VTOL Fan Tilting Linkage for Redundant Thrust With Fewer Actuators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VTOL aircraft designs face challenges in achieving both weight reduction and safety by integrating redundant power systems that provide vertical and horizontal thrust while minimizing the risk of single fault failures.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft equipped with a plurality of tilting fans that can switch between vertical and horizontal positions, utilizing a combination of tilting mechanisms and actuators, including rotary electric motors, hydraulic pistons, and pneumatic pistons, to provide thrust in multiple directions, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate movement mechanisms are used for vertical and horizontal thrust, then thrust capability is improved, but aircraft weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling fans to perform both vertical lift and horizontal propulsion functions. The fans can operate in different configurations: vertically for lift during takeoff and landing, and horizontally for forward propulsion during cruise, eliminating the need for separate movement mechanisms for each thrust direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through tilting mechanisms that allow the fans to change their orientation dynamically. The fans can tilt between vertical and horizontal positions, enabling the aircraft to transition between different flight modes (hover, transition, cruise) and providing adaptability for multiple thrust directions with a single component system.
2Weight of moving object
If the number of components is reduced for weight savings, then weight decreases, but system reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single fan system with tilting capability, reducing the total number of components compared to having separate vertical and horizontal propulsion systems. This consolidation achieves weight savings while maintaining reliability through the redundant capability of the same fans to provide both lift and thrust.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the fan system universal capable of both vertical and horizontal operation, the patent ensures that the same components can provide redundant thrust capabilities in different directions, maintaining system reliability even with fewer total components.
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 design allows for reduced weight, cost, and improved safety by minimizing the number of components, providing redundant thrust capabilities and reducing the risk of single fault failures, thereby enhancing flight performance and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a tilting mechanism (306) operably connecting the first tilting fan (302) and the second tilting fan (304)
Implementation Method 2
an actuator (312) operably coupled to the tilting mechanism (306)
Implementation Method 3
a first tilting fan (302) and a second tilting fan (304), each fan having a plurality of blades
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Disclosed is an electric aircraft, which includes a fuselage and at least one wing coupled to the fuselage. The electric aircraft includes a plurality of tilting fans coupled to the at least one wing, the plurality of tilting fans being configured to move between a vertical lift position and a forward flight position. The electric aircraft includes a plurality of tilting mechanisms coupled with at least one tilting fan. The electric aircraft includes a first actuator coupled to a first subset of the plurality of tilting mechanisms. The first subset of tilting mechanisms are identified among the plurality of tilting mechanisms according to a coupling scheme. The first actuator tilts a first group of tilting fans coupled to the first subset of the plurality of tilting mechanisms simultaneously.