Vertiport Dynamic Partition and Robotic Handling for VTOL Operations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Urban areas face challenges in developing high traffic-rate aerial transportation systems due to limited space for Vertiports, necessitating a compact and efficient solution for VTOL aircraft operations that can handle multiple vehicles and energy provisioning without occupying valuable real estate.
Innovation Solution
A transportation system featuring a Vertiport with a dynamic partition arrangement, robotic handling systems, and energy provisioning capabilities that allow for swift swapping of energy stores, enabling efficient operation and maintenance of VTOL air vehicles, including automatic docking, energy exchange, and passenger handling within a compact footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a Vertiport is designed to handle high traffic rates with multiple VTOL aircraft operations, then productivity increases, but the area required for the Vertiport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Vertiport is divided into functional zones including a flight deck, capsule area, parking area, and energy provisioning area. The dynamic partition arrangement segments the space between the flight deck and passenger terminal, allowing flexible configuration that maximizes throughput while minimizing overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space utilization through vertical stacking of functions and robotic systems that operate in multiple dimensions. The handling robots can lift and move aircraft vertically, and the dynamic partitions create multi-level access points, effectively using vertical space to increase capacity without expanding horizontal footprint.
2Ease of operation
If robotic handling systems are implemented for automatic docking and aircraft conveyance, then ease of operation increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handling robots are designed as multi-functional units that can perform multiple operations including automatic docking with VTOL aircraft, lifting and conveying aircraft between different areas, and facilitating energy provisioning. This universal design reduces the number of specialized systems needed, thereby managing complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic handling systems are equipped with autonomous navigation and docking capabilities that allow them to automatically locate, approach, and dock with VTOL aircraft without human intervention. The systems self-manage the complex coordination required for safe and efficient aircraft handling, reducing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If energy provisioning is performed rapidly through swappable energy stores, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Energy stores are pre-charged and prepared in advance in the energy provisioning area before being transferred to VTOL aircraft. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid exchange during aircraft operations, increasing productivity while the complexity is managed through automated storage and retrieval systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary energy provisioning system that acts as a buffer between energy storage and aircraft power needs. This intermediary system includes automated energy store handling robots and provisioning infrastructure that simplifies the overall energy management process while enabling rapid refueling operations.
4Area of stationary object
If a compact Vertiport design is implemented to minimize space requirements, then area efficiency improves, but ease of manufacture worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The Vertiport incorporates dynamic partition arrangements that can change configuration based on operational needs. These movable partitions allow the same physical space to serve multiple functions at different times, achieving compactness while simplifying the overall structure compared to fixed, multi-purpose buildings that would require complex simultaneous configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation system and method serve passenger-conveying VTOL air vehicles (AVs) at a vertiport. The vertiport has a flight deck including at least one landing pad, a passenger terminal, and a dynamic partition arrangement that defines a capsule for receiving one of the AVs at a time. The dynamic partition arrangement assumes a first open state in which it is open to the flight deck and closed to the passenger terminal and a second open state in which it is closed to the flight deck and open to the passenger terminal. A robotic system includes a handling robot that automatically approaches and docks with the AV after landing, and conveys the AV between the landing pad and the capsule via an opening provided by the first open state of the dynamic partition.