Advanced Propeller Control Technology for eVTOL Aircraft

Investigators at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China have proposed a new rotational speed feedback compensation control scheme based on Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) for variable-pitch propellers in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This scheme integrates propeller speed into the heading control inner loop and employs a state observer to process the measured speed. The research aims to address heading instability in eVTOL aircraft at low speeds and large pitch angles.

Key Takeaways:

• The proposed control scheme reduces yaw angle oscillation amplitudes by 22.2%, 30.6%, and 37.8%, and yaw angular velocity fluctuations by 32.5%, 43.4%, and 33.3%, respectively, compared to a basic speed feedback scheme.
• Experimental bench tests validate that the proposed strategy enhances overall propeller force efficiency from 2.479 kg/kW to 3.05 kg/kW at 120 km/h cruise, resulting in a power saving of 0.48 kW and extending the cruising range by 8.5 km.
• The proposed method has been rigorously validated through both simulation and experimental testing, demonstrating superior stability and energy efficiency compared to conventional control schemes.
• The research team includes Zhaoyang Li, Xijun Liu, Hao Zhao, Houlong Ai, Zelin Chen, and Yuehong Dai from the Civil Aviation Flight University of China.
• The study was financially supported by the Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Civil Aviation Flight Technology and Flight Safety.
• The proposed control scheme has the potential to improve the performance and stability of eVTOL aircraft, enabling safer and more efficient flight operations.

Statistics:

• 22.2% reduction in yaw angle oscillation amplitude under dynamic propeller speed variations of 0.5%
• 30.6% reduction in yaw angle oscillation amplitude under dynamic propeller speed variations of 1%
• 37.8% reduction in yaw angle oscillation amplitude under dynamic propeller speed variations of 2%
• 32.5% reduction in yaw angular velocity fluctuations under dynamic propeller speed variations of 0.5%
• 43.4% reduction in yaw angular velocity fluctuations under dynamic propeller speed variations of 1%
• 33.3% reduction in yaw angular velocity fluctuations under dynamic propeller speed variations of 2%
• Power saving of 0.48 kW with the proposed control scheme
• Extension of cruising range by 8.5 km with the proposed control scheme

Sources:

• VerticalNews
• Journal of Engineering
• Research On Variable Pitch Propeller Control Technology of Evtol Based On Adrc. Electronics, 2025;14(18).
• Mdpi, St Alban-Anlage 66, Ch-4052 Basel, Switzerland
• Zhaoyang Li, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Chengdu 610000, People's Republic of China