Australia-based vertiport research development company, Skyportz, offers its IP at no fee to US companies.
In a bid to support companies in the US wanting to tap into the Trump initiative to dominate the global electric air taxi market, Skyportz is offering its IP for free to US companies.
Downwash, outwash and fire suppression
The company’s vertipad patent addresses two key challenges for the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) sector – the amelioration of downwash / outwash and fire suppression. Skyportz released a new iteration of its design created specifically for high-traffic environments earlier in June.
While the timelines for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles remains unclear, one thing is certain: their successful entry into service is dependent on infrastructure that is capable of supporting safe operations.
Downwash and outwash have been highlighted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in their Engineering Brief 105A published in January, which indicates that vertipads will need to have a wind safety zone beyond the landing surface. According to Skyportz CEO, Clem Newton-Brown, its patents “solves this major issues in a highly affordable product.”
Skyportz’ updated vertipad design features multiple height settings for the FATO landing surface and surrounds, as well as an adjustable blast screen. The new design enables airports to adjust the settings for particular aircraft types to maximise the downdraft amelioration features. As a result, reduced wind speeds mean smaller footprint requirements for safe operations, enabling multiple pads side by side.
Rapid response to battery thermal runaway incidents
Should a fire occur, Syportz’ patent enables vertiport operators to extinguish any battery fire quickly by immersing the aircraft and pad in water in a pit below the vertipad. All water is contained to prevent environmental contamination. Currently, the alternative would be to wait until the battery thermal runaway concludes, a situation which could impact airport operations if an airport has to close for a day or two.
Speaking about his offer for US companies, Newton-Brown said: “We are keen to be able to offer this patented vertipad solution to innovative companies in the US looking at introducing electric air taxis to their sites.”
He also noted that while there are some significant issues to address, his patent “solves the major issues in a highly affordable product.”
Newton-Brown concluded that while he intends to licence manufacturing and distribution of is vertipad into all global markets as they emerge, “for now we are excited at the prospect of developing our intellectual property in partnership with the US.”
Image source: Skyportz
