VTOL Flying Wing Aircraft Wall-Walking and Horizontal Payload Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VTOL aircraft are unable to load/unload payloads horizontally while hovering and cannot align themselves to exact window openings in high-rise buildings, making rescue missions in such structures challenging and often impossible.
Innovation Solution
The development of a VTOL-Flying-Wing-Aircraft (VTOL/FWA) with transverse-radial propellers and advanced maneuvering capabilities, allowing horizontal loading/unloading and the ability to 'walk' on building walls to align with window openings, enabling rescue operations in high-rise buildings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional VTOL aircraft are used, then vertical takeoff and landing capability is achieved, but horizontal payload loading/unloading while hovering is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft employs dynamic control of thrust vectors through tiltable propeller assemblies, allowing the craft to hover stably while presenting an open loading bay horizontally for payload transfer. The thrust angle can be dynamically adjusted to maintain hover position despite payload operations
Solution Approach 2:
The VTOL aircraft is designed with multi-functional capability to perform both vertical takeoff/landing and horizontal payload operations. The loading bay can operate in multiple modes: vertical access for conventional loading and horizontal access for window-based rescue operations, making the aircraft adaptable to various mission requirements
2Measurement precision
If conventional VTOL aircraft are used, then basic flight capability is achieved, but ability to walk on building walls to align with window openings is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft uses dynamic thrust vectoring control to enable wall-walking capability. By tilting thrust vectors at precise angles and using differential thrust on opposite sides of the aircraft, it can climb vertical surfaces and position itself with high precision relative to window openings
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft incorporates sensors and control systems that provide real-time feedback on position and orientation relative to the building structure. This feedback enables precise alignment with window openings through continuous adjustment of thrust vectors and aircraft attitude
3Use of energy by moving object
If variable pitch propellers are used for takeoff and cruise, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but ability to generate pure lift or pure thrust in each cycle is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion system is segmented into multiple independent propeller assemblies distributed around the aircraft. Each assembly can independently control its pitch and thrust angle, allowing the system to generate pure lift, pure thrust, or any combination thereof by coordinating the individual propellers
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller assemblies feature dynamic pitch control that can be adjusted independently for each propeller during rotation. This allows the system to optimize efficiency for different flight phases while simultaneously maintaining the ability to generate purely vertical or purely horizontal thrust vectors as mission requirements dictate
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
Enables safe and efficient rescue of individuals from high-rise buildings by allowing horizontal entry and exit through windows, overcoming the limitations of existing VTOL aircraft in terms of payload handling and building alignment.
Implementation Method 1
Lift developed on a stationary or moving FW proportional to velocities difference across the wing
Implementation Method 2
Lift developed on a stationary or moving FW proportional to velocities difference across the wing and proportional to the wing area
Implementation Method 3
Balancing/unbalancing force and moment vectors on VTOL-Flying-Wing Aircraft
Implementation Method 4
VTOL/FWA walking on vertical surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical take-off and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft has at least two flying wings (“FW”) with each FW equipped with multiple transverse-radial propellers or a propulsion system for producing a lift force and thrust force on the stationary or non-stationary FW. This VTOL/FWA is capable of exchanging payloads horizontally, as well as vertically, with a stationary or a moving object. In particular, the VTOL/FWA can “walk” on a building wall to adjust and anchor its position in order to rescue people from a high-rise-building window horizontally.