System and method for airspeed estimation utilizing propulsor data in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
A system for airspeed estimation utilizing propulsor data in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is provided. The system generally comprises at least a propulsor, at least one sensor and a flight controller. The at least a propulsor is mechanically coupled to a body of an eVTOL aircraft, wherein the at least a propulsor is configured to propel the eVTOL aircraft. The at least one sensor is configured to detect a torque of the at least a propulsor, and transmit the torque of the at least a propulsor. The flight controller is configured to receive the torque of the at least a propulsor and determine an airspeed of the eVTOL aircraft as a function of the torque of the at least a propulsor. A method for airspeed estimation utilizing propulsor data in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is also provided.
1. A system for airspeed estimation utilizing propulsor data in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the system comprising:
at least a propulsor mechanically coupled to a body of an eVTOL aircraft, wherein the at least a propulsor is configured to propel the eVTOL aircraft;
at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to:
detect a torque of the at least a propulsor; and
transmit the torque of the at least a propulsor; and
a flight controller, wherein the flight controller is configured to:
receive the torque of the at least a propulsor; and
determine an airspeed of the eVTOL aircraft using a propulsor aerodynamic model as a function of the torque of the at least a propulsor.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a propulsor comprises a blade arrangement.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the current of the at least a propulsor is measured.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a current sensor.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the current sensor comprises a load cell.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is further configured to:
detect a speed of the at least a propulsor; and
transmit the speed of the at least a propulsor; and the
flight controller is further configured to:
receive the speed of the at least a propulsor; and
determine the airspeed of the eVTOL aircraft as a function of the speed of the at least a propulsor and the torque of the at least a propulsor.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the speed of the at least a propulsor is measured in revolutions per unit time.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a speed sensor.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the speed sensor is configured to detect a rotational speed of the at least a propulsor.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flight controller is configured to determine the airspeed of the eVTOL aircraft by using a propulsor aerodynamic model comprising performance parameters including environmental parameters, propulsor parameters, and the received torque of the at least propulsor.
11. A method for airspeed estimation utilizing propulsor data in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the method comprising:
providing at least a propulsor mechanically coupled to a body of an eVTOL aircraft, wherein the at least a propulsor is configured to propel the eVTOL aircraft;
detecting a torque of the at least a propulsor by using at least one sensor;
transmitting the torque of the at least a propulsor by using the at least one sensor;
receiving, by a flight controller, the torque of the at least a propulsor; and
determining, by the flight controller, an airspeed of the eVTOL aircraft using a propulsor aerodynamic model as a function of the torque of the at least a propulsor.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least a propulsor comprises a blade arrangement.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the current of the at least a propulsor is measured.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a current sensor.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the current sensor comprises a load cell.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises:
detecting a speed of the at least a propulsor by using the at least one sensor;
transmitting the speed of the at least a propulsor by using the at least one sensor;
receiving, by the flight controller, the speed of the at least a propulsor; and
determining, by the flight controller, the airspeed of the eVTOL aircraft as a function of the speed of the at least a propulsor and the torque of the at least a propulsor.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the speed of the at least a propulsor is measured in revolutions per unit time.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a speed sensor.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the speed sensor is configured to detect a rotational speed of the at least a propulsor.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the flight controller is configured to determine the airspeed of the eVTOL aircraft by using a propulsor aerodynamic model comprising performance parameters including environmental parameters, propulsor parameters, and the received torque of the at least propulsor.