VTOL Aircraft Wing Opening Thruster Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airborne transportation systems, reliant on large fixed-wing aircraft and centralized airports, face limitations in flexibility, convenience, and capacity, leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies in meeting increasing demands for faster and more reliable services.
Innovation Solution
The development of fixed-wing aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, equipped with separate vertical and horizontal propulsion systems, allowing for efficient take-off and landing outside airports and high-speed cruising, along with modular designs and renewable power sources, enabling distributed transportation solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large fixed-wing aircraft are used for transportation, then cargo and passenger capacity is improved, but flexibility and accessibility are worsened due to dependency on centralized airports
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable wing body with vertical propulsion system and separate fuselage/cargo modules with horizontal propulsion. This segmentation enables the wing body to perform vertical take-off and landing independently, while cargo modules can be transported horizontally and detached at destination, resolving the contradiction between capacity and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft transitions between vertical and horizontal flight modes by activating different propulsion systems. The wing body operates in vertical dimension for take-off and landing, while cargo modules operate in horizontal dimension for transport, enabling operation without traditional airports while maintaining large cargo capacity
2Productivity
If centralized airport systems are used, then large aircraft can operate efficiently, but system bottlenecks and operational limitations are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo delivery function is extracted from the vertical take-off and landing operation. The wing body performs VTOL to transport cargo modules to general locations, then detaches the cargo modules which complete final delivery using their own horizontal propulsion systems, eliminating dependency on centralized airport infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo modules serve as intermediaries between the wing body and final delivery location. They are transported vertically by the wing body to areas without airports, then use their own propulsion systems for horizontal movement and delivery, resolving system bottlenecks while maintaining efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If vertical propulsion systems are integrated into wing, then take-off and landing flexibility is improved, but wing structural complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wing body is designed as a universal platform that can transport multiple types of cargo modules (passenger modules, freight modules, mail modules) with different propulsion systems. The vertical propulsion system in the wing body provides multi-functional capability for various module types, managing structural complexity through standardized design
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
This approach enhances transportation efficiency by allowing VTOL aircraft to operate outside traditional airports, providing flexible and convenient services with increased capacity, reducing bottlenecks and improving overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a vertical propulsion system... providing a vertical thrust for taking off vertically from the ground
Implementation Method 2
a horizontal propulsion system... providing a horizontal thrust for moving horizontally during a flight
Implementation Method 3
fixed-wing aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an aircraft (200) for vertical take-off and landing. In various embodiments, an aircraft assembly includes at least one first wing portion (210) providing a lift force during a horizontal flight, at least one wing opening disposed on a vertical axis of the at least one first wing portion (210) and at least one thruster (240) positioned inside the at least one wing opening to provide vertical thrust during a vertical flight. The aircraft assembly can further include air vents (2030) positioned inside at least one of the wing openings. The air vents can further include louvres (2040) positioned over or under the air vents (2030) to open and close the wing openings. The thruster can further be used to provide flight control for the aircraft.