Transition Control Planning and Optimization for a Boxed-wing eVTOL Tiltrotor Vehicle using Trim Analysis

Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) is a rapidly growing research field with immense potential for its applications in urban air mobility (UAM). One particular type of eVTOL, the Tiltrotor, stands out for its ability to switch between helicopter and fixed-wing modes during the transition flight period. During this phase, the direction of the propulsion system thrust is adjusted, causing a change in the aircraft’s shape. Proper tilt angle control is crucial for ensuring stable transition flight, as it is influenced by both the propulsion system and aerodynamics. In this study, we employ trim analysis to identify the tilt corridor and formulate a tilt angle control strategy. The flight performance of the Tiltrotor is then evaluated through simulations that utilize optimization algorithms such as Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) to find the optimal values of parameters related to the transition flight.Our approach provides valuable insights into the impact of tilt angle control on the stability and efficiency of Tiltrotor eVTOLs during transition flight.