eVTOL Flight Path Switching for Urban Vertiport Takeoff and Landing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guidance systems for urban air mobility vehicles are insufficient for performing both fixed-wing cruising and vertical takeoffs and landings in urban airspaces, due to the complexity of navigating around tall buildings and structures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that facilitate takeoff and landing by obtaining aircraft and vertiport information, determining an aircraft path with both vertical and cruise path portions, and dynamically switching between these phases at a calculated switchover point, while transmitting control information to the aircraft propulsion systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional guidance computation and display systems are used for lateral and vertical deviations, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the system is insufficient for vehicles to perform both fixed-wing cruising and vertical takeoffs and landings in urban airspaces
Solution Approach 1:
The flight path is segmented into distinct vertical and cruise path portions, with a dynamically determined switchover point. The guidance system provides different control information for each segment (vertical control portion vs. cruise control portion), allowing the propulsion system to operate under appropriate control for each phase. This segmentation enables the system to handle both vertical takeoff/landing and fixed-wing cruising operations effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The switchover point between vertical and cruise path portions is determined dynamically based on current aircraft position, altitude, and environmental conditions rather than being fixed. The control information is continuously updated as the aircraft progresses along the path, enabling adaptive guidance that responds to changing flight conditions and urban airspace constraints.
2Reliability
If a dynamic switchover point is determined based on aircraft path and environmental information, then the transition between vertical and cruise phases is optimized, but the computation and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously obtains current aircraft information (position, altitude) and current environmental information (traffic, weather) and uses this feedback to dynamically determine the switchover point. This closed-loop approach ensures that the transition between vertical and cruise phases is based on real-time conditions, improving safety while managing computational requirements through efficient use of available data.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance system determines the aircraft path and switchover point in advance before the actual transition occurs. By computing the optimal switchover point beforehand based on current conditions, the system prepares the control information needed for the transition, reducing the computational burden during the critical transition moment itself while maintaining high safety standards.
3Ease of operation
If control information is transmitted to propulsion systems for automated operation, then operator intervention is reduced, but the automation system must handle complex transition logic
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance system provides a unified control information structure that works for both vertical and cruise flight phases. By determining a single aircraft path with an integrated switchover point, the system uses one multi-functional guidance mechanism to handle both vertical takeoff/landing and fixed-wing cruising operations, reducing the need for separate control systems while maintaining comprehensive automation capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for facilitating takeoff and landing of an aircraft may include obtaining aircraft information and retrieving vertiport information for a desired landing or takeoff location area. The method may further include determining an aircraft path including a vertical path portion and a cruise path portion; determining a dynamic switchover point between the vertical path portion and the cruise path portion along the aircraft path; and transmitting control information including a vertical control portion and a cruise control portion to aircraft propulsion systems. Wherein the aircraft propulsion systems will operate under one of the vertical control portion or the cruise control portion until the aircraft reaches the dynamic switchover point, and wherein the aircraft propulsion systems will operate under the other of the vertical control portion or the cruise control portion after the aircraft reaches the dynamic switchover point.