VTOL Aircraft Powerplane Assembly for Stable Cabin Attitude
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically-powered VTOL aircraft designs face challenges in combining performance, safety, and a stable passenger experience in a cost-effective, maneuverable package suitable for use in congested environments, with issues such as limited range, maneuverability, weight, complexity, and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A vertically elongated fuselage with a pivotally coupled powerplane assembly that allows independent pitch and roll movements, reducing tilting and maintaining a constant cabin attitude, combined with a ballistic recovery system and streamlined design for enhanced safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multirotor solutions are used, then simplicity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but range is limited and horizontal thrust generation through airframe tilting causes passenger discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is divided into separate functional modules: a multirotor lift system for vertical takeoff and landing, and a separate forward propulsion system with wings for cruise flight. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized independently, maintaining the simplicity of multirotor design while adding cruise capability through the separate propulsion module.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft transitions dynamically between different flight modes: vertical hover using only the multirotor system, forward cruise using the wing and propulsion system, and intermediate transition phases. This dynamic operation allows the aircraft to achieve extended range through efficient cruise flight while maintaining the maneuverability and simplicity of multirotor control during vertical operations.
2Duration of action of moving object
If lift+cruise solutions with wings and separate forward propulsion system are added, then range and payload are increased, but maneuverability is lost and weight, cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft design integrates multiple flight capabilities into a single platform that can perform both vertical takeoff and landing like a multirotor, and efficient forward cruise like a fixed-wing aircraft. The unified control system manages both lift generators and forward propulsion, allowing the aircraft to switch between flight modes without requiring separate aircraft for different operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft dynamically transitions between flight modes by coordinating the multirotor lift system and the forward propulsion system. During vertical operations, only the rotors are active; during cruise, the wings and propulsion system take over; during transitions, both systems work together. This dynamic operation reduces the need for complex mechanical reconfiguration mechanisms.
3Duration of action of moving object
If tilt rotor solutions with tilting rotors or wing/rotor assemblies are used, then range and payload are increased, but complexity, cost and reliability concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex tilting mechanisms that combine rotors and wings into single assemblies, the invention segments the lift generation function (multirotor system) from the forward propulsion function (separate propulsion system with wings). This separation eliminates the mechanical complexity and reliability concerns associated with tilting mechanisms while achieving the same operational benefits of extended range and payload capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically-powered VTOL aircraft has a fuselage with a cabin flexibly connected to a powerplane assembly that includes a plurality of electrically-powered rotors and booms. The powerplane assembly can pitch and roll relative to and independently of the cabin, thereby generating efficient fore, aft and lateral thrust while the cabin attitude remains unchanged. This provides a stable passenger experience and enhanced performance and controllability with reduced cost and complexity. In some embodiments, the fuselage is vertically elongated and the powerplane assembly mounts above the fuselage such that a person may walk beneath the rotors completely erect. A VTOL docking station is also disclosed that is configured to allow the aircraft to land without the use of landing gear. The docking station also includes electrical components configured to automatically provide charging to the aircraft when the aircraft is docked with the docking station.