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Technoplane Mini-Bee Decacopter (concept design)

Mini-Bee Decacopter hybrid-electric VTOL two passenger multicopter concept design aircraft, top view

 

Mini-Bee Decacopter (concept design)
Technoplane
Moulines, Allier, France
www.mini-bee.com
www.technoplane.com

Based in France, Technoplane was founded in 2013 and is a data services and solution provider. In addition, Technoplane is also the coordinator of the aeronautical collaborative research and development team for hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) passenger and cargo aircraft. with multiple designs, all called the Mini-Bee. Technoplane is also developing several designs of a conventional takeoff and landing planes called the Beeplane.

The Mini-Bee collaborative project began in 2015 with a group of aviation enthusiasts, from multiple universities, sharing the common dream of creating hybrid-electric VTOL passenger aircraft to be efficient, safe, cost effective and practical for advanced air mobility (AAM). The team named their project Mini-Bee after the honeybee, which is known for its agility, efficiency and adaptability. In the beginning days, many sketches were drawn and standards were created. The name Mini-Bee is used for multiple unique VTOL aircraft designs that can look similar to or look completely different from each other.

The inventors presented their first mock-up of the Mini-Bee at the 2015 Paris Air Show in France. Initially, the Mini-Bee project was to study air transportation for individuals but then switched to air medical transportation. The inventors achieved a Level 1 technology readiness level (TRL1) in 2016. In the summer of 2017, the project team achieved a TRL2 with a subscale flying prototype and participated at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The subscale prototype was tested in a wind tunnel analyzing its aerodynamic properties and making adjustments to improve its performance. Also in 2017, the project team expanded to 15 universities and entered a TRL3 and had at least 10 industrial companies interested or participated in their research.

In 2018, the group made progress on the hybrid-electric configuration for their various aircraft and built a full-scale mock-up of one of their aircraft models. Overtime, the team grew with aeronautical engineers, designers, and experts in electric propulsion and energy management. The Mini-Bee team also showcased their aircraft at the 2019 Paris Air Show. In 2020, the inventors decided to make the Mini-Bee a modular design, allowing each aircraft model to fit into standard airliner cargo containers to make is easy to transport the aircraft to anywhere in the world. As of 2023, the inventors are continuing to make progress in design, flight tests and advanced simulation tools to improve the performance of each aircraft model in a wide range of weather and test conditions.

Timeline of Mini-Bee projects

  • 2015: Mock-ups drafted and designed, participated in the 2015 Paris Air Show
  • 2016: Detailed concept designs made, super structures designed, electronics and sensors integration started
  • 2017: Subscale model made and wind tunnel tested, participated in the 2017 Paris Air Show
  • 2018: Full scale prototype made
  • 2019: Continuation of working on multiple aircraft, participated in the 2019 Paris Air Show
  • 2020: Designed all aircraft models to be modular to make assembly easy and to make them easy to ship in airliner cargo containers to distribute them any place in the world
  • 2021-2023: The inventors continue to refine their designs and prototypes

The Mini-Bee Decacopter hybrid-electric VTOL passenger concept design aircraft
The Mini-Bee Decacopter is a hybrid-electric VTOL multicopter concept design aircraft that holds two (or four) passengers and has 10 propellers and 10 electric motors. The multicopter aircraft has one pilot who can fly manually or use autopilot technology. The inventors anticipate this multicopter could be made for either two or four people depending upon the customer's requirements. The pilot flies the aircraft with a steering wheel and a joystick in an enclosed cockpit. The cockpit has crash resistant bucket seats for each person.

The estimated cruise speed is 200 km/h (120 mph), has an approximate maximum speed of 234 km/h (145 mph) and has an expected range of 850 km (528 miles). The calculated empty weight of the aircraft is 750 kg (1,653 lb), a predicted maximum payload weight of 450 kg (992 lb) and has an anticipated maximum takeoff weight of 1,200 kg (2,646 lb). The aircraft has flight avionics, engine and motor monitoring, sensors and other electronic components.

The 10 pitched propellers and 10 electric motors are positioned above the cockpit attached to the ends, between, in front and in back of tandem wings. The multiple propellers will provide excellent lifting power and safety through redundancy. The power source consists of two Rotax 915 iS engine without a gearbox and four compact axial flux permanent magnet synchronous Emrax 208 twin hexaphase high-voltage electric motors. The power output for the hybrid-electric engine system is 105 kW mechanical for each engine. The multicopter will have fixed quadricycle landing gear. For safety, the aircraft will have a whole aircraft emergency parachute.

The inventors foresee the multicopter to be used for short range flights for personal use, humanitarian aid, a light air ambulance or used for other medical purposes.

Mini-Bee Decacopter side view

Mini-Bee Decacopter side view

Specifications:

  • Aircraft type: Hybrid-electric VTOL passenger multicopter concept design aircraft
  • Piloting: 1 pilot plus autopilot technology
  • Capacity: 1 passenger (or 3 passengers)
  • Cruise speed: 200 km/h (120 mph)
  • Maximum speed: 234 km/h (145 mph)
  • Range: 850 km (528 miles)
  • Empty weight: 750 kg (1,653 lb)
  • Maximum payload weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
  • Maximum takeoff weight: 1,200 kg (2,646 lb)
  • Propellers: 10 propellers (pitched propellers)
  • Electric motors: 10 electric motors
  • Power source: Hybrid-electric power source, 2 Rotax 915 iS engine without gearbox and 4 compact axial flux permanent magnet synchronous Emrax 208 twin hexaphase high-voltage electric motors
  • Maximum power: 105 kW mechanical
  • Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
  • Windows: Helicopter type windows for forward, left, right excellent views with a roof over your head
  • Wings: Tandem wings
  • Landing gear: Fixed quadricycle wheeled 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. There is a whole aircraft emergency parachute.

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Resources:


 

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