Russia successfully tested a prototype of a self-propelled flying car that takes off vertically

Tram Ho

Personal flying devices are attracting the attention of many researchers around the world. Recently, Russia’s Foundation of Advanced Research flew a small prototype for the VTOL Cyclopcar. While this prototype weighs only 60kg, the complete Cyclopcar flying car is capable of carrying up to six people. Unlike conventional vertical take-off aircraft, the Cyclopcar uses a recirculating propeller system.

This recirculation propulsion system has appeared in the Austrian Cyclotech before. Its principle is to place a number of propellers that can change the angle of inclination into the rotation axis of the motor. Each blade can change its pitch continuously as the engine shaft is rotating, meaning the aircraft can direct its thrust almost instantaneously within 360 degrees without changing the engine’s rotational speed. .

Nga thử nghiệm thành công nguyên mẫu ô tô bay tự hành cất cánh thẳng đứng - Ảnh 1.

Small size prototype introduced last year

While this recirculating propulsion system turns out to be an excellent solution for gasoline-powered vertical take-offs, the Russian researchers plan to incorporate it in a hybrid system of electric propulsion and propulsion. internal combustion. As a result, the six-seater is capable of flying at a speed of 250 km/h – although this is a bit slower than drones with lifts or multistage thrusters, but this drawback can be compensated by its operating range.

Thanks to the high energy efficiency of the combination of internal combustion engine and electric motor, this flying device can reach a range of 500 km. The final design for the electric motor has yet to be decided, but it will be produced in Russia and will be available as either a rotary shaft or a turbine shaft. The propulsion engine box has a large diameter of up to 1.5m and is capable of carrying up to 6 people, equivalent to a load of 600kg. The drone is also capable of self-propelled or remote control. The rear is also designed to be more comfortable so that people with disabilities as well as physical goods can load this device more easily.

The development team also studied the angles and intricacies of propulsion systems for small drone prototypes like the one in the video above, with the largest weighing around 60kg. The video also shows the drone demonstrating its ability to take off vertically even while parked on an inclined plane, which means it is fully capable of landing in tight spaces.

Video testing the take-off ability of the cyclic propulsion on Cyclopcar VTOL.

In a press release, project team leader Yan Chibisov acknowledged that, although the recirculation propulsion system is aerodynamically complex, it is relatively quiet, compact and enclosed in a dynamic cage. engine to avoid colliding with surrounding objects, while still providing great thrust for high speed.

Chibisov said that the initial test in conjunction with the Novosibirsk Institute of Thermal Physics confirmed the calculations of energy and thrust of the engine in this flying device. So he is confident that the system can be put on a plane within the next three years.

A fully battery-powered prototype is expected to be flown in 2022 and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Cyclocar then. It can be commercialized even though the price may not be cheap at all. However, test videos show it to have started out as a military project, before expanding to other purposes.

Refer to the New Atlas

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Source : Genk