Hovering eVTOL Wireless Charging With Removable Receiver Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles face limited range due to battery size constraints, necessitating frequent recharging, which is challenging because suitable landing spaces for charging are often unavailable, especially at tall buildings.
Innovation Solution
A system that charges eVTOL batteries while the vehicle is hovering in the air using removable receiver pads and a transmitter pad generating an electromagnetic field, determining optimal charging distance based on field strength and pad size, and dynamically inserting/removing pads as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a larger battery pack is used to increase the range of eVTOL vehicles, then the range is improved, but the weight and size of the vehicle increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple smaller battery packs that can be independently charged while hovering. This allows the vehicle to carry less total battery capacity at any given time, reducing weight, while maintaining extended operational range through sequential recharging at multiple distributed charging stations along the flight path.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple distributed charging stations act as intermediaries between the vehicle's battery system and the power grid. These charging stations enable the vehicle to replenish energy during flight without carrying excess battery capacity, effectively extending range without increasing vehicle weight.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a larger battery pack is used to increase the range of eVTOL vehicles, then the range is improved, but the footprint of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple smaller battery packs that can be independently charged while hovering. This allows the vehicle to carry less total battery capacity at any given time, reducing weight, while maintaining extended operational range through sequential recharging at multiple distributed charging stations along the flight path.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the eVTOL vehicle makes frequent stops to recharge its battery, then the range limitation is addressed, but the availability of landing spaces becomes a constraint
Solution Approach 1:
The charging infrastructure is transitioned from ground-based landing pads to aerial charging stations positioned in three-dimensional space. This allows the vehicle to charge while hovering at various altitudes and positions, eliminating the need for ground landing spaces and enabling charging over obstacles or in constrained urban environments.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple distributed charging stations act as intermediaries between the vehicle's battery system and the power grid. These charging stations enable the vehicle to replenish energy during flight without carrying excess battery capacity, effectively extending range without increasing vehicle weight.
4Adaptability or versatility
If charging stations are placed on tall buildings to improve accessibility, then charging availability is improved, but the lack of suitable landing space at the building top becomes a problem
Solution Approach 1:
The charging infrastructure is transitioned from ground-based landing pads to aerial charging stations positioned in three-dimensional space. This allows the vehicle to charge while hovering at various altitudes and positions, eliminating the need for ground landing spaces and enabling charging over obstacles or in constrained urban environments.
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 eVTOL vehicles to travel without extra weight from charging infrastructure, reducing the need for frequent landings and optimizing air travel quality by allowing charging in constrained spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitter pad generates an electromagnetic field that is used to charge the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to charging a battery of an electric vehicle while the electric vehicle is hovering. In one embodiment, a method includes, responsive to determining that an electric vehicle does not include a receiver pad, inserting the receiver pad into the electric vehicle that is hovering in the air at a charging station. The method includes determining a space above a transmitter pad for the electric vehicle to hover based, at least in part, on a location and a size of the transmitter pad. The method includes charging a battery to a threshold value through the receiver pad.