part 2 is a row of grid-shaped carbon fiber wires installed at the bottom of the inner capsule, which is equivalent to steel bars, and then a layer of capsule cloth is heat-sealed or bonded on the steel bars to disperse the force of this part, and then a circle of curtain cloth is heat-sealed on the bottom capsule to connect the metal ring. The bottom of the capsule is a circle, and the area of ​​the carbon fiber embedded part is larger than the circle of the metal ring outside the capsule.

[0023] Conventional airships are huge, usually more than thousands of cubic meters. The capsule and the pod are generally combined in an integral heat-sealed manner or in a hanging basket. Regardless of the integral or hanging basket combination, it is difficult to achieve rapid separation of the capsule and the pod. The cabin 6 of the eVTOL of this embodiment is mounted on a metal ring by bolts or buckles, so that the cabin can be detached and quickly separated, which is convenient for replacement, maintenance and capsule storage. The airbag of this embodiment is also detachable and foldable for easy transportation.

[0024] The eVTOL of the embodiment of the present invention has only one lens-shaped airbag and no auxiliary airbag. It is designed as a plain airbag body, that is, the airbag of this embodiment is an empty airbag body, and there is no air pump or air bag inside. The airbag configuration of the eVTOL of this embodiment is different from that of a conventional airship. Conventional airships are generally equipped with a main airbag (filled with helium) and an auxiliary airbag (filled with air). The auxiliary airbag can be used to adjust the center of gravity of the airship and maintain aerodynamic balance, thereby improving flight stability. However, the auxiliary airbag body and its matching air pump / exhaust valve also increase the weight of the airship, greatly reducing the payload.

[0025] The lift of the eVTOL with helium airbag in this embodiment is composed of dynamic lift and static buoyancy, wherein the buoyancy of the airbag of the eVTOL determines its takeoff weight, and the following formula is derived from Archimedes' buoyancy theorem:

[0026] F 静 =(ρ a -ρ he )*V*g (1)

[0027] Among them, F 静 is the total net buoyancy of the eVTOL airbag, ρ a is the air density, ρ he is the density of helium, V is the volume of the capsule, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Under standard conditions (temperature at sea level is 0°C and atmospheric pressure is 1atm), the density of air is 1.293kg / m3 and the density of helium is 0.1785kg / m 3 , g is 9.80665m / s 2 .

[0028] By calculation, it can be concluded that the net buoyancy generated by 1 cubic meter of helium is about 10.93N. From formula (1), it can be seen that under standard conditions (temperature at sea level is 0℃ and atmospheric pressure is 1atm), if the volume of the main capsule is 200-500 cubic meters, it can provide a net buoyancy of about 2186~5465N (about 222.9~557.25 kg weight). This small lens-shaped capsule can reduce the motor power (instantaneous load) and quantity required for eVTOL takeoff. At the same time, the buoyancy of a certain volume of floating air bag in the air can also reduce the discharge of the eVTOL battery pack in the air to extend the hovering time. The lens-shaped design and a certain area can make it easier for eVTOL to capture rising air currents, and even glide or float for a longer time and distance when stopped or idling at a certain altitude.

[0029] The eVOTL of a certain (Yibo) Hang, which has just obtained the airworthiness certificate, has a maximum takeoff weight of 650 kg and a battery of only more than 30 degrees of electricity. It consumes about 10 degrees for takeoff and about 10 degrees for landing, and can only stay in the air for 20 minutes. The eVOTL of this embodiment can stay in the air for two hours with the same wattage. If it encounters an updraft, it can stay in the air for a longer time by using the wing surface of the lens-shaped capsule. It can be assisted by a special platform during takeoff and landing, and consumes less than 5 degrees of electricity. Compared with the existing technology, it greatly reduces the battery energy consumption of the aircraft.

[0030] The volume of the airbag of the eVTOL of the embodiment of the present invention can be between 200 cubic meters and 500 cubic meters. The airbag alone can increase the buoyancy equivalent to about 200 kilograms to 500 kilograms, which is lighter and more energy-efficient than the existing eVTOL, and can stay in the air longer (up to 2 hours, several times that of the existing technology). It can idle in the air, and the wing surface of the flat capsule can use the rising airflow to increase the altitude in the air. These are the advantages brought by the lens-shaped capsule. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the eVTOL airbag is set to 200 cubic meters to 500 cubic meters.

[0031] In this embodiment, the lens-shaped airbag and the spherical cabin below form an inverted triangle, which effectively lowers the center of gravity of the airship. The center of gravity of the airship and the center of lift overlap or are very close, and the center of buoyancy is always below the center of gravity. When stationary, the center of buoyancy and the center of gravity remain on the same plumb line. Its design conforms to the statically stable configuration and ensures the comfort and safety of passengers. The lens-shaped capsule design reduces turbulence through the front-pointed and rear-expanded streamlined shape, significantly reduces aerodynamic drag, thereby optimizing aerodynamic performance and improving flight performance. The stability of the eVTOL is significantly improved during flight. Even when the battery is exhausted, the eVTOL of this embodiment will not fall rapidly, and can glide in the air, greatly improving the safety and reliability of flight.

[0032] Existing eVTOLs have a short hovering time, and once they stall or the engine stops in the air, they will fall freely. Although the eVTOL of this embodiment is heavier than air as a whole with a helium bag installed, its weight in the air is much lighter than that of an eVTOL without a helium bag, and it has an umbrella-shaped disc-shaped airbag wing surface, so it can better obtain hovering time and will not fall as quickly as a free fall. In particular, the reaction time at low altitudes is longer, and it is easier to land smoothly and safely. Another advantage of the lens-shaped airbag is that the lens-shaped airbag has a larger disc-shaped bottom wing area, which is conducive to climbing with the help of updrafts (such as the principle that glider wings rise with the help of updrafts to increase range and hovering time), increasing hovering time and reducing power consumption.

[0033] The lens-shaped airbag similar to the disc-shaped airbag in this embodiment has a larger force-bearing surface. During takeoff, it can be assisted by the blower of the matching special transceiver platform. During landing, the blower of the matching special transceiver platform can provide reverse suction force to firmly adsorb the lens-shaped capsule. In this way, the eVTOL of this embodiment saves energy during takeoff and landing, which is conducive to extending the hovering time.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the lens-shaped airbag is a small airbag of 200-500 cubic meters, which can obtain a lift of 200-500 kilograms (the lift generated by 1 cubic meter of helium is approximately equal to 1 kilogram of lift).

[0035] The metal ring for installing the cabin in this embodiment can also be a locker, such as the first automatic locker 5 in the figure. When the eVTOL falls into the designated storage platform, it is locked with the corresponding lock in the designated storage platform.

[0036] In one embodiment, a second automatic locker 11 is also provided on the outer side of the bottom of the cabin 2. Optionally, the second automatic locker 11 may be an electromagnetic locker or a physical lock. When the eVTOL falls into the designated storage platform, it is locked with the corresponding lock in the designated storage platform. In this embodiment, a double locking device is designed at the bottom of the pod for the anchoring and fixing operation of the eVTOL, one is an electromagnetic clamping device and the other is a physical lock.

[0037] Of course, multiple locks can be provided on the cabin 2, and are not limited to the above embodiments.

[0038] Optionally, a helium charging and discharging port (not shown) for inflating and discharging the airbag 1 may be provided inside the cabin 2 of the embodiment. The helium charging and discharging port of the airbag is cleverly designed inside the cabin 2. Once the airbag is separated from the cabin, the helium automatically leaks. This design is to prevent the airbag from escaping.

[0039] In one embodiment, a pressure relief control device may be further provided inside the cabin 2 , and the gas in the bladder 1 may be slowly released by starting the pressure relief control device.

[0040] The tiltable ducted fan vector electric propulsion system includes a ducted fan, a drive motor and a controller. The ducted fan vector electric propulsion system refers to an electric drive power device composed of a ducted fan, a drive motor and its controller. By inputting appropriate voltage and electric power to drive the blades to rotate at high speed, it can generate continuous and controllable push (pull) force.

[0041] The eVTOL with a small airbag of this embodiment can be provided with multiple ducted fan vector electric propulsion systems. The eVTOL of this embodiment utilizes ducted fan vector power combined with helium buoyancy, and utilizes electric lift propellers and thrust propellers to drive the eVTOL, thereby achieving flexible vertical take-off and landing and flight control.

[0042] The ducted fan vector electric propulsion system of the eVTOL provides powerful and appropriate thrust and stability, while achieving low noise and high efficiency flight performance. In this embodiment, a battery pack 9 and a control device 10 are also provided inside the cabin. The electric motor and the rechargeable battery pack provide a power source for the eVTOL.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, two ducted fan vector electric propulsion systems (i.e., tilt-ducted lift-thrust propellers) are distributed on the left and right sides of the cabin 6, and a propeller propeller 8 is provided at the rear of the cabin 6.

[0044] The eVTOL of this embodiment integrates advanced technologies such as high-precision navigation, obstacle avoidance, and autonomous flight control to ensure flight safety and achieve fully autonomous flight and intelligent control.

[0045] In order to ensure flight and passenger safety, the eVTOL with a small airbag in an embodiment of the present invention may also include visual, laser, radar collision warning, pressure relief control device, pod safety lock (not shown), etc. In an emergency, the pressure relief control device can be activated to slowly release helium to achieve a slow and safe landing. When flying close to the ground, in an emergency, a safety cable with a hook can be dropped from the pod to hook onto a stable ground attachment to prevent the eVTOL from escaping due to wind disturbance and achieve temporary anchoring.

[0046] This embodiment provides an eVTOL with a small airbag. Although the flight speed is slowed down, the safety and the duration of hovering in the air are increased. The principle is that the helium airbag has a large volume, and the airbag is made of polymer material, which is particularly tough and resistant to rubbing. In addition, the airbag of the airship is a low-pressure airbag, and the internal pressure of the airship is usually between 1 and 2 inches of water column (about 250-500 Pa). The pressure inside the airbag of the airship is usually slightly higher than the ambient pressure to maintain the aerodynamic shape of the airship. Even if there is a hole in the airbag in the air, the helium will not leak sharply, so the safety factor is high.

[0047] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. Of course, the present invention may also have many other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art may make various corresponding changes and modifications based on the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. An eVTOL with a small airbag, characterized by: The invention comprises a single lens-shaped capsule (1) and a cabin (6); a curtain (3) in the single lens-shaped capsule (1) is connected to a carbon fiber embedded part (2) located at the bottom through a tie rod (4); a metal ring (5) is provided on the exposed part of the carbon fiber embedded part (2); and the cabin (6) is mounted on the metal ring (5).

2. The eVTOL with a small airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that: The volume of the single lens-shaped capsule (1) is 200 to 500 cubic meters.

3. The eVTOL with a small airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that: A tilting ducted fan vector electric propulsion system (7) is respectively arranged on both sides outside the bottom of the cabin (6), and a propeller thruster (8) is arranged at the rear of the cabin (6).

4. The eVTOL with a small airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cabin (6) is provided with a plurality of locking devices on the outside thereof, which are used to fall into a designated platform and lock the cabin with corresponding locking devices in the platform.

5. The eVTOL with a small airbag according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locking device is a physical lock or an electromagnetic lock.

6. The eVTOL with a small airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that: A helium gas charging and discharging recovery port for inflating and discharging the single lens-shaped capsule (1) is arranged inside the cabin (6).

7. The eVTOL with a small airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that: A safety pressure relief control device is provided in the cabin (6), and the pressure relief control device is activated to release the gas in the bladder (1).

8. The eVTOL with a small airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that: A safety cable with a hook is arranged in the pod (2).

9. The eVTOL with a small airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The single lens-shaped capsule (1) is detachable; The single lens-shaped capsule (1) is foldable.

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