COMPLEMENTARY TECHNOLOGIES
Transformer Drone - Solar Platform (SP) Drone
Improved utilization of:
The Technologies and Proof of Concept
1. Transformer Drone - Transformer Drone is based on a front tiltwing that transitions from vertical lift force for vertical takeoff/landing (VTOL) to horizontal thrust for cruising. The transition includes forming cruising: 1) lifting-body configurations and 2) configurations to attain the best available energy efficiency (high lift-to-drag ratios). Will it work? - Prototypes have demonstrated VTOL and 70% transformation (see videos). The front tiltwing propulsor pulls (tractor configuration) the drone during transition, and it is only a matter of providing enough power (lacking in first prototypes) to the tiltwing propulsor to complete the transition. The final cruising configuration (and transition thereto) is a design degree of freedom with open-ended possibilities and including the folding of a midsection rotary blade to reduce drag and increase lift when cruising. See US Patent 10,589,838 and Application 16/6783319 (USPTO search; Suppes, Galen as inventor).
Unlike tiltwings on opposite sides of a fuselage (e.g. V-22 Osprey), the front tiltwing is passively stable and enables four modes of failsafe lading (see illustration, left) when paired with a midsection rotor.
2. Solar-Platform (SP) Drone - Unlike NASA's HELIOS 24/7 solar plane, which used a fragile high wingspan configuration, SP-Drone uses a lifting body configuration (see image left, see Fig. 19 of US 16/6783319). The rectangular lifting body technology is more robust for takeoff/landing and can extend rearward when in flight. Most of the vehicle is a thin solar panel which forms a light-weight lifting body where extended solar panel surfaces incrementally collect much more solar energy than needed to sustain their flight. The solar productivity of solar panels deployed in 24/7 stratospheric flight are 3X that of panels on Earth's surface due to: 1) higher radiation in stratosphere, 2) lack of cloud interference, 3) daytime flight with Earth's orbit, and 4) nighttime flight against Earth's orbit. These platforms are flying energy sources including the ability to make fuel cell fuels from stratospheric gases with easy delivery to anywhere on Earth's surface.
Improved utilization of:
- Lifting Body Technology,
- Molded-Core Motors,
- & the Synergy of Serial Innovations
The Technologies and Proof of Concept
1. Transformer Drone - Transformer Drone is based on a front tiltwing that transitions from vertical lift force for vertical takeoff/landing (VTOL) to horizontal thrust for cruising. The transition includes forming cruising: 1) lifting-body configurations and 2) configurations to attain the best available energy efficiency (high lift-to-drag ratios). Will it work? - Prototypes have demonstrated VTOL and 70% transformation (see videos). The front tiltwing propulsor pulls (tractor configuration) the drone during transition, and it is only a matter of providing enough power (lacking in first prototypes) to the tiltwing propulsor to complete the transition. The final cruising configuration (and transition thereto) is a design degree of freedom with open-ended possibilities and including the folding of a midsection rotary blade to reduce drag and increase lift when cruising. See US Patent 10,589,838 and Application 16/6783319 (USPTO search; Suppes, Galen as inventor).
Unlike tiltwings on opposite sides of a fuselage (e.g. V-22 Osprey), the front tiltwing is passively stable and enables four modes of failsafe lading (see illustration, left) when paired with a midsection rotor.
2. Solar-Platform (SP) Drone - Unlike NASA's HELIOS 24/7 solar plane, which used a fragile high wingspan configuration, SP-Drone uses a lifting body configuration (see image left, see Fig. 19 of US 16/6783319). The rectangular lifting body technology is more robust for takeoff/landing and can extend rearward when in flight. Most of the vehicle is a thin solar panel which forms a light-weight lifting body where extended solar panel surfaces incrementally collect much more solar energy than needed to sustain their flight. The solar productivity of solar panels deployed in 24/7 stratospheric flight are 3X that of panels on Earth's surface due to: 1) higher radiation in stratosphere, 2) lack of cloud interference, 3) daytime flight with Earth's orbit, and 4) nighttime flight against Earth's orbit. These platforms are flying energy sources including the ability to make fuel cell fuels from stratospheric gases with easy delivery to anywhere on Earth's surface.
Hydrogen Fuel - Hydrogen fuel is being deployed in automobiles, but the cost and limited refueling stations is a problem. For air transit using electric VTOL, hydrogen brings forth advantages of extended range and higher stored-fuel impulse than batteries. Transformer drone complements hydrogen eVTOL vehicles with higher speeds and improved energy efficiency. SP-Drone brings forth a method to produce hydrogen from solar energy at 3X the solar productivity of Earth's surface. The Hybrid Electric-Ramjet engine bring forth higher speeds and a sustainable and large market for fuel cells to reach excellent economies of scale.
The stage is set for incredible advances in aerospace.
Efficiency of Air Transit - Oak Ridge National Laboratory has identified energy efficiency of airliner transit as a close second only to intercity railway transit (versus other common modes such as automobiles). VTOL aircraft are able to provide direct service routes which have substantially reduced transit distances since the routes are independent of airports and railway lines, and Transformer Drone does this in streamlined cruising configurations at high speed and fuel economy. This markedly increases the energy efficiency of air transit to become the most efficient of all transit modes for large markets.
Use of SP-Drone solar-based hydrogen further increases efficiency in a renewable fuel that is sustainable. As aircraft become more energy efficient, it becomes both cost and energy effective to use solar panels on some aircraft to further increase range and efficiency. At the end of the day, major increases in efficiency and decreases in cost are possible for significant sectors of passenger, parcel, and freight transit.
The stage is set for incredible advances in aerospace.
The stage is set for incredible advances in aerospace.
Efficiency of Air Transit - Oak Ridge National Laboratory has identified energy efficiency of airliner transit as a close second only to intercity railway transit (versus other common modes such as automobiles). VTOL aircraft are able to provide direct service routes which have substantially reduced transit distances since the routes are independent of airports and railway lines, and Transformer Drone does this in streamlined cruising configurations at high speed and fuel economy. This markedly increases the energy efficiency of air transit to become the most efficient of all transit modes for large markets.
Use of SP-Drone solar-based hydrogen further increases efficiency in a renewable fuel that is sustainable. As aircraft become more energy efficient, it becomes both cost and energy effective to use solar panels on some aircraft to further increase range and efficiency. At the end of the day, major increases in efficiency and decreases in cost are possible for significant sectors of passenger, parcel, and freight transit.
The stage is set for incredible advances in aerospace.