VTOL Box Wing Aircraft with Pivot Motor Pods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VTOL aircraft face challenges such as high noise levels, weight and cost due to lack of redundancy in rotor designs, limited flight speeds and ranges, and inability to operate on non-hardstand surfaces due to energy-intensive motor arrangements and complex actuation systems, which restrict their usability and payload capacity.
Innovation Solution
A VTOL aircraft with a box wing configuration featuring pivotally mounted motor pods and moveable trailing control surfaces, utilizing mechanical and aerodynamic actuation to adjust thrust lines and reduce weight, allowing operation on various surfaces and increasing payload capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If helicopters use rotor designs without redundancy, then the structure is simpler and lighter, but the reliability decreases and large factors of safety must be applied increasing weight and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft divides the propulsion system into multiple independent motor units (first and second motors) that can operate independently. Each motor has its own rotor and drive train, eliminating the need for a single critical rotor assembly. This segmentation provides redundancy while reducing the safety factors required for individual components, thereby reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural characteristics to different parts of the aircraft. The motor units are designed with specific local redundancy (multiple motors instead of one) while other components maintain optimized structures. This localized application of redundancy principles reduces weight compared to applying safety factors uniformly across the entire aircraft.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tilt wing aircraft use actuators and bearings to control wing inclination, then the aircraft can achieve VTOL capability, but the weight increases reducing payload capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inclination control function from complex mechanical actuators and bearings and implements it through a simpler system of movable motor pods that pivot relative to the wing structure. This eliminates the need for heavy tilt-wing mechanisms while maintaining the ability to adjust thrust vector orientation for VTOL and forward flight operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor pods are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the thrust vector orientation. The pods can pivot between vertical and horizontal positions to transition between VTOL and forward flight modes, providing adaptability without requiring permanent structural modifications or heavy mechanical linkages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drones use vertical axis rotors, then the aircraft can perform VTOL, but the flight speed and range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration of the propulsion system through movable motor pods that can change their orientation. During VTOL, the pods are positioned vertically, and during forward flight, they tilt horizontally, enabling the aircraft to achieve high speeds comparable to conventional fixed-wing aircraft while maintaining VTOL capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor pods serve multiple functions: they provide vertical thrust for VTOL when oriented vertically, and they generate horizontal thrust for forward flight when tilted. This multi-functionality allows a single propulsion system to handle both VTOL and high-speed flight requirements, eliminating the need for separate systems that would increase weight.
4Device complexity
If VTOL aircraft use encased fans for take-off and landing, then the design is more compact, but the aircraft cannot operate on non-hardstand surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The motor pods are designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing the thrust vector to be oriented vertically for take-off and landing. This dynamic positioning enables the aircraft to operate from various surfaces including water, parks, fields, and gardens, not just hardstand locations, while maintaining 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
The solution enhances flight efficiency, reduces weight and complexity, and enables operation on diverse surfaces, including water, while maintaining structural integrity and aerodynamic efficiency, thus overcoming the limitations of existing VTOL designs.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second motors each have rotors having different thrust lines
Implementation Method 2
each wing has at least one moveable trailing control surface... the moveable trailing control surface being configured to pivot relative to the fixed leading edge
Implementation Method 3
The Box wing has a particular advantage in that it reduces the drag due to lift (induced drag)
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft (100) having: a wing structure having right and left side forward wings (20, 22); and right and left side rearward wings (30, 32), each of the right side wings (20, 30) being connected, and each of the left side wings (22, 32) being connected in a box wing configuration; wherein each wing (20, 22, 30, 32) has a fixed leading edge (100) and at least one moveable trailing control surface (110), further wherein each wing (20, 22, 30, 32) has at least one motor pod (195), the motor pod (195) being pivotally mounted to an underside of the fixed leading edge (100), and fixedly secured to the trailing control surface (110).