Portland-based Flight Kinetics has introduced an innovative high-lift technology, called PropWings, designed to significantly reduce battery energy consumption for electric and hybrid-electric eVTOL tiltrotor and tilt-wing aircraft, whether piloted or autonomous.
“With patents pending, this new technology promises to substantially increase flight range, payload capacity, and safety, while reducing operational costs, by using previously wasted energy to amplify lift,” said the company in a press statement. “PropWings harnesses propeller slipstream to generate increased lift. By using this available energy source, the technology enables eVTOL aircraft to more rapidly transition to horizontal flight and generate lift from their main wings, fixed or tiltable, once the rotors have initiated vertical take-off. Since main wing forward flight is more energy-efficient than helicopter rotor forward flight, accelerating the transition phase results in significant energy savings. And PropWings keeps generating lift during cruise flight, providing continuous battery energy conservation.”
“The very large power demand required for vertical take-off and transition to forward flight is a major challenge for eVTOL viability,” said Lester Erlston, founder of Flight Kinetics, Inc. and inventor of the PropWings technology. “Our propulsive lift technology doesn’t eliminate the power demand, but it provides a significant energy offset by speeding-up the transition to more efficient main wing lift. As a result, PropWings conserves substantial battery energy in both the transition and cruise phases, which is essential for extended range and operational capability.”
The technology can deliver further advantages in cruise efficiency, according to the company. “Since PropWings effectively increases the main wing’s wingspan, it can reduce induced drag to save energy during cruise. Simultaneously, it can potentially reduce rotational energy in the propeller-wash swirl, increasing propulsive efficiency. The technology is primarily intended for eVTOL aircraft and can be integrated into and is compatible with new aircraft designs or adapted to existing designs. Its simplicity and efficiency are key selling points, offering competitive advantages to aircraft producers and operators that adopt the technology.
Flight Kinetics, Inc. is now engaging with eVTOL manufacturers and investors to bring PropWings to market. The company is seeking strategic partners who share a vision for a more sustainable and efficient future of flight, offering opportunities for collaboration in the testing and development phases.
For more information