The fascinating CycloTech eVTOL prototype has taken its first flight tests, running its paddle steamer-style "Cyclogiro" propulsion system, which offers some interesting advantages over typical multirotor-style designs.
The Cyclogiro system uses Voith-Schneider propellers instead of rotors, effectively packaging its propulsion systems as fast-spinning barrels. Each barrel has a number of variable-pitch blades around it, and the pitch of those blades varies constantly as the barrel spins. That allows the flight control software on these things to vector thrust very quickly in 360 degrees at each barrel, without having to speed up or slow down the rotation.
Like regular rotors with variable-pitch blades, this means an aircraft that flies on these things can operate on a range of different fuel systems, including fossil fuels that can't deliver instant torque like electric motors can. Unlike variable-pitch rotors, this system can also point thrust straight downwards, forwards, backwards or anywhere in between; this is the system you want if you need to fly in a vertical orientation or upside down.
Russia's Foundation for Advanced Research has already flown a 60 kg (132 lb) prototype of a Cyclogiro VTOL aircraft, which it intends to develop into a long-range, hybrid 6-seater. Now CycloTech has followed up with the first flight video of its 83 kg (183 lb) technology demonstrator platform.
The aircraft, based on a 4-barrel design intended to mimic the dynamics it will be pursuing with a future 5-seat air taxi model, is shown in a tethered indoor takeoff, hover and land test. It seems to be pretty stable – unsurprising given the lack of wind – and the team has left the sound on so we can hear the noise profile, even if it is drowned out somewhat by some very exciting bleepy, bloopy music. As is tradition for promotional videos of otherwise rather unexciting technical tests.
We're still waiting to learn how this system performs in terms of thrust and efficiency.
Enjoy the video below.
Source: CycloTech
Perhaps a rotating frame for the motors could create a cool UFO!
Also, insofar as it's a variable pitch system, I wonder if it's capable of autorotation?
Being more efficient than multicopters though i doubt. However it would be great if they make them commercially just like conventional hexas and quads will become mainstream.
Now all we need is that 1000 mile super cap !
Additionally, it has the HUGE potential to be slowed and even (with some novel engineering) reversed... this means you could use this technology to fly subsonic...transonic..supersonic..with the right profiles.. Just as interesting: The ability to slow the blades uniformly, relative to forward flight, means aircraft using this lift method can extend it's altitude while staying within it's stall window. I have followed this method for a couple decades now..and have wondered why it has not been exploited. Those guys in France (maybe it's Germany or Austria, I forget) were doing this 10 years ago. I suppose that motor control has come a LOoooooong way in the past 20 years. God bless Arduino!
No it actually sounds very pleasant on the ear, watch the video.
Talk positive... it will be efficient enough...we want this concept to become a commercial reality !
i was very sceptic at first back when they released information on it, but now that i've seen it fly... i am getting more hooked on this concept that i ever thought i'd be !
They will work to optimize efficiency, batteries/fuel cells/supercaps will only get better as well.
I want to see this concept become reality.
@Clay
Now THATS the spirit...it seems like you are just as excited than I about this concept, i too see the vast potential you are talking about !
I hope we hear more of this soon !