Blade Runner: 18-Rotor “Volocopter” Moving from Concept to Prototype

Inventor and physicist Thomas synkel His girl and only the test flight created an internet sensation with the October 2011 video Multiopter 1, a group of 16 rotary helicopters with European Start-up E-Volo, experimental individual aviation craftsmanship. “Voococopter” design Two more rotors, series hybrid drive and 100 percent adding long-term plans to go to battery power.

The new design calls for a motorized 1.8 meters, 0.5 kilograms of carbon fiber blades each paired with a motor. Boxy has been among a hub in two concentric circles over a cockpit of one or two people.

Lindbergh Award for innovation in April after awarding the Voocopter concept, Yolana Wulff, Executive Director Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh FoundationFirst, the idea of ​​a very knife chopper acknowledged “nutty”. The E-Volo concept, which goes beyond the appearance of the novel, is superior to security, energy efficiency and simplicity.

All three attributes thank you for the removal of Evolo’s classical helicopter elements. First, the high mass of the energies, the main rotor, pass, tail boom and tail rotor. A normal chop raises giant blades over the cabin, but the masses are highly stressed and dressed on craft. The small tail rotor, vertically, behind a boom behind the cabin, keeps the body of the body without twisting in the opposite direction, as well as about 30 percent of a helicopter.

Votocopter’s large number of rotor blades do not create a large rotor and offers a reserve for security. Hypothetically, all these rotors were collected together on one side, and the inventive and e-votes of the plane can fly with a few working routes for one side to one side.

Without anonymous configuration, the art would be lighter, more fuel and reduces the physical complexity of power supply to the upper and back knives. Nor will the Volocopter need energy-star transmission. In fact, “There will be no mechanical connection between gas engine and knives,” Sikkel says. This means a more reduced point for energy loss and security.

The design of the e-Volo eliminates the addiction from a single source of power to knives. As a serial hybrid means, the gas was a gas engine in Volokot, in this case, can produce an engine that can produce 50-75 kilowats typically typical to Ultralight aircraft. Instead of managing the rotor mechanically, electric motors for engine electric motors, as well as lithium batteries. It should be failed, batteries are expected to provide sufficient resources to make a decline in craftsmanship.

Helicopters change the pitch of the main and tail rotor blades, the maneuverability of the Volocopter will depend on the change of the speed of individual rotors. Although more complex, a microntroler (when one or more fails) using a pilot using a play console, a pilot using a pilot using a pilot and a strange is more accurate in the principle of using a craft.

The first impression of a vulphopter’s design is not uncommon. E-Volo’s computer-animated computer-animated computer animated presentation videos, a glossy white, carbon fibrous and fiberglass craft under a dwell of knives are reminiscent of flying cars in the late 19th century. This point is not lost in the sync.

“I understand these skeptical ideas,” he says. “The concept of design is like a blender. But we are really safe flying cars.”

This would be progress in itself. Multicopter 1 was especially similar to anything from the episode of Iffy MacyverComplete the silver yoga with a decline gear that draws the ball. Senkel, all rotors sat inside all the rotors equipped only by lithium batteries. Multicopter 1, created an average of 20 kilowats for hovering and took a few minutes.

There is a reason for the craftsman of the practice and only once flew. Once. He sat like a seated knives on the same platform, “I was aware of what I would be dead. In addition, we showed the concept. Rhetorically asks.

In addition to putting the pilot in the bottom of the knives, the revised Volokopter design will work equally with the initial prototype. Design calls three or six unnecessary accelerometers and Giroscopes To measure the position and direction of the vulocopter and create a direction of craftsmanship and create a feedback loop, which makes it easier to fly, says synkel.

The reconstructed prototype of the under construction can debut until the next spring. Perhaps the first production models available in three years, for at least 100 kilometers per hour, more than 100 meters, more than 100 meters high, the standard helicopter is more shyness About 3,000 meters. “It can change our lives, but I have not expected such a thing for 10 years,” Senkel adds.

Most of the technology needed for the construction of the Votoker, “This idea is in a real way,” said Carl Kühn, a managing director of the E-Volo Partner Smoto GmbHA company that combines electrical drive systems and related components.

As synkel, Kühn, despite the emphasis on the standard nature of the technology involved, Kühhn has modest-term expectations. “I think e-Volo will be [a prototype] In three years, one or two people on the plane will raise from one point to another, “he says.

The biggest immediate restrictions seem to arrange. For example, European aviation regulators consider high voltage, and such systems consider any electrical system more than 60 volts to more aggressively adjust and the ichr. As a result, this will run the Volokot below this limit. Craft, as well as Senke, less government should not exceed 450 kilograms to stay in the Ultralight category exposed to aviation rules.

Wulff of the Lindbergh Foundation Wulff, E-Volo’s judges’ chances of success were more than 50 percent or did not give an innovative award. ” He asked if one day would go out of order to fly, “I’ll be sure. I look very attractive to me.”

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