VTOL Stabilization Enclosure for Ground Effect Turbulence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (VTOLs) face issues such as noise, air turbulence, safety concerns, and structural damage during takeoff and landing, which hinder their widespread adoption in inhabited areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving a vertically-oriented support element with a stabilizer and an enclosure that stabilizes the VTOL during takeoff and landing by engaging the vehicle's stabilizer elements and maintaining electrical contact for power, while using pressure regulation to manage airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If VTOLs use powerful rotors for vertical lift-off and landing, then they can achieve the required lift capability, but they create significant air turbulence, noise, and safety issues that adversely impact structures and people at ground level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stabilizing apparatus with vertically-oriented support elements and cooperating stabilizer elements as an intermediary between the VTOL and the ground. This apparatus intercepts and stabilizes the vehicle during takeoff and landing, reducing the direct impact of rotor-generated turbulence and noise on ground-level structures and personnel while maintaining the necessary lift capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the stabilizing function from the VTOL itself and places it in a separate, dedicated stabilizing apparatus. By removing the stabilization task from the vehicle's own systems, the VTOL can focus on providing lift while the external apparatus handles turbulence reduction and ground effect management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If VTOLs operate in inhabited areas, then they can provide point-to-point delivery and personnel transport services, but they face safety concerns and structural damage risks during takeoff and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements prior cushioning by providing a stabilizing apparatus that is positioned in advance at the takeoff and landing location. The apparatus includes support elements and stabilizer elements that are ready to engage with the VTOL before critical operations occur, cushioning against potential safety issues and structural damage through pre-positioned stabilization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing apparatus serves as an intermediary safety system between the VTOL and the inhabited environment. It mediates the interaction by providing controlled stabilization and reducing the direct harmful effects on surrounding structures and personnel, enabling safer operation in populated areas.
3Ease of operation
If VTOLs perform takeoff and landing operations, then they can achieve point-to-point transport without runways, but they experience instability due to ground effect turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stabilizing apparatus as an intermediary system that compensates for ground effect turbulence. The vertically-oriented support elements and cooperating stabilizer elements work together to stabilize the VTOL during critical phases of operation, maintaining vehicle stability despite the absence of traditional runway infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing apparatus creates a controlled micro-environment around the VTOL during takeoff and landing, effectively copying or replicating the stability conditions that would otherwise be provided by a traditional runway environment. This allows runway-less operation while maintaining necessary vehicle stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (VTOLs) of the type used for the point-to-point delivery and transport of payloads (e.g., packages, equipment, etc.) and personnel, are significantly stabilized at least during takeoff and landing with present aspects significantly ameliorating or significantly eliminating destabilizing effects, including ground effect, during VTOL takeoff and/or landing. VTOL performance is further improved through the use of increased lift pressure and battery charging during takeoff.