1. Illustration of Matrix increasing the length of its parallel and tangential fuselages.
An advantage of electric propulsion is that the rating of its power (kW) can be changed significantly without changing the hardware, but by just changing the batteries (voltage) only. This is very unlike turboprop or turbofan engines, where their power (thrust) cannot be changed significant by just changing the fuel, unless the physical components of the engines are changed.
This flexibility of electric propulsion gave rise to a conceptual design of an aircraft where the size of the aircraft can be increased significantly without changing the propulsion as the rating of the propulsion can be increased too by only changing its batteries. The most suitable fuselage design for such concept is H-fuselage, where there are 2 parallel fuselages that are physically connected with each other by a tangential fuselage. If all the 3 fuselages are telescopic, not only the length of the parallel fuselages can be increased, but so does the length of the tangential fuselage, and therefore, the separation of the fuselages.
"Matrix" is a telescopic H-fuselage quadcopter that can increase the length of its parallel fuselages and tangential fuselages respectively by telescopic mechanism. The aircraft have 3 size modes, S (small), M (medium) and L (large). The concept is called "Matrix" because it carries the meaning of a transformation from a smaller entity to a bigger and more complex entity.
2. Top view of Matrix: The S (small) mode.
In the S mode, there is no extension in the length of the parallel or tangential fuselages. In the M mode, there is the extension in length of the parallel fuselage via telescopic mechanism. This extension of the parallel fuselages increases 20% of the internal total volume of Matrix.
3. Top view of Matrix: The M (medium) mode.
In the L mode, the length of the tangential fuselage is telescopically increased. The increment adds another 10% of the internal volume of Matrix, totaling the increase in 30% of its internal volume when Matrix evolves from S mode to L mode, which is very significant.
4. Top view of Matrix: The L (large) mode.
The advantage of being in L mode is obvious, that is Matrix can carry more payloads. However, there are advantages of being in the S mode too, which is being more aerodynamic (due to smaller cross section frontal area) and more convenient for storage (due to smaller size), which both translate into being more economic.
5. Side view of Matrix: Matrix in S mode (Top) & M/L mode (bottom). Notice the front propellers are not at the same level and overlapping each other.
6. Front view of Matrix: Matrix in S mode (Top) & M/L mode (bottom). Notice the front propellers are not at the same level and overlapping each other.
Matrix is powered by 4 electric engines. There are 2 bigger engines installed vertically inside both the parallel fuselages behind the front row seats, each powering a bigger diameter 4 bladed propeller, and the are another 2 smaller engines at both rear-end of the parallel fuselages, each powering a smaller diameter 4 bladed ducted fan. The 2 front propellers are not at the same level and overlapping each other to increase the lift force by increasing the diameter. They are contra-rotating for torque cancellation. The propellers inside the 2 ducted fans are also contra-rotating to produce a zero value net torque for maximum flight stability.
7. Side view of Matrix: Notice the power-sliding doors (top) & the vertically installed front engines (bottom). Visible also are the seats and the cross section wall of the tangential fuselage, where a 2nd row of seats can be installed along the fuselage.
8. Economic long-seat such as in this photo can be fitted along the tangential fuselage.
Matrix rear doors for the passengers are power-sliding doors with door-size glass window. The passengers sit on individual seats or economic long-seat fitted along the tangential fuselage facing forward and viewing through very generous aerodynamic windows, which allow not only forward, but also downward view. In conventional fuselage aircrafts, such long-seat can only be fitted in such a way that will not allow the passengers to sit facing and viewing forward. Not only the passengers have generous view, they also have generous leg room in the tangential fuselage, as the concept for the passengers is "comfort & maximum visibility". As there are 2 parallel fuselages, and only 1 is for the pilot and co-pilot, there will also be 2 side-by-side seats with pilot-view for passengers in the other parallel fuselage.
9. The tangential fuselage of Matrix houses generous forward-view passenger seats with generous windows & leg room.
Both H-fuselage and telescopic fuselage are DNAs for my other H-fuselage and telescopic concepts respectively.
DISCLAIMER
Figure 8 is from a public website.
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