Volocopter has been granted a patent for a method to control aircraft with multiple drive units. By entering lateral control signals, the aircraft initiates lateral movement based on speed estimation and commanded angles. The patented method ensures a smooth transition between translatory and lateral movements. GlobalData’s report on Volocopter gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Volocopter, Photovoltaic drones was a key innovation area identified from patents. Volocopter's grant share as of May 2024 was 18%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Aircraft control method based on speed and lateral movement
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11989037B2) discloses a method for controlling an aircraft with multiple drive units and a flight control controller. The method involves entering lateral control signals into the controller to initiate lateral movement, ascertaining the aircraft's speed through airspeed estimation based on a commanded pitch angle and drag coefficient, and calculating a rate of turn based on the estimated airspeed and commanded roll angle. The lateral movement is automatically initiated with the calculated rate of turn, which is zero below a certain threshold speed, ensuring exclusively translatory movement.
Furthermore, the method includes adjusting the rate of turn for coordinated turning flight within specific airspeed thresholds to prevent exceeding the aircraft's permitted rate of turn threshold. The lateral movement is initiated with the calculated rate of turn when the airspeed exceeds the second threshold speed. The patent also covers a controller designed for flight control of an aircraft with multiple drive units, capable of receiving lateral control signals, ascertaining the aircraft's speed through speed estimation, calculating the rate of turn, and automatically initiating lateral movement based on the calculated rate of turn. The controller allows for manual input to adjust the rate of turn and does not require sensors for measuring speed. Additionally, the patent includes a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft equipped with the described controller and multiple electrical drive units connected to rotors arranged in a single plane.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
