Multi-Motor Drive Unit for Redundant Aircraft Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft electric motor propulsion systems rely on a single motor for thrust, which can lead to complete thrust loss if the motor fails, and increasing horsepower requires heavier, larger motors, compromising weight and safety.
Innovation Solution
A drive system utilizing multiple smaller, lighter motors that operate together, providing redundancy and allowing continued thrust in case of failure, with configurations for shared electronic speed control and mechanisms to ensure continuous operation of the driveshaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single larger electric motor is used to increase horsepower, then the power output increases, but the system weight increases and safety redundancy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the propulsion system into multiple independent motor units (e.g., four 94 hp motors instead of one 375 hp motor) that collectively provide the required horsepower. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high power output while using lighter individual motors, and provides redundancy since failure of one motor does not eliminate all thrust capability.
2Power
If a single larger electric motor is used to increase horsepower, then the power output increases, but the system complexity and safety redundancy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the propulsion system into multiple independent motor units, the patent creates inherent redundancy. Each motor unit can fail independently without causing complete system failure, thereby improving reliability and safety while maintaining the required horsepower output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing the system with redundant motor units that can compensate for potential failures. The independent drive shafts and propellers ensure that if one motor fails, the others can continue to provide thrust, cushioning against the harmful effect of motor failure.
3Reliability
If multiple smaller motors are used instead of one large motor, then safety redundancy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent motor units into a unified propulsion system that shares common components such as the battery pack, electronic speed controllers, and overall structural mounting. This merging approach reduces the total component count and system complexity compared to having completely separate systems, while still maintaining the redundancy benefits of multiple motors.
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
The system maintains thrust and safety by enabling continued flight or safe landing in case of motor failure and allows for increased horsepower by adding additional motors, reducing weight and enhancing redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
at least two electric motors (104) that share one electronic speed controller (ESC) to cause the motors to operate equally together
Implementation Method 2
the motors of the drive unit use drive wheels in the form of friction wheels to allow the output shafts of the electric motors to drive one single driveshaft
Implementation Method 3
In one configuration, the motors of the drive unit use drive wheels in the form of gear wheels to allow the output shafts of the electric motors to drive one single driveshaft
Data Source
AI summary
Drive systems use multiple motors that work together to reduce the propulsion system weight while not sacrificing horsepower while also providing redundancies for safety. The drive systems can be used to power an aircraft. An advantage in the use of multiple smaller, lighter motors in a drive system is that the propulsion system has redundant safety. Should one motor in the propulsion system fail during operation, the other motor or motors will continue to produce thrust to enable the aircraft to continue flight or land safely, as opposed to a forced, no power landing due to a complete motor loss when using one motor.