Aircraft Reverse Thrust Control for Low-Speed eVTOL Maneuvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically propelled vehicles, such as eVTOL aircraft, require a high lift-to-drag ratio, which is often achieved with components that add significant weight, complexity, and cost, particularly through aerodynamic braking or wing lift reduction.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft with reverse thrust capabilities, including a fuselage, flight components, a pilot control, sensors, and a flight controller, that can initiate a reverse thrust command based on detected aircraft data to manage flight modes, allowing for efficient low-speed maneuvers and reducing the need for additional weighty components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerodynamic braking or wing lift reduction components are added to achieve high lift-to-drag ratio, then the lift-to-drag ratio is improved, but the weight, complexity, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for separate aerodynamic braking components by integrating reverse thrust capability directly into the existing propulsion system. The flight components can generate negative thrust to provide braking action, eliminating the need for dedicated aerodynamic brakes and their associated weight and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion system is designed to perform multiple functions: forward thrust for acceleration, reverse thrust for braking, and lift generation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate aerodynamic braking components, reducing overall system weight and complexity while maintaining high lift-to-drag ratio
2Reliability
If aerodynamic braking or wing lift reduction components are added to achieve high lift-to-drag ratio, then the lift-to-drag ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flight components are designed to universally perform propulsion, braking, and lift generation functions through reverse thrust capability. This eliminates the need for separate aerodynamic braking systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining high lift-to-drag ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the braking function with the propulsion system by enabling flight components to generate negative thrust. This consolidation eliminates separate aerodynamic braking components and their associated complexity, while the flight controller integrates management of both forward and reverse thrust operations
3Productivity
If reverse thrust command is initiated to enable efficient low-speed flight operations, then operational efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight controller automatically manages reverse thrust operations based on flight conditions and pilot input, with the system self-regulating the transition from positive to negative thrust. This automation improves operational efficiency while the complexity is contained within the control system rather than requiring additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts thrust direction from forward to reverse based on flight phase and operational requirements. The flight controller continuously monitors flight conditions and commands appropriate thrust directions, enabling efficient low-speed operations through adaptive control rather than fixed mechanical configurations
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft having reverse thrust capabilities, the aircraft includes a fuselage, a plurality of flight components configured to enable the aircraft at a low-speed flight mode, a pilot control, a sensor, an energy source, and a flight controller configured to receive the aircraft datum from the sensor at an initial time, wherein the initial time occurs when at least a flight component of the plurality of flight components produces a positive thrust, initiate a reverse thrust command as a function of the aircraft datum at a subsequent time wherein the reverse thrust command causes the at least a flight component of the plurality of flight components to produce a negative thrust, and the subsequent time occurs temporally after the initial time, and command the at least a flight component of the plurality of flight components to enter a speed reversal region.