Quadcopter Aircraft With Embedded Vertical Thrusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multirotor VTOL aircraft face energy efficiency limitations in maintaining altitude, restricting their ability to carry passengers due to high energy consumption, and existing solutions like tilt-rotor aircraft are mechanically complex and challenging to control.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates four electrically-powered ducted rotors embedded within airfoils for lift, transitioning to horizontal flight using propellers, reducing the load on vertical thrusters and enabling efficient energy use, with a four-wing configuration that resists stalling and simplifies control through electric propulsion and flaperons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all lift is provided by rotor motion through air, then VTOL capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft dynamically transitions between two flight modes: VTOL mode where ducted rotors provide all lift, and horizontal flight mode where airfoils provide primary lift and ducted rotors provide supplemental lift. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize energy consumption based on flight phase, reducing overall energy requirements while maintaining VTOL capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the ducted rotors throughout flight. During VTOL, they operate at high power to provide 100% of lift. During horizontal flight, they reduce power output to provide only supplemental lift (20-40%), thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tilt-rotor thrusters are used to transition from lifting to horizontal acceleration, then VTOL to horizontal flight capability is achieved, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the tilt mechanism from the propulsion system. Instead of tilting the entire rotor assembly, the ducted rotors remain fixed in vertical orientation while the aircraft body tilts forward during horizontal flight. This separates the lift-generation function from the orientation function, reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses differential thrust control of the four ducted rotors to achieve attitude changes and flight mode transitions without mechanical tilting. By varying the power output of individual rotors, the aircraft can pitch, roll, and yaw dynamically, eliminating the need for complex tilt mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tilt-rotor thrusters are used for flight mode transition, then VTOL to horizontal flight capability is achieved, but control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft employs a flight control system that continuously monitors flight parameters and automatically adjusts ducted rotor power output to maintain stable flight during transitions. This feedback control eliminates the need for complex manual coordination of multiple control inputs, greatly simplifying operation during VTOL-to-horizontal flight transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The four ducted rotors serve multiple functions: they provide vertical lift during VTOL, provide forward thrust during horizontal flight, and serve as primary flight control surfaces for pitch, roll, and yaw. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate control systems needed, simplifying overall control.
4Weight of moving object
If powerful engines and substantial fuel supply are used, then lifting capacity for human passengers is achieved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conventional piston engine and fuel system with electric motors and battery power. This substitution eliminates complex fuel storage, fuel delivery, and combustion systems, reducing mechanical complexity while providing sufficient power for human passenger transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power delivery parameters of the ducted rotors based on flight phase. During VTOL, all four rotors operate at high power to provide sufficient lift for human passengers. During horizontal flight, the aircraft uses airfoil lift, allowing the rotors to operate at reduced power, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining lifting capacity.
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 approach allows for extended flight duration and increased carrying capacity while reducing energy consumption and mechanical complexity, enabling smooth transitions between vertical and horizontal flight modes with enhanced control and safety features.
Implementation Method 1
as the velocity increases the airfoils generate an increasing amount of lift
Implementation Method 2
The present invention provides an aircraft that is lifted by four electrically-powered ducted rotors
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft having two or more pairs of airfoils, each airfoil having an embedded vertical thruster. The vertical thrusters provide sufficient lift to permit the aircraft to perform vertical takeoffs and landings. The aircraft has two or more horizontal thrusters which accelerate the aircraft to a speed at which the airfoils provide most or all of the lift required to maintain altitude. In horizontal flight, the vertical thrusters may operate at a reduced power level, sufficient to control the orientation of the aircraft.