VTOL Aircraft Dynamic Counterbalance for Payload Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VTOL aircraft lack the ability to practically load and unload modular cargo in confined spaces while maintaining long-range capabilities, and their design often results in an unstable center of gravity when operated without a payload, leading to potential overturning moments during vertical takeoff and landing.
Innovation Solution
A VTOL aircraft with a tandem wing design and a dynamic load distribution system that includes a detachable payload with a center of mass offset from the vehicle's center of gravity, counterbalanced by a selectively-positionable countermass, allowing the aircraft to maintain stability and balance during both vertical takeoff and landing, and horizontal flight by relocating the center of gravity under the center of thrust using a motor-driven carriage and load sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the payload is positioned at the front of the vehicle for improved logistics and reduced ground clearance, then cargo loading efficiency is improved, but the center of gravity shifts away from the center of thrust creating an overturning moment during VTOL flight
Solution Approach 1:
A counterbalance mass is positioned at the rear of the vehicle to offset the forward position of the payload and operator. This counterweight creates a balancing moment that counteracts the overturning moment generated by the forward CG shift, allowing the vehicle to maintain stability during vertical takeoff and landing while keeping the payload accessible at the front.
Solution Approach 2:
The counterbalance mass is made movable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position. This enables the system to adapt to different payload configurations and weight distributions, optimizing the center of gravity location for both VTOL stability and payload accessibility requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multicopter configurations array propulsors around a payload at the center of gravity, then VTOL thrust balance is improved, but the vehicle must land directly over the payload creating logistical problems
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle adopts an asymmetric configuration with the payload positioned at the front rather than at the center of gravity. The propulsors are positioned to generate thrust that balances both the vehicle weight and the offset payload, creating a controlled asymmetry that enables both stable VTOL flight and practical payload operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The counterbalance mass acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the forward payload position and the center of thrust. By positioning this counterweight at the rear, the system creates a moment balance that allows the payload to be located away from the center of gravity without compromising VTOL stability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If tiltrotor aircraft use integral propulsion outboard of primary aero surfaces that tilt in unison, then long range capability is improved, but the overall wingspan plus rotor diameter prevents compact configuration for confined space landing
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion system is segmented into multiple independent propulsors distributed across the vehicle structure, rather than using a single large outboard propulsion system. This segmentation allows the propulsors to be positioned closer to the center of gravity and enables a more compact overall configuration while maintaining long-range flight capability through efficient thrust distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft has a pair of fixed wings fore and aft, straddling a pair of tiltable propulsors, such as ducted fans. The aircraft includes a modular crew cabin or freight payload and a dynamic counterbalance positioning system which can shift the location of an integral aircraft segment which may contain operational components such as fuel tanks, batteries, avionics equipment etc. in order to move the aircraft center of gravity closer to the center of lift and/or vertical thrust.