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CycloTech Air Taxi V2 (concept design)

CycloTech Air Taxi V2 passenger multi-power source VTOL concept design aircraft

 

Air Taxi V2 (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 V2 passenger multiple power source VTOL concept design aircraft
The CycloTech Air Taxi V2 is passenger multiple power source VTOL concept design aircraft. 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 number of passengers has not been specified for this concept design aircraft; however, it looks like a two passenger aircraft. This is because a canopy over a cockpit is usually used for a one or two passenger aircraft. The aircraft could be manually piloted, remotely piloted, use autopilot piloting or use autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) piloting.

The calculated predicted maximum speed of the aircraft would ~124 mph (~200 km/h). This maximum predicted speed for the aircraft is based on a pounds of thrust to horsepower formula for an aircraft which is: [HP=(T*V)/375. HP = Horsepower, T = Thrust, V = Velocity] to determine miles per hour (mph) speed. The estimated range of the aircraft is 85 km (53 m) and the flight time is 40 minutes. The anticipated empty weight of the aircraft is 1800 kg (3,970 lb). with a maximum payload weight of 400 kg (880 lb) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,200 kg (4,850 lb).

The aircraft has eight CycloRotors, powered by eight electric motors, has a rear vertical stabilizer and there is no visible fixed skid landing gear. With this many CycloRotors on the aircraft, the company has asserted the aircraft will be able to withstand crosswinds up to 20 meters per second (mps) or 65 feet per second (fps). The fuselage would be made from carbon fiber composite material to give the VTOL aircraft a high strength and low weight ratio. The length of the aircraft is expected to be 7 m (~23 ft) and will have an approximate width of 5 m (~16.5 ft).

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: Passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft
  • Piloting: Manual, remote or autonomous piloting
  • Capacity: 2 passengers (possibly)
  • Maximum speed: ~124 mph
  • Range: 85 km (53 m)
  • Flight time: 40 minutes
  • Empty weight: 1800 kg (3,970 lb)
  • Maximum payload weight: 400 kg (880 lb)
  • Maximum takeoff weight: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb)
  • Propellers: 8 CycloRotors
  • Electric motors: 8 electric motors
  • Power source: Batteries (the aircraft has the option for other power sources)
  • Maximum hover thrust: 30,000 N (6,744 lb)
  • Maximum drive power: 1,660 kW (2,226 hp)
  • Batteries: 760 kg @ 230 Wh/kg (1,676 lb @ 230 Wh/lb)
  • Rotor dimensions: 100 x 120 cm (39 in x 47 in)
  • Rotation speed: 1,600 rpm
  • Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
  • Length: 7 m (~23 ft)
  • Width: 5 m (~16.5 ft)
  • Window: Canopy over cockpit
  • Tail: 1 vertical stabilizer
  • Landing gear: Unknown
  • 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.

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