FLi Aero Suppression Technologies

In the design of eVTOL and other autonomous aerial vehicles, noise and vibration suppression is a crucial consideration for both passenger comfort and operational efficiency. Key components within the airframe and motor arms are specifically engineered to minimize these unwanted effects, ensuring a smoother and quieter flight experience. Here’s an overview of these critical components and technologies:

Function: Active vibration dampers are systems integrated into the airframe and motor arms to counteract vibrations generated by the propulsion system. These systems often use sensors to detect vibrations and actuators to produce counter-vibrations, effectively canceling them out.

Key Features:

• Real-Time Adjustment: Capable of adjusting damping forces in real-time based on detected vibration frequencies and amplitudes.
• Wide Frequency Range: Effective across a broad spectrum of vibration frequencies, ensuring comprehensive suppression.

Function: These mounts isolate the propulsion system and other vibrating components from the rest of the airframe. They absorb and dissipate energy, reducing the transmission of vibrations throughout the vehicle.

Key Features:

• Material Composition: Made from elastomeric or other damping materials that are specifically chosen for their vibration absorption properties.
• Custom Design: Tailored to the specific vibration profiles and weight loads of the vehicle components they support.

Function: Specially designed propellers and rotors reduce noise levels produced during flight. This is achieved through advanced aerodynamic shaping and materials that minimize air turbulence and mechanical noise.

Key Features:

• Aerodynamic Efficiency: Shapes and blade angles are optimized to reduce noise without sacrificing thrust and efficiency.
• Materials: Use of lightweight and noise-absorbing materials to further dampen sound.

Function: Soundproofing materials are incorporated within the airframe to block and absorb noise generated by the propulsion system and airflow.

Key Features:

• Multi-Layer Construction: Often composed of multiple layers, including sound-absorbing foam, vibration-damping sheets, and sound-blocking barriers.
• Lightweight Design: Engineered to provide effective soundproofing without significantly increasing the vehicle’s weight.

Function: Tuned mass dampers are devices that counteract specific frequencies of vibrations. They consist of a mass attached to a spring or damper and are tuned to the frequency of the vibrations they are meant to mitigate.

Key Features:

• Frequency Tuning: Precisely calibrated to target specific resonance frequencies of the airframe or motor arms.
• Compact and Integrated Design: Can be integrated into various parts of the airframe without occupying significant space.

Function: Active noise cancellation systems use microphones and speakers to reduce noise inside the cabin. These systems generate sound waves with the same amplitude but opposite phase to the noise, effectively canceling it out.

Key Features:

• Adaptive Algorithms: Continuously adjust to changes in noise levels and frequencies.
• High-Fidelity Speakers and Microphones: Ensure accurate noise detection and cancellation.

The integration of these noise and vibration suppression technologies into the airframe and motor arms of eVTOL and autonomous aerial vehicles is essential for enhancing passenger comfort, reducing noise pollution, and maintaining structural integrity. By combining active and passive methods, as well as innovative materials and design strategies, these critical components significantly improve the overall flight experience and operational efficiency of modern aircraft.