Flying Vehicle Drive Unit With Adjustable Nozzles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flying vehicle drive systems require additional rotary elements or separate systems for vertical and horizontal flight, limiting flexibility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A drive unit with at least one air channel fitted with outlet-inlet nozzles and two fans connected to corresponding engines, allowing independent regulation of air jet direction and force, enabling vertical take-off and landing without rotary drive elements or dual systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional rotary drive elements or dual drive systems are used for vertical and horizontal flight, then flight control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflight control flexibilityVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single drive system to perform both vertical and horizontal flight operations. The drive unit with adjustable nozzle directions allows the same propulsion system to generate thrust in multiple directions, eliminating the need for separate rotary drive elements or dual drive systems while maintaining full flight control flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics through adjustable nozzle directions that can be changed during operation. The nozzles are positioned at different angles (including 45°, 90°, and 135° relative to the longitudinal axis) and can be repositioned to direct thrust vectors dynamically, allowing the vehicle to transition between vertical and horizontal flight modes using the same drive system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a single drive system is used for both vertical and horizontal flight, then device complexity is reduced, but flight control flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive system complexityVSAvoidflight control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the propulsion system into multiple independent drive units, each with its own nozzle assembly. This allows individual nozzles to be positioned and controlled independently at different angles, enabling the single drive system to achieve complex flight maneuvers through coordinated operation of segmented propulsion elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds dimensional capability by positioning nozzles at multiple angular orientations (45°, 90°, 135°) relative to the longitudinal axis. This multi-dimensional nozzle arrangement allows the single drive system to generate thrust vectors in multiple directions, effectively adding rotational and lateral control dimensions without requiring separate rotary drive systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 flexible control of flight directions, including ascent, descent, rotation, and horizontal movement, with stable directionality and additional rotary capabilities through independent fan regulation.

Implementation Method 1

the fan (2) with the engine (3) fixed on one end of the air channel (1), and that the other end of the air channel (1) is closed with a cover (6) having an outlet chute (7) for the draft force produced by the fan (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDraft force generation: Jet

Implementation Method 2

One of the outlet-inlet nozzles openings (5) is placed in a wall of the central part of the air channel (1), between fixed fans of the drive unit, and constitutes a vertical draft force outlet-inlet nozzle opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP3707073B1Flying vehicle's drive unit
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 PERAVIA SP ZOO
  • EP3707073B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3707073B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~6
  • EP3707073B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The solution according to the present invention is a drive unit for air vehicle, which allows building the vertical take-off and landing vehicles, intended for application, for instance, in the production of flying taxis, as well as in the model-making branch and in the toy industry. The drive unit is composed of the air channel /l/, in the form of a straight segment of a tube with circular section, which has fans /2 and 2'/ with engines /3 and 3'/ fixed on its both ends. The opening of the vertical draft outlet-inlet nozzle /5/ is located between fixed fans /2 and 2'/ of the drive.