System and method for the autonomous transition of an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
AssigneeBeta Air, LLC
InventorsJoshua E. Auerbach, Nicholas Moy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for autonomous flight of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The system may include a pusher component, a lift component, a flight controller, and a pilot override switch. The pusher component is mechanically coupled to the eVTOL aircraft. The lift component is mechanically coupled to the eVTOL aircraft. The flight controller is communicatively connected to the pilot override switch. The flight controller is configured to identify a transition point, initiate operation of the pusher component, and terminate operation of the lift component. A method for flight control of an eVTOL aircraft is also provided.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- an electric propulsion assembly attached to an electric aircraft;
- a pilot override configured to alter control of the electric aircraft;
- and
- a flight controller communicatively connected to the pilot override, wherein the flight controller is configured to:
- initiate autonomous flight of the electric aircraft;
- control the electric propulsion assembly while the electric propulsion assembly produces thrust during the autonomous flight;
- adjust an attitude of the electric aircraft by modulating at least one of the electric propulsion assembly or a control surface;
- and
- receive a pilot override signal from the pilot override, wherein the pilot override signal transitions the electric aircraft from the autonomous flight to control by a pilot.
A method comprising:
- initiating, by a flight controller incorporated in an electric aircraft, autonomous flight of the electric aircraft;
- controlling, by the flight controller, an electric propulsion assembly attached to the electric aircraft while the electric propulsion assembly produces thrust during the autonomous flight;
- adjusting, by the flight controller, an attitude of the electric aircraft by modulating at least one of the electric propulsion assembly or a control surface;
- and
- receiving, by the flight controller, a pilot override signal from a pilot override switch, wherein the pilot override signal transitions the electric aircraft from the autonomous flight to control by a pilot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.