Design and Analysis of VTOL Operated Intercity Electrical Vehicle for Urban Air Mobility

Abstract

This paper discusses the conceptual design of an intercity electrical vertical take-off-and-landing aircraft. A literature survey of existing eVTOL aircrafts, configuration selection, initial sizing, weight estimation, modelling and analysis was conducted. The present intercity eVTOL aircraft has the capability to carry four passengers along with one pilot for a distance of 500 km. Two specific aircraft modes, such as air-taxi and air-cargo mode, are considered in the present design. Market entry is predicted before 2031. Subsequently, innovative technologies are incorporated into the design. The present design features an aerodynamically shaped fuselage, tapered wing and a V-tail design. It can carry a nominal payload of 500 kg to a maximum range of 500 km at a cruise speed of Mach 0.168. The present eVTOL is comprised of a 5 m-long fuselage and an 11 m wingspan. It utilizes six tilt-rotor propeller engines. The maximum take-off weight and empty weight are 1755 kg and 1255 kg, respectively. The unit price is expected to be between USD 14.83 and 17.36 million. This aircraft has an aesthetically pleasing, intelligent and feasible design.

Introducing an efficiency index to evaluate eVTOL designs

“…Lee et al (2020) found that the MTOW has a direct effect on aircraft performance in terms of range, cruise speed, and stall speed (Lee, Tullu, & Hwang, 2020). Akash et al (2022) presented the design of a TR eVTOL aircraft that they expect to carry 500-kilograms of payload for 500 kilometers by assuming the use of a 600 Wh/kg lithium-sulphur battery (Akash, et al, 2022). Their mission profile estimated that cruising at 200 km/h will account for 81% of the total energy use.…”

“…The lift generated is the perpendicular component of the vector sum of all the forces that the air exerts on the airframe while flowing around it. The CL factor scales the dynamic pressure to create the lifting force, but it has been difficult to calculate (Akash, et al, 2022). Therefore, engineers estimate CL by measuring the dependent factors.…”

Challenges and opportunities of FACTS devices interacting with electric vehicles in distribution networks: A technological review

“…This article discusses a thorough strategy for the entire project and the creation of an energy planning solution for hybrid drivetrains founded on Q-learning [47]. The prototype model of an interstate electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) airplane is discussed in this study [48]. A novel hybrid energy infrastructure is proposed in this study to increase the shifting performance of HEVs [49].…”

Three-Dimensional Urban Air Networks for Future Urban Air Transport Systems

“…An airport shuttle would provide scheduled flights between airports and strategic locations or points of interest (POI) in metropolitan areas for similar distance ranges as the air taxi service [23,24]. Finally, intercity scheduled services between cities would cover distances of more than 100 km and would allow direct access to POIs [25].…”