VTOL Aircraft Tail with Wake-Extruded Vertical Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft face challenges in maintaining integrity during landing due to the limitations of control surfaces in adjusting the aircraft's attitude effectively.
Innovation Solution
A VTOL aircraft design incorporating a lift component affixed to the aft end of a boom, a fuselage with a tail featuring vertically projecting elements positioned outside the wake of the lift component, and a computing system for flight control, enabling stable flight and landing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control surfaces are used to adjust aircraft attitude during landing, then aircraft integrity can be maintained, but the control effectiveness is insufficient for VTOL aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The tail assembly is divided into multiple vertically projecting elements rather than a single control surface, allowing independent or differential movement of each element to provide more precise and effective attitude control during VTOL landing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The control elements are arranged vertically rather than horizontally, adding a vertical dimension to the control surface geometry. This vertical arrangement allows the elements to interact more effectively with the airflow and lift component wake, providing enhanced control authority for attitude adjustment during landing
2Device complexity
If vertically projecting elements are positioned inside the wake of the lift component, then the tail structure is compact, but the elements are exposed to turbulent wake flow that reduces control effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The vertically projecting elements are extracted from the turbulent wake region and repositioned to the outer edges of the tail assembly, placing them in cleaner airflow. This extraction removes the harmful wake turbulence from the control elements' operational environment while maintaining a relatively compact overall tail structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tail assembly have different functions: the central region contains the structural connection to the fuselage, while the outer regions contain the control elements positioned in optimal airflow locations. This local differentiation optimizes control effectiveness without requiring a completely dispersed tail structure
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 enhances the aircraft's ability to maintain stability and control during landing by effectively utilizing the lift component and tail configuration, supported by advanced computing systems for precise flight management.
Implementation Method 1
at least a lift component affixed to an aft end of a boom, wherein the lift component is configured to generate lift
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of vertically projecting elements are positioned outside of the wake from the at least a lift component when in conventional flight
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is disclosed. The VTOL aircraft includes at least a lift component affixed to the aft end of a boom, wherein the lift component is configured to generate lift. The VTOL includes a fuselage comprising a fore end and an aft end. Additionally, VTOL aircraft includes a tail affixed to the aft end of a fuselage. A tail includes a plurality of vertically projecting elements, wherein the plurality vertically projecting elements are affixed at the aft end of the boom and positioned outside of the wake from the at least a lift component.