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CycloTech D-Dalus (concept design)

CycloTech D-Dalus passenger hybrid-electric VTOL concept design aircraft. Originally designed by the defunct IAT21 company which was the predecessor to CycloTech.

 

D-Dalus (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 cyclogyro technology. (Image credit: CycloTech)

CycloRotor
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

D-Dalus passenger hybrid-electric VTOL concept design aircraft
The D-Dalus is four place hybrid-electric VTOL concept design aircraft that uses CycloRotors for its propulsion. The aircraft uses a canopy over the cockpit providing excellent views for its passengers. The aircraft holds one pilot and three passengers or if the aircraft has autonomous piloting, the aircraft will hold four passengers. The name of the aircraft is from the tragic Greek mythological figure Daedalus who lost his Icarus when his wings melted due to flying too close to the sun. This aircraft was designed and developed by IAT21 which was the predecessor to CycloTech. IAT21 is no longer in business.

The concept design aircraft uses four CycloRotors for propulsion of the aircraft in all directions. Two CycloRotors are on either side and in the front of and perpendicular to the fuselage. The other two CycloRotors are at the rear of and perpendicular to the fuselage. The original design had the CycloRotors mechanically linked to the power source but the aircraft can be easily modified to use electric motors to power the CycloRotors. By the time this concept design was drawn, we believe the aircraft had a hybrid-electric power source.

At the time the aircraft was designed, the IAT21 stated the aircraft would be able to launch vertically, rotate, flip, hover and conduct manoeuvres that are impossible for fixed wing aircraft, helicopter or multicopter UAVs. The aircraft was also expected to perform extremely well in gusty wind conditions and can land on small moving platforms, such as a ship that is rolling in open rough seas.

D-Dalus side view

D-Dalus side view

D-Dalus elevated three-quarter view

D-Dalus elevated three-quarter view

D-Dalus top view

D-Dalus top view

Specifications:

  • Aircraft type: Passenger hybrid-electric VTOL concept design aircraft
  • Piloting: 1 pilot
  • Capacity: 3 passengers (if autonomous piloting, then 4 passengers)
  • Cruise speed: Unknown
  • Maximum payload weight: 100 kg (220 lb)
  • Propellers: 4 CycloRotors
  • Electric motors: 4 electric motors
  • Power source: Hybrid-electric power source
  • Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
  • Window: Canopy over cockpit for excellent views for the passengers
  • Wings: 1 box wing
  • Tail: 1 horizontal stabilizer
  • Landing gear: Retractable tricycle strut landing gear
  • Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers (or ducted fans) and motors on the aircraft so if one or more propellers (ducted fans) or motors fail, the other working propellers (or ducted fans) 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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