Reconfigurable VTOL Propulsion Layout for Compact Vertiports
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Solution Overview
Problem
The large footprint of commercially available aerial vehicles with VTOL capabilities hampers their implementation as a mass passenger transport mode in urban environments due to space limitations, and existing designs face safety hazards and inefficiencies in landing and handling on uneven surfaces and wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sub-super copter design with extendable propulsive units supported by arms connected to the bottom part of the air vehicle, allowing for automatic stowage and deployment, minimizing ground footprint by rotating propulsion units about a vertical axis, ensuring passenger access and ground safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the propulsion units are positioned in a fixed configuration for flight, then the aerial vehicle can perform powered flight and VTOL operations, but the ground footprint remains large and occupies excessive space in urban environments
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion units are made dynamically reconfigurable through a displacement mechanism that allows them to move between a flying position (for powered flight and VTOL) and a stowed position (for compact ground storage). This dynamic transformation enables the vehicle to adapt its footprint from a large flight configuration to a compact ground configuration, resolving the contradiction between flight capability and space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
In the stowed position, the propulsion units are positioned above the passenger cabin with their effective thrust tunnels overlapping the cabin volume. This nesting arrangement allows the propulsion units to occupy the same spatial envelope as the cabin during ground operations, significantly reducing the overall ground footprint while maintaining all flight capabilities.
2Area of stationary object
If the propulsion units are moved to a stowed position above the cabin, then the ground footprint is reduced, but the effective thrust tunnels intersect and overlap the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the position of propulsion units based on operational mode. During ground operations, the units are in the stowed position with overlapping thrust tunnels. Before flight, the displacement mechanism moves the units to the flying position where thrust tunnels are mutually non-intersecting, eliminating interference with the cabin and ensuring safe flight operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement mechanism performs preliminary action by repositioning the propulsion units from the stowed position to the flying position before flight operations begin. This ensures that the thrust tunnels are properly configured and non-intersecting prior to takeoff, preventing any harmful interference during critical flight phases.
3Area of stationary object
If the propulsion units are made reconfigurable with displacement mechanisms, then the ground footprint is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement mechanism serves multiple functions: it positions the propulsion units for flight operations, enables compact stowing for ground transport, and ensures proper alignment of thrust tunnels. By making this single mechanism multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving the compact ground footprint goal.
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 enables efficient and safe operation in congested areas, enhancing the transition from air travel to ground transport infrastructure, allowing critical portions of a route to be completed by air transport in a manner suitable for accommodating large numbers of travelers.
Implementation Method 1
a propulsion system comprising a plurality of propulsion units each having an effective thrust tunnel, the propulsion system being configured to propel the aerial vehicle for powered flight, the propulsion system further being configured to perform vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)
Implementation Method 2
deployment of the propulsion units between the flying position and the stowed position is effected by rotation about a substantially vertical axis of at least part of an arm supporting the propulsion unit
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial vehicle has a passenger cabin for receiving at least one passenger, a load-bearing structure beneath the cabin, and a propulsion system including a number of propulsion units, which propel the aerial vehicle for powered flight and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The propulsion units are preferably carried by support arms attached to the load-bearing structure and extending upwards therefrom so as to support the propulsion units at a level above the cabin. The aerial vehicle is preferably reconfigurable to a compact configuration after landing, with at least some of the propulsion units overlapping the cabin and/or each other, while still allowing passenger transfer in and out of the vehicle, thereby facilitating efficient use of space for implementing a vertiport.