Circular Wing Rotorcraft Using Coanda Lift to Shrink Rotor Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotorcrafts, such as multicopters and flying cars, face challenges in reducing size and weight due to reliance on large rotors for lift, leading to increased weight, power consumption, and aerodynamic constraints, which limits flight range and stability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating circular wings with annular curved surfaces that utilize the Coanda effect to generate additional lift, reducing the size and weight of rotors by distributing lift over both rotors and wings, and integrating air jets to enhance lift generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If large rotors are used to generate lift, then lifting capability is improved, but weight and size of the rotorcraft increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lift generation function between rotors and circular wings. The circular wings are integrated into the rotor structure, allowing both components to work together to generate lift. This combination enables the system to achieve the required lifting capability while using smaller rotors, thereby reducing the overall weight of the rotorcraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs circular wings with annular curved surfaces instead of traditional flat or planar wing structures. The curved upper surfaces of the circular wings are specifically designed to utilize the Coanda effect, where air flow following the curved surface generates additional lift. This curvature-based design enhances lift generation efficiency while maintaining a compact structure.
2Force
If large rotors are used to generate lift, then lifting capability is improved, but size of the rotorcraft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circular wings are integrated into the rotor assembly, merging two lift-generating components into a unified structure. This integration allows the system to achieve sufficient lift with smaller rotor dimensions, thereby reducing the overall size of the rotorcraft while maintaining lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular wings with annular curved surfaces provide an aerodynamic advantage through the Coanda effect. The curved geometry allows air flow to adhere to the surface and be deflected downward, generating lift without requiring large rotor blade spans. This enables compact rotor design while achieving the necessary lifting force.
3Weight of moving object
If rotors are reduced in size, then weight is reduced, but lifting capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lift generation functions of rotors and circular wings into a single integrated system. The circular wings are positioned to work in conjunction with the rotors, with their curved upper surfaces utilizing the Coanda effect to generate additional lift. This merging allows smaller rotors to achieve the same total lifting capability as larger rotors would provide alone, thereby reducing weight while maintaining lifting performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes aerodynamic principles, specifically the Coanda effect, to enhance lift generation. The curved upper surfaces of the circular wings guide air flow along their contours, creating a low-pressure region above the wings and a high-pressure region below, which generates additional lift force. This pneumatic/aerodynamic mechanism compensates for the reduced rotor size, maintaining lifting capability while reducing weight.
4Device complexity
If conventional rotor-only lift generation is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flight range and stability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates circular wings into the rotor structure, creating a hybrid lift-generating system. This merging provides multiple benefits: the circular wings generate additional lift through the Coanda effect, improving overall lift efficiency; the integrated design maintains relative structural simplicity; and the enhanced lift capability extends flight range and improves stability. The system achieves better performance without excessive complexity increase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The integration of circular wings with rotors reduces the size and weight of the rotorcraft, improves stability, extends flight range, and enhances safety and quietness by distributing lift and reducing structural weight and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
Upper surfaces of the circular wings have annular curved surfaces and thereby are convex upward respectively. The circular wings cause Coanda effects by the upper surfaces respectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotorcraft includes a fuselage, rotors and circular wings. The rotors are attached to the fuselage. The rotors are attached to the fuselage. The circular wings are disposed under the rotors respectively. Upper surfaces of the circular wings have annular curved surfaces and thereby are convex upward respectively. The circular wings cause Coanda effects by the upper surfaces respectively. First lift is generated by rotating the rotors. Second lift is generated by the Coanda effects by the circular wings. Third lift is generated by air jets deflected downward along the upper surfaces of the circular wings respectively.