CycloTech Air Taxi V1 (concept design)
Air Taxi V1 (concept design)
CycloTech GmbH
Linz, Austria
www.cyclotech.at
CycloTech GmbH was founded in 2004 in Austria (originally as IAT 21) and has been to date, actively pursuing research and development, manufacturing and testing their CycloRotor technology. The company's core business is the development and optimization of CycloRotors for the propulsion of hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) or electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) passenger and air cargo aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM). According to one website, the company has as least six patents as of October 2023. While the company has already has had investments from Breeze Invest, the company is seeking more financial investors. The company is the leading developer of cyclorgyro technology. (Image credit: CycloTech)
CyclorRotor
The CycloRotor is a series of propeller blades mounted on both ends to rotating disks, forming what could be called a bladed cylinder. The unique ability of the blades is they are similar to how most helicopter rotorblades work, each propeller can continuously change its angle or pitch. The blades will tilt gradually into the wind and as they reach a certain point in their rotation, they will gradually tilt back to flat as they pass the peak point. The core of the drive concept was established by Ernst Schneider and the Voith GmbH technology group nearly 100 years ago, and patented as the Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP).
When CycloRotors are placed perpendicularly and vertically to the fuselage of an aircraft, the CycloRotors enable high-precision flight in all directions (or superior maneuverability) as well as mid-air braking even in gusty wind conditions. This means the aircraft has has 360° thrust vectoring capability. The means the aircraft now has the ability to instantaneously and precisely move the aircraft in any direction. This ability allows for an easy and smooth transition from VTOL to forward flight. It is possible to keep the aircraft fuselage at any angle, independent from the flight direction. This is called decoupling of the flight path and the vehicle attitude. The propulsion system is ideal for safe operation in crowed airspace and confined areas. This is all accomplished without tilting or banking the aircraft. When there are six CycloRotors on an aircraft, they provide a high level of redundancy, allowing to pilot to fly and land safely, even if one or two CycloRotors fail to work.
Benefits of CycloRotors
- The aircraft has 360° thrust vectoring capability. The means the aircraft has the ability to instantaneously and precisely move the aircraft in any direction.
- Superior maneuverability in any wind condition including gusty wind conditions
- Easy transition from VTOL to forward flight and back
- It is possible to keep the aircraft fuselage at any angle, independent from the flight direction.
- Allows the aircraft to have a small footprint
- The VTOL aircraft can fly in confined areas
- Provides a comfortable ride for the pilot and passengers because the CycloRotors can maneuver the fuselage in any position while in flight
- CycloRotors are very reliable and have a long service life
- CycloRotor technology reduces the cost of the aircraft and maintenance costs
CycloTech Air Taxi V1 passenger multiple power source VTOL concept design aircraft
The CycloTech Air Taxi V1 is four person multiple power source VTOL concept design aircraft. The aircraft holds one pilot, three passengers and their luggage. This sleek and modern concept design not only shows the configuration of the CycloRotors but also, this type of propulsion system is very compact and will allow aircraft using this propulsion technology to land in most prepared and unprepared landing spaces with ease. CycloRotors can be powered using conventional, hybrid-electric or all-electric power sources.
The expected cruise speed for this size aircraft is 150 km/h (93 mph), has an estimated range of 85 km (53 m) and predicted flight time of 40 minutes. The empty weight calculated at 1,800 kg (3,968 lb), with a maximum payload weight of 400 kg (882 lb) and has maximum takeoff weight of 2,200 kg (4,850 lb).
The aircraft has four CycloRotors that have a 1,600 rpm and are powered by four electric motors. The dimensions of the CycloRotor is 100 x 120 cm (39 in x 47 in). The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite for a high strength to low weight ratio. The length of this aircraft was designed to be 275.6 in (700 cm) with a width of 197 in (500 cm). The concept design aircraft has panoramic wrap around windows allowing forward, left and right visibility for spectacular views for the pilot and passengers with a solid roof above the passenger compartment. The aircraft has fixed skid landing gear which also reduces the complexity of the aircraft.
Test Flights
The company has been testing their CycloRotors in wind tunnel testing and flown more the 500 test flights with their technology demonstrator for several years now. The first flight with Bumble Bee 1.0 took place on August 20, 2021, according to a company video. The first flight was indoors and was a tethered flight. Following European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations, CycloTech received permission from the national aviation safety authority, Austro Control (Austria), to perform outdoor flights with its 85 kg (187 lb) demonstrator starting March 2023.
CycloTech
CycloTech develops aircraft configurations together with partners from the aviation, automotive and logistics industry. Their partners define the configuration and CycloTech contributes to the propulsion technology. CycloTech offers access to its patented technology through license agreements and payment of royalties.
Specifications:
- Aircraft type: Hybrid-electric VTOL or eVTOL passenger concept design aircraft
- Piloting: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 3 passengers and luggage
- Cruise speed: 150 km/h (93 mph)
- Range: 85 km (53 m)
- Flight time: 40 minutes
- Empty weight: 1,800 kg (3,968 lb)
- Maximum payload weight: 400 kg (882 lb)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb)
- Propellers: 4 Cyclogyro rotors
- Rotor dimension: 100 x 120 cm (39 in x 47 in)
- Rotation speed: 1,600 rpm
- Electric motors: 4 electric motors
- Power source: Conventional, hybrid-electric or all electric power source
- Battery information: 760 kg @ 230 Wh/kg (1,676 lb @ 230 Wh/lb)
- Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
- Length: 275.6 in (700 cm)
- Width: 197 in (500 cm)
- Windows: Panoramic wrap around windows allowing forward, left and right visibility for spectacular views with a solid roof above the passenger compartment
- Landing gear: Fixed skid landing gear
- Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers or in this case, CycloRotors, and motors on the aircraft, so if one or more CycloRotors or motors fail, the other working CyclorRotors and motors can safely land the aircraft. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft.
Related Aircraft:
- CycloTech Air Taxi V2 (concept design)
- CycloTech Bumblebee (technology demonstrator)
- CycloTech CCY-01 (concept design)
- CycloTech Compound Helicopter (concept design)
- CycloTech CruiseUp (concept design)
- CycloTech D-Dalus (concept design)
- CycloTech UAV Demonstrator (concept design)
Company Insights:
Resources:
- CycloTech website
- CycloTech Twitter
- CycloTech YouTube Channel
- CycloTech LinkedIn
- Cyclogyro Wikipedia
- Cyclorotor Wikipedia
- Voith Schneider Propeller Wikipedia
- Video: Cyclotech | Gyclogyro Principle, Vimeo, Jan. 2020
- Video: CycloTech | CycloRotor / Cyclogyro Principle, CycloTech GmbH, Jan. 23, 2020
- Article: Cyclotech plans hover flight tests of its airfoil-less air taxi engine by end of year, Urban Air Mobility News, Sept. 14, 2020
- Article: CycloTech plots development course for its Cyclogyro rotor technology, Vertical Magazine, Sept. 25, 2020
- Article: This Futuristic New eVTOL Concept Uses a Boat Propeller to Fly in Any Direction, Robb Report, Oct. 1, 2020
- Article: Cyclotech brings a totally unique propulsion system to the eVTOL world, New Atlas, Oct. 20, 2020
- Article: First Free Flight with CycloRotors, CycloTech, Aug. 2021
- Video: CycloTech | Demonstrator First Free Flight (Indoor), CycloTech GmbH, Oct. 5, 2021
- Article: CycloTech shows first flight of its cyclo-rotor eVTOL prototype, New Atlas, Oct. 11, 2021
- Article: CycloTech and Yamato reveal innovative cargo eVTOL concept with CycloRotors, CycloTech, Apr. 12, 2022
- Article: CycloTech Received Operational Authorization for Outdoor Flights, CycloTech, Mar. 6, 2023
- Article: CycloTech received operational authorisation for outdoor flights, Airframer, Mar. 6, 2023
- Article: CycloTech receives operational authorization for outdoor flight tests, Vertical Magazine, Mar. 6, 2023
- Video: CycloRotor | Outdoor Noise Test 2022, CycloTech GmbH, June 6, 2023
- Article: CycloTech Reveals Noise Level of CycloRotor, CycloTech, June 6, 2023
- Article: CycloTech reveals noise level of CycloRotor, Vertical Magazine, June 6, 2023
- Article: CycloTech reveals outdoor noise level from its CycloRotor propellers, New Atlas, June 7, 2023
- Article: CycloTech starts outdoor flying, Airframer, Aug. 30, 2023
- Article: CycloTech Starts Outdoor Flying, CycloTech, Aug. 30, 2023
- Article: CycloRotor | Start Outdoor Flying, CycloTech GmbH, Aug. 31, 2023
- Article: CycloTech presents first air car with CycloRotors, Airframer, Oct. 5, 2023
- Article: CycloTech Presents First Air Car with CycloRotors, CycloTech, Oct. 5, 2023
- Article: CycloTech presents first air car with CycloRotors, Vertical Magazine, Oct. 5, 2023
- Article: CycloTech raises 20 million Euros for aviation propulsion system, Vertical Magazine, Feb. 28, 2024
- Article: CycloTech raises EUR20 Million for “Innovative Aviation Propulsion System”, eVTOL Insights, Feb. 29, 2024
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