Aerodynamics Theories and Flight Performance Estimation of eVTOL Aircraft

Seminar

Add to Calendar

Date

12 Oct 2023
Organiser

Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering
Time

14:30 - 15:30
Venue

HJ302 Map

Enquiry

Summary

Abstract

Urban Air Mobility (UAM), which are highly convenient means of transportation to relieve traffic congestion in urban areas, has been attracting a great deal of attention worldwide. The advantages of eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft as a means of airborne transportation, such as rapid mobility, zero emissions, and low noise, have attracted much attention. Since the middle of 2010s, various research and development efforts related to eVTOL aircraft have been conducted. The eVTOL aircraft are classified into three types for civil aviation, multicopter type, lift & cruise type, and vectored thrust type. The author has developed a synthesis theory based on the theories of rotorcraft and fixed wing to estimate the eVTOL aircrafts, which commonly adopt multiple rotors for vertical flight, and propeller and wing for forward flight. This study investigates flight performance of driving motor, rotor, and airframe at hovering, climb and descent, and forward flight. Specifications of the electric propulsion system are defined to match the propeller or rotor in order to satisfy the flight mission.

Speaker

Prof. Zhong Lei received his Bachelor degree from the Department of Engineering Mechanics, Chengdu University of Science and Technology in 1991, Master degree from the Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China in 1994, and PhD degree from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, the University of Tokyo in 1998. He joined the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 1999. He engaged in the research and development of the next generation of supersonic transport. He participated in several aircraft development projects, including cooperation in the development phase of a regional transport. In 2009, he joined the Department of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Suwa Tokyo University of Science
His main research work includes supersonic aircraft design, research and development of high-altitude long-endurance solar powered UAV, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle design, optimization design of electrically-driving motors for aviation, heat transfer and cooling device development, wind power generation, nano-fluid technology, cultivation technology, etc. He has published more than one hundred articles in academic journals, academic conferences and news media, and many patents. He is serving as editor and reviewer for several journals, and organized and chaired many conferences.