Electric VTOL Aircraft

Abstract

An electric and hybrid Vertical-Take Off and Landing (“VTOL”) aircraft is disclosed comprising a plurality of small Electric Ducted Fans (“EDFs”) of various sizes and orientations. The thrust of each fixed EDF is individually controlled by modulation of motor power by one or more onboard microcomputers connected to a plurality of onboard laser distance measuring sensors, at least three onboard three-axis accelerometers and at least one GPS thereby allowing extremely precise and safe VTOL operation. The aircraft may be employed to allow robotic and passenger vehicles to transition extremely quickly between normal linear flight and VTOL and tb operate in extreme and gusty conditions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 257,810 filed Sep. 20, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,096,314 which represents a National Stage application of PCT / GB2010 / 000520 entitled “Electric VTOL Aircraft” filed Mar. 22, 2010, pending.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of electric aviation and in particular to the stable Vertical Take-Off and Landing (“VTOL”) capability of flying platforms and vehicles and to the controlled transition from VTOL to linear flight.[0003]Various groups are currently involved in producing electric aeroplanes although the technology is still in its infancy.[0004]Manned electric aircraft trace their history to the French Dirigible, La France, which flew in 1884 a distance of five miles in 23 minutes powered by a 7.5 horsepower electric motor and Chromium Chloride batteries.[0005]On Jul. 16, 2006 the Tokyo Institute of Technology flew a full-sized...

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Benefits of technology

[0205]Another extremely pertinent fact is that currently an enormous effort worldwide is being focused into developing the technology of electrical energy storage as the world tries to abandon the wide-scale use of fossil fuels. Electrical cars will require lighter and more powerful batteries. So too large-scale electrical energy storage will be required for solar, wind and wave generators that produce energy in a non-continuous fashion. With such enormous effort being concentrated in this field it must be regarde

Problems solved by technology

However, many are extremely complex and costly aircraft.

However, the flight stability

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