Wind-Optimal Trajectories for Multirotor eVTOL Aircraft on UAM Missions

Pradeep, Priyank; Lauderdale, Todd A.; Chatterji, Gano B.; Sheth, Kapil; Lai, Chok Fung; Sridhar, Banavar; Edholm, Kaj-Martin; Erzberger, Heinz

doi:10.2514/6.2020-3271

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Optimal control methods are employed in several engineering applications [5,6,7]. To name a few and as mentioned in the introduction, the use of optimal control methods can be found for commercial aircraft [8], missiles [7], earth reentry [3] as well as multicopters [4]. Therefore, a model of the dynamic system dependent on states, controls and parameters is required.…”

Section: Applied Optimal Control In Aerospace Engineeringmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, it can be observed that the heat flux deviates significantly. Also, in [4] energyminimal eVTOL trajectories are calculated for different wind conditions, revealing a significant variation in energy demand.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One possibility to react to uncertainties is to generate a dataset of optimal trajectories covering every possible circumstance. As an example, [4] considers VTOL trajectories under wind conditions. In order to generate such a dataset, one would need to calculate optimal trajectories covering every wind direction and wind speed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Robust eVTOL trajectory optimization under uncertainties – Challenges and approaches

Akman

Schweighofer

Afonso

et al. 2023

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

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In the paper at hand an overview of the problem of eVTOL trajectory optimization by means of optimal control methods is given. Especially the question of how to robustly optimize trajectories under uncertainties is discussed. The inherent instability of typical eVTOL configurations in hover and transition represents a significant challenge for robust trajectory optimization. We pinpoint specific arising issues and survey potential solutions.

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Section: Applied Optimal Control In Aerospace Engineeringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Robust eVTOL trajectory optimization under uncertainties – Challenges and approaches

Akman

Schweighofer

Afonso

et al. 2023

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

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“…Also, special thanks to Christopher Silva for reviewing the drag and power equations. Part of this material was presented as a conference paper at the 2020 AIAA Aviation Forum (Pradeep et al, 2020).…”

Section: Acknowledgmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind-optimal lateral trajectories for a multirotor aircraft in urban air mobility

Pradeep

Chatterji²,

Lauderdale³

et al. 2022

Front. Aerosp. Eng.

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The primary motivation for this paper is to quantify the operational benefits (energy consumption and flight duration) of flying wind-optimal lateral trajectories for short flights (less than 60 miles) anticipated in the urban environment. The optimal control model presented includes a wind model for quantifying the effect of wind on the lateral trajectory. The optimal control problem is numerically solved using the direct collocation method. Energy consumption and flight duration flying wind-optimal lateral trajectories are compared with corresponding values obtained flying great-circle paths between the same origin and destination pairs to determine the operational benefits of wind-optimal routing for short flights. The flight duration results for different scenarios are validated using a simulation tool designed and developed at NASA for exploring advanced air traffic management concepts. This research study suggests that for short flights in an urban environment, operational benefits of the wind-optimal lateral trajectories over the corresponding great-circle trajectories in terms of energy consumption and flight duration per flight are dependent on: i) wind field’s spatial variability, ii) wind magnitude, iii) the direction of route relative to the wind field, and iv) cruise segment length. The operational benefits observed in realistic flyable wind scenarios are less than 2.5%; these could be translated to an equivalent of a maximum of 2 min of cruise flight duration savings in the urban air mobility environment. As expected, headwinds and tailwinds along the flight route most significantly impact energy consumption and flight duration.

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“…Measure of the force exerted on a surface by the wind, expressed as a force or wind load on the whole surface, which in the International System of Units (SI) is Newtons or Pascals(Johnson, 2020) Wu et al (2019). conducted a detailed overview of gust loads on aircraft and concluded that the induced force influences the detrimental effect on aerodynamic performance and structural damage under increased loads Pradeep et al (2020),. investigated optimal trajectories at wind conditions for multicopter type of e-VTOL aircraft and found that it restricts flight endurance due to the low specific energy of Lithium-ion batteries Schweiger et al (2023).…”

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confidence: 99%

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Network. Case Study: Baku Metropolitan Area

Imanov

2024

IJAST

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The development and implementation of the Urban Air Mobility transportation system, using electric vertical takeoff and landing (e-VTOL) aircrafts are the most promising solutions to mitigate growing congestion in big cities. The multiple studies and assumed forecasts indicate a transformation of urban and regional transportation infrastructure while applying the air mobility concept. This study analyzes the feasibility of UAM operations focused on the selection of service segmentation with relevant use cases, which allows for define suitable air vehicle configurations for optimization of possible air network development for Baku city and suburban areas. The result of the study introduces air vehicle features, including flight range, payload ratio, as well as several aspects of weather condition for safe operations, and outlines approaches to defining suitable regulatory framework requirements for public departments. The findings provide a practical perspective for urban planners and involved single companies, which may be useful guidelines at the initial stages of UAM services and obtaining significant information about e-VTOL aircraft and their design configurations to overcome arising barriers in the implementation processes.

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Wind-Optimal Trajectories for Multirotor eVTOL Aircraft on UAM Missions

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

Robust eVTOL trajectory optimization under uncertainties – Challenges and approaches

Robust eVTOL trajectory optimization under uncertainties – Challenges and approaches

Wind-optimal lateral trajectories for a multirotor aircraft in urban air mobility

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Network. Case Study: Baku Metropolitan Area

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