EDEA Mechatronics

New concepts for Urban Air Mobility.

In 2018 EDEA Mechatronics was founded with the aim to create new concepts for Urban Air Mobility. This new segment originated from my personal background as pilot and my high affinity for aviation.

My focus lies on creating a drive system for a VTOL-device (Vertical Take-Off and Landing). For the developed hybrid propulsion the patent is claimed and the design is protected.

In the beginning of 2020 I was invited to present my concept for a VTOL-device at the GoFly Challenge in San Francisco. Below you can view the three different concepts I delivered.

Concept 3 is the one I am currently working on. The goal is to create a working and proven system that others can use for their designs.

EDEA 22/1 “Jay“ (concept only)

“Jay” is a hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) concept. It is a small passenger vehicle with two seats able to takeoff and land in driveways or on landing pads.

Mass: ~ 550kg

Power train:

• Hybrid

• Gas turbine - Hydraulic pump (axial piston) - Hydraulic motors (vane)

Features:

• Propellers shrouded and counter rotation Dm app. 1200 – 1300 mm

• Design is fixed wing and tiltable rotors

• Rear rotor could be tilted app. 90° in forward flight

• Main lifting rotors also able to tilt, are headed outward and forward in direction in hoover mode, will be aligned to the wing shape in forward flight

• Seagull wing provides the craft with good low velocity flying capabilities

• Combination of main landing gear pitch elevator and aileron rudder

• Organic driven design and shape

• Intellectual Property Rights in progress

More information

EDEA 22/2 “Squid“ (concept with scale 1:8 prototype, till today not flyable)

“Squid” is a hybrid-electric VTOL concept. It is powered by fuel cells to generate electricity to power the electric motors for its counter-rotating fans. Fuels cells provide the aircraft with no emissions. The design is based on the U.S. based Hiller Flying Platform.

Power train:

Fuel cell - Battery/Capacitor - Torque motors 

Features:

• Propellers ducted and counter rotating Dm app. 2400 mm.

• Steering: Pitch and yaw-Airflow manipulation by flaps Gear Motor speed and Airflow manipulation by flaps. The principle of the steering has to be investigated and proven.

• Radiation of the waste heat from the FC and the motors will be cooled down with radiator, inside the outer rotor duct. In this case the induced resistance of the rotors can make a positive impact for the overall system. The heat transfer will be done by integrated aluminum fin tubes, commonly used in heat exchangers. 

• The approach was to create as much lift to a given space.

• It is not designed to put a seat and a person on it. But it would make sense to add a tether hook or winch below it.

Obstacles:

Right now the configuration will not work, because the used fuel cells are to heavy. I am in contact with a supplier which produces a very promising product.

More information

EDEA 22/3 “Kamino” (concept only, engine building in progress)

“Kamino” is a concept for a one passenger quadcopter hybrid-electric personal air vehicle. The estimated speed of the aircraft in 111-148 km/h (69-92 mph) with a cruise altitude of 2,000 m (6,562 feet). The estimated range of the aircraft is 97 km (60 miles) traveling at a maximum speed of 111 km/h (69 mph).

Decisions:

• Main focus on engine

• Try to create a drive pod

• Create a working and proven system that others can use for their designs

Power train:

• Hybrid, parallel geared

• BLDC Motors and rotary engine

• Design point 30 - 40 KW each rotor unit

Features:

• Highly redundant: Systems back up each other (geared, with clutches, freerunner)

• Higher endurance due to a fossil fuel source for level flight (biofuel only)

• Quadcopter

• Hooverbike

• In its neutral position the rotors are tilted some degrees outward, to stabilize the craft in hoover

• Organic driven design and shape

• Intellectual Property Rights in progress

More information