Quad-Wing VTOL Aircraft Stacked Propellers and Cruise Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VTOL aircraft designs face inefficiencies in both vertical and forward flight due to separate rotors for lift and thrust, leading to increased motor weight, drag, and design complexity, as well as noise issues that make them unsuitable for residential areas.
Innovation Solution
A quad-wing VTOL aircraft that transitions between vertical flight using propellers and forward flight using wings, with inboard and wingtip booms housing batteries and propellers, and a cruise propeller for thrust, allowing for efficient and quiet operation by reducing power requirements and noise through the use of stacked propellers and noise-mitigating booms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate non-articulating rotors are used to provide vertical lift and forward thrust, then vertical flight capability is achieved, but motor weight and aircraft drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed-wing aircraft is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a conventional fixed-wing aircraft for forward flight, and simultaneously serve as a glider for vertical flight operations. The wings provide lift in both horizontal and vertical flight modes, eliminating the need for separate lift-generating rotors and their associated motors, thereby reducing overall motor weight while maintaining vertical flight capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate non-articulating rotors are used to provide vertical lift and forward thrust, then vertical flight capability is achieved, but aircraft drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wings are designed to generate lift during both forward flight and vertical flight operations. During vertical flight, the aircraft operates as a glider utilizing aerodynamic lift from the wings rather than relying on rotor-based lift systems, thereby reducing parasitic drag and energy losses associated with rotating lift generators.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the unnecessary rotor and motor components that would be required for vertical flight in traditional VTOL designs. By eliminating these components and relying on natural aerodynamic lift from the wings during vertical flight, the design reduces aircraft drag and associated energy losses.
3Weight of moving object
If distributed tilting propulsors are used to provide both vertical lift and forward thrust, then motor weight and drag are reduced, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed wings serve as universal lift-generating surfaces that function effectively in both horizontal forward flight and vertical flight modes. This eliminates the need for complex articulating mechanisms and tilting propulsor systems, maintaining simplicity in the design while achieving multi-functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional VTOL aircraft are used, then vertical flight capability is achieved, but noise levels are too high for residential areas
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft utilizes aerodynamic lift from its fixed wings during vertical flight operations, operating as a glider rather than relying on noisy rotating propellers or rotors for lift generation. This natural aerodynamic approach significantly reduces noise levels while maintaining vertical flight capability, making the aircraft suitable for operations in residential areas.
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 aircraft achieves efficient vertical and forward flight with reduced power consumption and noise, enabling effective transition between modes and balancing noise levels in residential areas.
Implementation Method 1
A propeller is attached to each inboard boom and each wing tip boom... The propellers operate during vertical flight (e.g., takeoff and landing)
Implementation Method 2
A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft uses propellers during vertical flight and wings during forward flight to generate lift
Implementation Method 3
The aircraft can also include a cruise propeller attached to the tail region of the fuselage, where the cruise propeller is configured to rotate in a plane approximately perpendicular to the fuselage to generate thrust during forward flight
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, configured to transport passengers and/or cargo, uses propellers during vertical flight and wings during forward flight to generate lift. The VTOL aircraft includes a front wing and a rear wing connected by inboard booms. The rear wing may include a wingtip boom attached to each free end of the wing. A propeller may be attached to each inboard boom and each wingtip boom. The propellers attached to the inboard booms may be stacked propellers including at least two co-rotating propellers. The aircraft can also include a cruise propeller attached to the tail region of the fuselage, where the cruise propeller is configured to rotate in a plane approximately perpendicular to the fuselage to generate thrust during forward flight.