Auburn University LPC-01 Pushpak (concept design)

(Image credit: Vehicle Systems, Dynamics and Design Laboratory, Auburn University)

LPC-01 Pushpak (concept design)
Vehicle Systems, Dynamics and Design Laboratory
Aerospace Engineering
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama, USA
www.vsddl.com

Founded in August 2018 by Dr. Imon Chakraborty, the Vehicle Systems, Dynamics and Design Laboratory is a research lab that focuses on aircraft systems, dynamics, control, flight simulation and incorporating these aspects into aircraft sizing and design. A flight vehicle, whether novel or conventional, is a central theme of the lab. The research team, consisting of Dr. Chakraborty, PhD seeking graduate students as well as undergraduate researchers, has designed multiple electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and hybrid-electric VTOL concept designs for advanced air mobility (AAM).

Since the lab was founded, the research facility has received more than $1.7 million (USD) in externally funded research, including funding from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NASA and the United States Air Force (USAF) and is also collaborating with multiple industry partners.

LPC-01 Pushpak passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft
The LPC-01 Pushpak is a four passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft. The aircraft holds one pilot, three passengers and their luggage. It is a high-wing lift-plus-cruise design with eight lift propulsors located on two wing-mounted booms. These provide thrust for vertical flight, but are stowed in forward flight, where two constant-speed cruise propulsors mounted on the horizontal stabilizer provide forward thrust.

The estimated cruise speed of the aircraft is 175 knots/201 mph/323 km/h, can perform two back-to-back 43 NM/50 mile/ 80 kilometers trips. The aircraft has 10 propellers, 10 electric motors and uses batteries for its power source. There are eight VTOL-only lift propellers located on the two booms. When in forward flight, the VTOL propellers retract into the booms for better aerodynamics. There are two tractor propellers mounted on the horizontal stabilizer at the rear of the aircraft. The eVTOL aircraft has fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear.

The empty weight of the aircraft is expected to be 3,785 lb (1,717 kg), have a maximum payload weight of 794 lb (360 kg) and have a maximum takeoff weight of 4,579 lb (2,077 kg). The fuselage material has not been specified by the inventors.

Safety features include distributed electric propulsion (DEP) featuring multiple propulsors (propellers + drive motors) so that if one or more propulsors fail, the other working propulsors can safely land the aircraft. DEP provides safety through redundancy for passengers or cargo. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. The lift-plus-cruise aircraft has no tilting components when transitioning between vertical and forward flight which increases safety by reducing complexity. The tricycle gear also allows the aircraft to land conventionally on a runway or road in emergencies.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft
• Piloting: 1 pilot
• Capacity: 3 passengers
• Cruise speed: 201 mph (323 km/h)
• Range: Two back-to-back 50 mile (80 km) trips (with a 20% battery power reserve)
• Cruise altitude: 3,000 ft (914.4 m)
• Empty weight: 3,785 lb (1,717 kg)
• Maximum payload weight: 794 lb (360 kg)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 4,579 lb (2,077 kg)
• Propellers: 10 propellers. 8 VTOL-only propellers and 2 cruise propellers for forward flight.
• Electric motors: 10 electric motors
• Power source: Batteries
• Fuselage: Material unknown
• Wing: 1 high main wing, 39 ft (11.9 m) span
• Tail: 2 downward boom mounted vertical stabilizers, one horizontal stabilizer
• Windows: Larger side windows than a general aviation airplane
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear.
• Safety features: Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) means having multiple propulsors (propellers + drive motors) so that if one or more propulsors fail, the other working propulsors can safely land the aircraft. DEP provides safety through redundancy for passengers or cargo. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. The lift-plus-cruise aircraft has no tilting components when transitioning between vertical and forward flight which increases safety by reducing complexity. The tricycle gear also allow the aircraft to land conventionally on a runway or road in emergencies.

Related Aircraft:

• Auburn University Hexa-Chakra Personal Air Vehicle (concept design)
• Auburn University LPC-02 DUeVTOL (concept design)
• Auburn University LPC-03 Phoenix (concept design)
• Auburn University TW-01 Minokawa (concept design)
• Auburn University TW-02 Pangolin (concept design)
• Auburn University VT-02 Sevak (concept design)

Company Insights:

• Crunchbase
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Resources:

• Vehicle Systems, Dynamics and Design Laboratory, Auburn University website
• Vehicle Systems, Dynamics and Design Laboratory (eVTOL aircraft list), Auburn University website
• Vehicle Systems, Dynamics and Design Laboratory, Auburn University Facebook
• Vehicle Systems, Dynamics and Design Laboratory, Auburn University Twitter
• Vehicle Systems, Dynamics and Design Laboratory, Auburn University YouTube Channel
• Imon Chakraborty LinkedIn
• Auburn University website
• Video: VSDDL - Meet the Crew (Dec 2020), Vehicle Systems, Dynamics, and Design Laboratory, Dec. 14, 2020
• Article: Aerospace faculty member part of six Air Force Agility Prime awards, Auburn University, Apr. 30, 2021