Multi-Level VTOL Landing Pad Allocation for Urban Space Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of efficiently landing and storing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft in densely populated urban areas, where existing infrastructure is limited and poses challenges such as traffic congestion, noise pollution, and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that determines optimal landing and storage locations for VTOL aircraft within a multi-level aircraft landing facility, utilizing aircraft, passenger, and environmental data to dynamically designate landing pads and storage areas, thereby optimizing efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VTOL aircraft use existing infrastructure such as rooftops for landing and storage, then the aircraft can operate in urban environments, but the capacity for landing and storing multiple aircraft is limited due to small available space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional rooftop surfaces to three-dimensional vertical space by implementing multi-level platforms stacked vertically. This allows the system to utilize the vertical dimension for additional landing and storage capacity while maintaining a compact urban footprint, directly resolving the contradiction between urban adaptability and storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested storage where platforms are stacked vertically with lower platforms positioned within or adjacent to upper platforms. This nesting arrangement maximizes the use of vertical space, allowing multiple landing and storage levels to coexist in a compact configuration that maintains urban adaptability while significantly increasing overall capacity.
2Reliability
If dynamic landing pad designation is implemented based on multiple data factors, then operational efficiency and safety are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based control system that continuously monitors aircraft data, passenger data, and environmental data, then uses this information to dynamically adjust landing pad designations. This feedback loop enables the system to optimize safety and efficiency in real-time while managing complexity through automated decision-making algorithms that process multiple data streams systematically.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system for landing and storing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft can be configured to receive aircraft data, passenger data, or environment data associated with a VTOL aircraft and determine a landing pad location within a landing facility based on the aircraft data, passenger data, and/or environment data. The landing facility can include a lower level and an upper level. The lower level can include a lower landing area and a lower storage area. The upper level can include an upper landing area. At least a portion of the upper level can be arranged over the lower storage area. The landing pad location can include a location within the lower landing area or the upper landing area of the landing facility. The computing system can communicate the landing pad location to an operator or a navigation system of the VTOL aircraft.