Pterodyamics Expands the Size of Its Impressive Transwing eVTOL with Increased Dihedral

A recently released video demonstrates the flight of an intriguing eVTOL aircraft design on a larger scale. The Transwing platform utilizes a distinctive wing system that can fold at a dihedral angle, enabling smooth transitions between hover and cruise modes and providing significant benefits.

Electric VTOL

Electric VTOL aircraft that transition from vertical takeoff and landing, similar to multicopter drones, to efficient forward flight with wing lift are being developed by numerous companies. These companies, numbering in the hundreds, are competing to introduce various designs to the market, all facing a common set of challenges.

Optimal winged flight efficiency necessitates the use of large and wide wings. However, these wings pose challenges during landing and occupy significant ground space. The straightforward approach to managing both vertical and cruise flights is to employ separate propellers for each mode. However, this approach introduces additional drawbacks such as increased parasitic drag and weight.

Pterodynamics

Pterodynamics, as previously discussed, claims to have developed an extremely efficient eVTOL airframe that is also remarkably compact when landed and relatively straightforward in terms of its mechanical design.

The innovative and patented structure resembles an airplane in the process of flying forward, featuring propellers evenly positioned on its wings. However, during the landing phase, the wings retract, ultimately folding and securely storing against the fuselage’s sides.

A Crucial Aspect

The crucial aspect lies in the implementation of dihedral hinges that facilitate the rotation of the wings. As the wings fold, they tilt, causing them to face upwards along with the propellers when they eventually rest against the aircraft’s body. The entire transition is characterized as “aerodynamically benign,” meaning it has minimal impact on the aircraft’s aerodynamics, and it is executed seamlessly through the mechanical operation of small struts extending from the fuselage, driven by a linear actuator.

Consequently, this design allows for the incorporation of notably broader wings compared to other eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) designs, especially in scenarios where ground space or helipad accessibility is a factor to consider. Additionally, for portable applications resembling drones, these aircraft can be conveniently stored in a compact box, fully prepared for flight.

Pterodynamics has developed the X-P4 prototype, which features a wingspan of 4 meters (13.1 feet) and a fuselage of approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) in length. As reported by Unmanned Systems Technology magazine, during forward flight, the aircraft utilizes only two propellers, while the other two remain in a passive folded position within their nacelles until they are required for a vertical landing.

What The US Navy Says?

The X-P4 has been undergoing evaluation by the US Navy as a platform for ship-to-shore logistics operations. In this role, it has the capacity to transport cargo of approximately one cubic foot, securely stored within its fuselage. This solution offers significant cost advantages compared to the existing method, which reportedly involves transporting items to Navy ships using Black Hawk helicopters or V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft.

A Powerful Concept

However, the concept has the potential to scale up significantly, reaching sizes suitable for eVTOL air taxis and even beyond. In fact, a Transwing design could potentially transport 10 or more passengers from one rooftop to another, while still being able to utilize the same helipad as a five-seat Joby or a seven-seat Lilium aircraft.

Furthermore, due to its capacity to accommodate exceptionally expansive wings and the capability to swiftly transition into cruise flight right after takeoff, this design offers the potential to be one of the most efficient eVTOL designs available. It holds the promise of maximizing the range achievable from a battery, surpassing competing designs in this aspect.

Witness the remarkable X-P4 drone in action through the captivating video provided below. This innovative concept holds immense promise, and we eagerly anticipate the future trajectory it will follow.

Read the original article on Newatlas.

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