Multidisciplinary Systems Analysis of a Six Passenger Quadrotor Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Powertrain

There is a high degree of research interest in the design space for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, because these vehicles are seen as key enablers for urban air mobility. This work further explores the eVTOL design space, by presenting an analysis of a six-passenger eVTOL quadrotor powertrain, with integrated power, propulsion, and thermal management systems modeled using the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) and the NPSS Power System Library. Four powertrain architectures are modeled at the same design point and compared over a design mission. Results from an architecture trade study show that a hybrid architecture performs best in terms of range, however, the hybrid needs batteries with high specific energy and specific power in order to obtain a benefit over turboelectric architectures. Parameteric sensitivity studies are conducted to determine correlations between component parameters and system metrics. This data provides useful indicators for further technological improvement. Lastly an initial TMS model is presented, and sensitivity studies on TMS design parameters are presented as well, to show high level TMS design trends.