Efficiency
The new developed, patented technology, Gyrotrak platform is an efficient UAV carrier system for the commercial market, which redefines the limits of commercial drone applications. The hybrid platform combines well-known technologies from man-carrying aviation in an innovative way to address previously unfulfilled UAV market requirements like longer flight times, longer ranges and higher payloads, coupled with strong safety principles. Up to 22m/s (80km/h | 50mph), Gyrotrak has the lowest energy consumption when compared to multi-rotors, helicopters or VTOL aircraft.
| VTOL Fixed-wing | Multicopter | Helicopter | GYROTRAK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hovering Power | Very high disk load, mainly for take off and landing (5–6 gr/W) | High disk, many small rotors (6–8 gr/W) | High disk load, increased stability (6–8 gr/W) | Low disk load, low Reynold no. Asymmetrical profile (14–18 gr/W) |
| Cruising Power | Very low energy consumption, even at high speed | High crusing energy consumption, very high drag | High cruising energy consumption, relative to speed, decreasing cca 25% | Good energy consumption up to moderate speed (150–160 km/h) |
| High Cruising Speed | Fast, if the hovering system has good aerodynamic shape | Very slow, tilting body and tilting blades | Slow, limited body tilt | Fast, aerodynamic shape, high efficiency traction system |
| Low Cruising Speed | Limited time low cruise, high stall speed | Good low speed performance | Good low speed performance | Good low speed performance, low autorotation speed (13 m/sec) |
| Flying platform weight | Very high, complex system, big surface areas | Very low, simple system | High, complex mechanical parts | Low, simple system |
| System complexity | High (aircraft and multicopter compexity) | Low | Very High (complex mechanical components, and tail rotor system) | Low (no tail rotor, simple propulsion) |
| Manueverability | Low | High | High | High, due to stored energy during manuevers |
| Heavy fuel operation | Yes, but complex. Aux generator system needed | N/A | Yes, with commercial engine | Yes, using commercial engines or tipjet |
| Maintenance | Very high cost, high integration | Simple, but all components integrated into the center unit | Very high cost, high integration | Simple, easily interchangable main components. Single unit gearbox |
| Transportation | Very high costs, special box for wings | Easy, when arms are removable | Easy, folding rotors | Easy, folding rotors, and quick connect components (incl. Tail) |
| MTOW/Payload rate | Very low (high empty weight) | Moderate (high energy consumption) | Low (high energy consumption, heavy airframe) | High (light airframe, good efficiency) |
| Airframe Cost | High, expensive carbonfibre structure, complex integration | Low, simple systems and materials | High, complex mechanical parts, tail rotor, difficult assembly | Low, simple systems and materials |
Modularity
Gyrotrak combines the technical advantages of the helicopter and gyrocopter worlds and is also characterized by its diverse, modular structure — ideal for the commercial market, where the different fields of application require a UAV system that can be optimized precisely to the purpose required. Modularity is demonstrated not only in the basic construction of the UAV but in its ability to install different sizes of battery pack and use the remaining part of the MTOW for the task load.
Autorotation
The autorotation principle of the main rotor, known from gyrocopters, not only ensures that the new Gyrotrak platform uses very little energy in forward flight and has high flight stability, but also that the UAV can still land safely even if all motors should fail offering a glide ratio of up to 1:13. At the same time, the new hybrid solution has the positive characteristics of a helicopter, such as vertical take-off and landing in a small area, the possibility of backward flight, or hovering on the spot and the high lift capacity but without the continuous high drive power required for forward flight.
Based on research
The Gyrotrak platform is based on systematic and intensive research, design and test work.
Airial Robotics believes that this new concept has the potential and opportunity to positively change and enhance commercial operations and operational safety in many commercial sectors, as well its ability to contribute to humanitarian, disaster relief and other important areas in today’s developing world.