eVTOL Flight Command Control for GPS-Distorted Air Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircrafts face challenges in accurately determining air position due to inadequate navigational systems like GPS, which are distorted by propellers and rotors, and are further complicated by buildings and structures in the airspace.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a flight controller that receives topographical and sensor data, identifies air position through a similarity function, and determines commands to adjust flight components based on this position, incorporating reconfigurable hardware platforms and machine-learning algorithms to enhance navigation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for navigation, then position information is obtained, but accuracy deteriorates due to distortion by propellers and rotors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of ground-based transmitters and sensors that mediate the positioning function. Instead of relying on satellite signals that are distorted by propellers, the system uses local transmitters on the ground and sensors on the aircraft to establish a dedicated communication channel for position determination, isolating the aircraft from harmful electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic-based GPS system with a hybrid system incorporating optical sensors, LIDAR, and ground-based transmitters. This substitution eliminates reliance on satellite signals that are vulnerable to distortion by aircraft components, using instead a multi-sensor approach that is insensitive to propeller-induced electromagnetic interference
2Reliability
If traditional navigational systems are used, then position data is obtained, but reliability deteriorates in urban environments with buildings and structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple navigation systems and sensor types into a unified positioning architecture. By combining ground-based transmitters, optical sensors, LIDAR, and traditional GPS into a single integrated system, the patent achieves reliable position determination in urban environments where individual systems would fail due to signal blockage from buildings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal positioning system that performs multiple functions: it can operate in open skies using GPS, in urban canyons using ground-based transmitters and optical sensors, and in various weather conditions. The system adapts its methodology based on environmental conditions, making it universally reliable across different operational scenarios
3Measurement precision
If barometers are used for altitude determination, then altitude data is obtained, but accuracy deteriorates due to disturbance by propellers and rotors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ground-based transmitters and external sensors as intermediaries to measure altitude without being affected by propeller-induced air disturbances. The ground-based LIDAR and transmitters measure altitude from outside the aircraft's turbulent wake, providing accurate altitude data independent of rotor interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring altitude using internal pressure sensors affected by propeller turbulence to using external ground-based systems. By moving the measurement point from inside the aircraft's disturbed air space to the ground level, the system eliminates the harmful effect of propeller-induced air disturbance on altitude measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A system for initiating a command of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft includes a flight controller configured to receive a topographical datum, receive a sensor datum from a sensor, identify an air position as a function of the sensor datum and the topographical datum, determine a command, including an actuator command, as a function of the identified air position and the determining of the command includes identifying at least one flight component of the eVTOL aircraft to be adjusted to perform the determined command, and initiate the command to adjust the identified flight component.