Multicopter Tilting Rotor Supports for Powered Lift and Autorotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The range and endurance of multicopter rotorcraft are limited due to aerodynamic inefficiencies and battery performance, making them impractical for cargo and passenger transportation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of tilting rotor support assemblies that allow rotors to pivot, enabling autorotation during horizontal flight, combined with powered rotation during vertical flight, to enhance lift generation and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multicopter uses high rotational speed fixed pitch rotors to provide lift and propulsion, then maneuvering capability is improved, but aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates due to high drag and blade tip losses
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor support assembly is made dynamically tiltable, allowing the rotor axis to change orientation relative to the multicopter body. During forward flight, the rotor tilts backward to enable autorotation, reducing drag and improving aerodynamic efficiency. During vertical flight or hover, the rotor returns to vertical orientation for optimal maneuvering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor serves dual functions: powered rotation for vertical flight and maneuvering, and autorotation for forward flight lift generation. The tilting mechanism enables the same rotor to adapt to different flight regimes, combining the maneuverability of multicopters with the efficiency of autorotating rotors.
2Ease of operation
If multicopter relies on onboard batteries to power motors at high RPM, then vertical take-off and landing capability is achieved, but range and endurance are limited due to low power capacity to weight ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between two operational modes: powered rotation mode for vertical flight and autorotation mode for forward flight. During forward flight, the rotor transitions to autorotation where aerodynamic forces sustain rotation without continuous power input, significantly reducing energy consumption and extending range and endurance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the typically harmful effect of rotor drag into a beneficial force. During forward flight, the rotor is tilted backward and allowed to autorotate, where the relative wind drives the rotor to generate lift instead of creating drag, thereby extending range and endurance.
3Duration of action of moving object
If gyrocopter uses unpowered rotor for autorotation during forward flight, then range is improved, but controllability in hover flight is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor support assembly is made dynamically tiltable, allowing the rotor axis to change orientation relative to the multicopter body. During forward flight, the rotor tilts backward to enable autorotation, reducing drag and improving aerodynamic efficiency. During vertical flight or hover, the rotor returns to vertical orientation for optimal maneuvering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor serves dual functions: powered rotation for vertical flight and maneuvering, and autorotation for forward flight lift generation. The tilting mechanism enables the same rotor to adapt to different flight regimes, combining the maneuverability of multicopters with the efficiency of autorotating rotors.
4Device complexity
If multicopter rotor has short span to maintain compact structure, then device complexity is reduced, but aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates due to high drag and blade tip losses
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor support assembly is made dynamically tiltable, allowing the rotor axis to change orientation relative to the multicopter body. During forward flight, the rotor tilts backward to enable autorotation, reducing drag and improving aerodynamic efficiency. During vertical flight or hover, the rotor returns to vertical orientation for optimal maneuvering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the typically harmful effect of rotor drag into a beneficial force. During forward flight, the rotor is tilted backward and allowed to autorotate, where the relative wind drives the rotor to generate lift instead of creating drag, thereby extending range and endurance.
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
This configuration increases the range and endurance of multicopters by optimizing lift efficiency and reducing power requirements, allowing for controlled landings even in emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
an unpowered rotor generates lift through the principle of autorotation: the blades of the rotor act like sails and are driven by the relative wind generated by the forward motion of the aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
A rotorcraft comprising of a fuselage, a plurality of arms on which electric motors driving propellers are mounted, one or a plurality of pivoting rotor supports on which thrust generating rotors with one or a plurality of blades attach. The rotor supports are substantially vertical when the aircraft is flying vertically, hovering, or on the ground, and tilted with respect to the aircraft when the aircraft has a forward motion component. The rotors are configured to be powered on the ground, in hover, or in vertical flight, and spin in autorotation in horizontal flight.