VTOL Aircraft Ducted Fan Airflow Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft face challenges in achieving efficient and compact designs with limited moving parts, while maintaining the capability for both vertical take-off and high-speed horizontal flight.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a circular planform airframe with ducted electric fans arranged in circular patterns around a central axis, featuring a plenum chamber and annular inlet for airflow management, and internal flow control mechanisms to divert airflow between vertical and horizontal thrust vectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional VTOL aircraft designs are used, then vertical take-off capability is achieved, but the number of moving parts increases and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vertical and horizontal propulsion systems into a unified ducted fan assembly. The same ducted fan provides both vertical lift during take-off and horizontal thrust during flight by redirecting airflow through lateral channels, eliminating the need for separate rotor and propeller systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The ducted fan is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both vertical lift generation and horizontal propulsion. By incorporating adjustable airflow redirection mechanisms, the single fan system adapts to different flight phases, reducing the overall number of moving parts while maintaining full VTOL capability.
2Ease of operation
If conventional VTOL aircraft designs are used, then vertical take-off capability is achieved, but structural strength and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a circular planform airframe with curved surfaces that provide inherent structural strength. The circular cross-section and blended wing body design distribute stress evenly, enhancing structural integrity while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency for both vertical and horizontal flight modes.
3Volume of moving object
If compact VTOL design is implemented, then aircraft size is reduced, but airflow management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the lateral airflow channels within the vertical duct structure. The lateral channels are integrated into the walls of the vertical duct, allowing compact packaging of the airflow management system without increasing overall aircraft volume. This nested configuration enables efficient transition between vertical and horizontal flight modes in a compact design.
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 enables efficient vertical take-off, hover, transition to horizontal flight, high-speed cruise, and vertical landing, while minimizing the number of moving parts and maintaining high structural strength and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of axially oriented fans, each axially oriented fan in a channel extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the airframe
Implementation Method 2
a first laterally-oriented fan in the upper level duct of the first intake channel... a third laterally-oriented fan in the first lateral channel
Implementation Method 3
a plenum chamber in fluid communication with the upper level ducts of the first intake channel and the second intake channel; and an annular inlet in the upper surface in fluid communication with the plenum chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, specifically an electric or hybrid electric aircraft having a plurality of ducted fans. The aircraft includes a plurality of axially oriented fans, laterally oriented fans, forward air intakes, side exit ports, rear exhaust ports, plenum air chamber and annular inlet. The aircraft achieves flight by capturing air in the intakes and diverting the air through the axially oriented fans or the laterally oriented fans through the channels selectively.