Compact Flight Vehicle: Overlapping Propellers, Swappable Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sustaining long-duration flight in compact all-electric forms with electric propulsion systems has been unfeasible due to the limitations of battery chemistries and weight, and existing technologies have not provided the necessary high performance and continuous output.
Innovation Solution
A compact personal flight vehicle with overlapping propellers and redundant power systems, allowing for efficient thrust generation and safe operation, incorporating foldable design for easy transport and removable battery units, along with active and passive cooling methods to manage heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If battery chemistries with higher energy density are used to extend flight duration, then flight time is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is divided into multiple independent battery units that can be individually removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the pilot to quickly swap depleted battery units for charged ones during flight, extending operational duration without requiring a single heavy battery pack large enough to provide all-day energy storage.
2Force
If multiple propellers are used to generate sufficient thrust for hovering, then thrust capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple propeller assemblies are integrated onto a single shared frame structure, merging their support functions into one common platform. This allows the system to generate sufficient thrust through multiple propellers while reducing overall complexity by sharing structural components, control systems, and power distribution across all propeller units.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves multiple functions: it supports multiple propeller assemblies, provides mounting points for battery units, and acts as the pilot platform. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the thrust-generating capability of multiple propellers.
3Reliability
If redundant power systems are implemented to ensure safe operation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into multiple independent battery units, each capable of independently powering the propeller system. This segmentation creates natural redundancy, as the failure or depletion of one battery unit does not compromise the entire system, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex redundant circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
Depleted battery units are quickly discarded (removed from the vehicle) and replaced with charged units. This approach maintains reliability by ensuring fresh power sources are always available, while avoiding the complexity of battery management systems that would be required to balance and manage multiple batteries operating in parallel.
4Ease of operation
If compact design is implemented for easy transport, then ease of operation is improved, but volume for power and thrust generation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle employs foldable arms that can be collapsed for compact transport and deployed for flight operation. This dynamic structure allows the vehicle to transition between a compact form factor for easy storage and transport, and a fully extended configuration that provides sufficient volume to accommodate multiple propellers, batteries, and other flight-critical components.
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
Enables prolonged flight times and safe operation by optimizing thrust efficiency and reducing heat, while ensuring redundancy and compactness for easy storage and transport.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of propellers coupled to the frame and configured to produce sufficient thrust to allow the apparatus to hover
Implementation Method 2
The pilot modulating a body position to reduce and/or displace airflow to at least a first propeller from the plurality of propellers can cause the frame to tilt and translate towards the first propeller
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a frame and a plurality of propellers coupled to the frame and configured to produce sufficient thrust to allow the apparatus to hover. Each propeller from the plurality of propellers having a horizontally oriented blade and a first propellor from the plurality of propellors overlapping a second propellor from the plurality of propellers in a vertical plane.