How strictly does it need to maintain angular velocity as it goes around?
What would the maximum speed in still air be? Some fraction of the rotor tip speed?
Does the tilt-wing configuration (presumably for landing and perhaps takeoff) set the constraint on payload mass fraction, as that will require more structure than the tension-stabilized rotary mode? Or is the payload mass fraction relatively insignificant compared to the battery and solar cell mass?
Safety: is there a way for it to gracefully fail? Transition from 4 blades to 3, and let the failed one dangle down as you descend? Would this be even remotely possible?
In steady wind, it needs to spin faster to maintain its wind robustness, which does consume more power... but that's common to all aircraft. Generally speaking, the it is robust to wind gust velocity about 25-30% of the wing speed.
It's more important that each wing maintain equal spacing between one another. But the angular rate of the entire system can be adjusted to accommodate the current operating condition.
I've evaluated models that can travel at 68 knots. Not terribly fast, but the intended application is to stay in one spot for as long as possible.
The tilt-wing configuration is actually dated. The L/D ratios of the wing would require the motors to be excessively oversized for takeoff and landing only. The design has been revised to have a single motor on the outboard section, and the system begins its rotation while on the ground prior to takeoff.
With three rotors it is still possible to stabilize the central hub, assuming the three can support the additional weight of the lost rotor arm. And with my controls background, I can't wait until I have more time to investigate this failure mode mitigation option!
How strictly does it need to maintain angular velocity as it goes around?
What would the maximum speed in still air be? Some fraction of the rotor tip speed?
Does the tilt-wing configuration (presumably for landing and perhaps takeoff) set the constraint on payload mass fraction, as that will require more structure than the tension-stabilized rotary mode? Or is the payload mass fraction relatively insignificant compared to the battery and solar cell mass?
Safety: is there a way for it to gracefully fail? Transition from 4 blades to 3, and let the failed one dangle down as you descend? Would this be even remotely possible?