EP3658460A1

EP3658460A1 - Ground handling facility and method for passenger-transporting aircraft

Info

Publication number: EP3658460A1
Application number: EP17746435.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alexander Zosel
Original assignee: Volocopter GmbH
Current assignee: Volocopter GmbH
Priority date: 2017-07-24
Filing date: 2017-07-24
Publication date: 2020-06-03
Also published as: CN110831861A; US20200130863A1; WO2019020158A1; US11066183B2

Abstract

What is proposed is a ground handling facility (1) for passenger-transporting aircraft (100), in particular vertical takeoff and landing multicopters, comprising: at least one first platform (2) which is designed as a landing platform (2) for a passenger-transporting aircraft (100), wherein a) the at least one first platform is simultaneously designed as a takeoff platform for a passenger-transporting aircraft (100), or b) wherein a second platform (3) is provided which is designed as a takeoff platform (3) for a passenger-transporting aircraft (100); at least one region (4) which is designed as weather protection for the passengers and the aircraft (100), in particular by provision of a canopy; and at least one conveying device (5.1; 5.2; 5.3) for the aircraft (100) that is designed to move the aircraft (100) from the landing platform (2) through the region (4) to the takeoff platform (3), in which region there is provided at least one station (6.1 - 6.4) which is configured for a predetermined interaction with the aircraft (100).

Description

Handling equipment and procedures for passengers carrying aircraft

description

The invention relates to a handling device for passengers carrying aircraft, in particular vertically-starting and landing multicopter.

Moreover, the invention relates to a building, in particular skyscraper, with at least one handling device according to the invention.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for dispatching passengers carrying aircraft, in particular vertically-launched and landing multicopters.

The applicant is a pioneer in the field of manned aviation with electrically driven multicopters. These are vertically take-off and landing aircraft, which have a large number of electrically driven rotors and are particularly easy and safe to fly. Automated flight operations (without pilot) are also possible without any problems. Such aircraft have the potential to revolutionize especially urban traffic in urban centers in the future and to counteract the threat of traffic collapse.

After the applicant has developed the first aircraft of the type mentioned to series maturity, now the task, which is also based on this invention, to provide a corresponding I infrastructure to make the practical use of said aircraft in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

I nspecially when a fast and smooth flight operation with a realistic passenger volume is to be ensured with a necessarily limited number of aircraft, there is a corresponding need for a suitable handling device for passengers carrying aircraft of the type mentioned so that they can be used as efficiently as possible. This object is achieved by the present invention by providing a handling device for passengers carrying aircraft with the features of claim 1, by creating a building with a dispatching device according to the invention according to claim 21 and by specifying a method for handling passengers carrying aircraft with the features of claim 25. Advantageous developments of the inventive idea are each the subject of U nteransprüchen.

An aircraft handling device according to the invention for carrying passengers, in particular vertically-launching and landing multicopters, comprises: at least one first platform designed as a landing platform for a passenger-carrying aircraft, wherein a) the at least one first platform also serves as a launch platform for a passenger-carrying aircraft is formed or b) at least one second platform is provided, which is designed as a launch platform for a passenger carrying aircraft; at least one area designed as weather protection for the passengers and the aircraft, in particular by providing a roof; at least one transport or conveying device for the aircraft, which is designed to move the aircraft from the landing platform through the area to the launch platform; in which area at least one station is provided, which is set up for a predetermined interaction with the aircraft.

In the case of the aircraft mentioned here, these are preferably and without limitation electrically driven multicopters. However, this includes all manned aircraft (which of course can also be flown unmanned if required). More specifically, the application may include all aircraft having the ability to start and land vertically, regardless of whether the propulsion is an electric drive, a combustion engine, a fuel cell, or the like. In general, in addition to the mentioned multicopters also helicopters or other embodiments, such. B. transforming aircraft (swing-wing aircraft, tilting rotor, flying cars, etc.). A building according to the invention, in particular skyscraper, is characterized by at least one handling device according to the invention, which handling device is preferably arranged on the roof or in the roof area of the building.

A method according to the invention for dispatching aircraft carrying passengers, in particular vertically-launched and landing multicopters, comprises: i) providing an aircraft on a first platform serving as a landing platform for a passenger-carrying aircraft; ii) transporting or conveying the aircraft from the landing platform in at least one area or to an area that serves as weather protection for the passengers and the aircraft, in particular by providing a cover, by means of at least one transport or conveying device for the aircraft; iii) conveying the aircraft by means of the at least one conveying device through the area in which area at at least one station a predetermined interaction with the aircraft takes place; iv) conveying the aircraft by means of the at least one conveyor device from the area to a launch platform for the aircraft

According to the invention, provision is made for making the handling of passengers carrying aircraft particularly efficient by moving (transporting or conveying) them from a landing platform to a launch platform, the aircraft passing through a certain area on the way from the landing platform to the launch platform, on the one hand as weather protection for the passengers and the aircraft is formed and in which on the other hand at least one station is provided, is acted upon on the aircraft or can be. Because the aircraft does not remain at the landing site (landing platform) after landing, but rather is brought into the said area, the landing platform is immediately available again for another aircraft in order to ensure the most efficient possible flight operations. The action on the aircraft at said station, which will be discussed in more detail below, takes place in the protected area, whereby on the one hand the aircraft is spared and on the other hand a considerable increase in comfort can be achieved for the passengers Aircraft in the protected area this is brought to the launch platform to subsequently transport passengers to a predetermined destination.

It can be provided in a first variant of the handling device according to the invention that a single physical platform also serves as a launch platform and landing platform. The aircraft is then moved away from the landing platform (into the protected area) and then returned from the protected area back to the same platform, which then acts as a launch platform. In this way, only a single take-off and landing platform needs to be held, which reduces the construction effort.

However, it is preferred that according to another variant of the handling device according to the invention serve two different platforms as a launch platform or landing platform. In this way, the timing of the flight operation can be increased because the landing platform is not temporarily blocked by a starting aircraft.

As already explained above, the protected area can thereby be formed as a protected area by providing a roofing. However, said area can also be completely closed off from the surroundings by providing side walls and optionally closable openings (doors) for introducing or deploying the aircraft in addition to a roofing.

Another development of the dispatching device according to the invention provides that the at least one station is designed in the manner of one of the stations listed below:

Removal station for removing at least one power supply unit of the aircraft, in particular an accumulator battery;

Insertion station for inserting at least one energy supply unit of the aircraft, in particular a storage battery;

Charging station for charging or filling at least one energy supply unit of the aircraft, in particular a battery or a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine (long extender); Boarding station for boarding passengers in the aircraft; Exit station for disembarking passengers from the aircraft; Invitation station for loading cargo into the aircraft;

Unloading station for unloading cargo from the aircraft;

Maintenance station for technical maintenance of the aircraft;

Ausschleusestation for discharging the aircraft from the conveyor;

Einschleusestation for introducing an aircraft in the conveyor.

In this way, the aircraft can be acted upon in various ways in the protected area.

Since the addressed multicopters are regularly electrically powered aircraft, a removal station for removing at least one energy supply unit of the aircraft is particularly preferably provided, which energy supply unit is regularly designed as a rechargeable battery. Possibly the aircraft has several such power supply units, so that according to the removal station also a plurality of such units can be removed. Accordingly, there is preferably at least one insertion station in order to be able to use fresh (fully charged) energy supply units in the aircraft instead of the removed energy supply units.

Additionally or alternatively, a charging station for charging or filling at least one power supply unit may be provided. In this context, it is possible, for example, to use rapid charging methods to charge the power supply unit directly at the aircraft while it is located in the protected area. If the aircraft has a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine (rank extender), it is also possible to fill up such power supply units with corresponding (liquid) fuel.

Furthermore, the dispatching device according to the invention may comprise at least one boarding station, which is designed to allow passengers to board the aircraft. Conversely, at least one exit station can be provided to allow passengers to get off the plane. device to allow. It is also possible within the scope of the invention that the passengers remain seated in the aircraft during transport, if, for example, only the power supply units have to be exchanged in order to increase the range of the aircraft.

Analogous to the boarding station or exit station, an invitation station or an unloading station for transported goods can also be provided. A possibly provided maintenance station is used for technical maintenance of the aircraft. In addition, the dispatching device may also include a discharge station for discharging the aircraft from the conveyor if it is damaged or for other reasons (temporarily) should no longer participate in flight operations. Correspondingly, an infeed station can also be provided in order to feed a (new) aircraft into the conveyor.

The discharged aircraft may be stored (parked or parked) in a particular area of the dispatch facility, for example, when no or limited flight operations are to be maintained at night. A removal or storage of the aircraft can be useful even in adverse weather conditions.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the handling device according to the invention provides that several stations of the type described above are provided in the protected area, which can be arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the conveying device. Preferably, in a particular embodiment of the handling device, there are at least one exit station and one boarding station, which can be flanked by at least one removal station and one insertion station.

It has been found to be particularly advantageous to design the conveyor device in another development of the inventive Abfertigungseinrichtung as a multi-part conveyor. In this way, in certain sections of the dispatching device adapted to the respective U conditions adapted conveying movement of the aircraft can be realized. A particular embodiment of the inventive Abfertigungseinrichtung provides in this context, that the conveyor device comprises at least a first conveyor, a second conveyor and a third conveyor, wherein the first conveyor for conveying the aircraft from the landing platform is formed to or in the area, wherein the second conveyor is configured to convey the aircraft through the area, and wherein the third conveyor is configured to convey the aircraft from or from the area to the launch platform. In this way, by means of the first to third conveying devices in the said sections of the handling device can be acted differently on an aircraft, which increases the flexibility of use of the handling device as a whole.

I consequent development of this I dee can be provided that at least the first conveyor and the third conveyor on the one hand and the second conveyor on the other hand are different, in particular have different conveyor speeds, the first conveyor and the third conveyor preferably have a higher conveying speed than that second conveyor.

In this way, for example, the landing and takeoff tact can be increased, because by means of the first conveyor and the third conveyor, the aircraft can be moved relatively quickly away from the landing platform or to the launch platform. On the other hand, the second conveying device, which is designed to convey the aircraft through the protected area, can operate at a significantly slower conveying speed in order in this way to enable a variety of interactions with the aircraft in the protected area.

In this connection, in another development of the conveying device according to the invention, it can still be provided that the conveying device or at least one of the conveying devices is designed for continuously moving the aircraft, for example to transport it quickly and smoothly away from the landing platform into the protected area and Increase timing. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the conveying device or at least one of the conveying devices is designed for the discontinuous movement of the aircraft. Preferably, this relates to the second conveyor, which causes the aircraft through the protected area. In this way, the aircraft at each station can be brought to a standstill, for example, to allow easy boarding passengers, or to facilitate the loading and unloading of the aircraft. In this context, the aircraft does not have to be completely decelerated to a standstill - it is also possible to move the aircraft at least in the named range with alternately faster and slower conveying speeds, which also depend on the respective station purpose or the type of interaction there can be adjusted.

With the aid of the proposed handling device, it is also possible to enable a handling of aircraft which can not take off and land vertically. In another development of the handling device according to the invention, a braking device for a non-vertically landing aircraft can be provided in the area of the landing platform is provided by preferably the conveyor device is formed or used in the landing platform as a braking device for a non-perpendicular landing aircraft. If a flying aircraft has a certain horizontal landing speed which is not equal to zero, the braking device can be used to counteract this speed and to compensate for it. In the simplest case, the conveying device provided in the region of the landing platform can be used for this purpose if its conveying direction can (temporarily) be reversed.

The same development can also be provided in the area of the launch platform in order to accelerate a non-perpendicular launching aircraft when taking off. In the simplest case, the conveying device provided in the region of the launch platform can be used for this purpose if its conveying speed can be (temporarily) increased. Additionally or alternatively, a separate acceleration device for a non-perpendicular landing aircraft may be provided in the region of the launch platform. Another development of the check-in device according to the invention provides that the protected area is arranged on another horizontal plane, in particular on a lower level, than the take-off and / or landing platform. If, for example, the check-in device is arranged on a house roof, the protected area within the house can be arranged below the roof level in this way. In contrast, the takeoff and / or landing platform is located on an elevated level, which may be advantageous in particular for reasons of wind turbulence regularly occurring on buildings.

As already mentioned, another development of the dispatching device according to the invention provides that it is arranged or can be arranged on a building, in particular on a high-rise building. In this case, the launch and / or landing platform can be arranged cantilevered relative to the building or be arrangeable.

The check-in device may extend over several floors, for example over three to five floors. In particular, the stored, parked or parked aircraft can be arranged on lower floors. Lifting devices or the like may be provided for the transport.

The check-in device can be arranged on or on an existing building (skyscraper) but also on or on a purpose built structure, which was created for example in stilts on existing facilities of the (traffic) lfra- or superstructure.

In order to be able to use a distance between the landing platform and the launch platform as efficiently as possible for the proposed interaction with the aircraft, it has proven to be favorable to design the protected area itself and / or a course of the conveyor in this area meandering. This makes it possible to increase the effective path length between the take-off and landing platforms, which may be advantageous in particular due to the structurally cramped situation in the roof area of (existing) buildings.

It has already been pointed out that, in another advantageous embodiment of the handling device according to the invention, at least one further station for removing the aircraft from the conveyor is provided may be which station may be located in particular in the protected area. This station was also referred to above as the transfer station / Einschleusestation.

For the provided under the Abfertigungseinrichtung transport or conveying device a variety of configurations are possible. However, it has proven to be particularly advantageous to design the conveyor device or at least one of the conveyor devices as a conveyor belt, for example similar to baggage handling, in the form of robots or automated handling devices, as a towing device, as a pushing device, in the form of carriages or the like. In principle, a movement of the aircraft in the manner of a cable car as well as by non-contact magnetic floating method or the like comes into consideration.

In principle, however, also comes into consideration in the context of the present invention that the aircraft is designed to be self-propelled, so that the conveyor not only serves to actively transport the aircraft, but also can be purely passive designed as a mere trajectory.

Advantageously, in a development of the handling device according to the invention, a conveying speed of the conveying device and / or a distance of the protected area from the long platform are selected or selectable such that an aircraft can be removed from the landing platform within a first time from its landing, preferably being able to be conveyed into the area which is preferably less than one minute, most preferably about 30 seconds. In this way, it is possible to land and start aircraft with a 30-second pacing. This allows a very efficient design of the flight operations. The same applies preferably to the distance (the conveying time) between the area and the launching platform.

In yet another development of the handling device according to the invention, it is provided that a conveying speed of the conveying device is selected or selectable such that an aircraft can be conveyed through the protected area within a second time, which second time is preferably less than five minutes, most preferably about four minutes. is. It has emerged from investigations of the applicant that a period of only 4 minutes can be sufficient to make a landed aircraft ready to go and allow passengers to get in and out. After the said time in the protected area, a given aircraft is then ready to start again and can be transported by the conveyor to the launch platform.

In the course of a special development, the dispatching device according to the invention advantageously comprises a guide device in the region of the landing platform, which can preferably be designed as an electromagnetic, non-contact guide device. This guide device is designed to and serves to guide a landing aircraft in an effective range of the conveyor in the landing platform. In this case, it may in particular be the first conveying device mentioned above if the conveying device is designed in several parts. In this context, the guide device can contactlessly interact, for example, with a flight control electronics of the aircraft, so that it lands on the landing platform in such a way that it can then be taken over and transported away directly by the conveying device. In this way it is prevented that a "wrong" landing aircraft blocked the landing platform or that ground personnel would have to be used to move the aircraft to the conveyor.

In a modification or as a supplement to the above-mentioned idea, within the scope of another embodiment of the handling device according to the invention, it is also provided that an additional conveyor device is provided in the area of the landing platform, which additional conveyor device is designed to be a landed aircraft of the actual conveyor device, in particular the said first conveying device to supply. In this way, it is not crucial that the aircraft lands exactly at a predetermined location (eg in the middle) on the landing platform. This can be particularly advantageous if it can not be guaranteed beyond reasonable doubt due to wind influences or other weather conditions that the aircraft always touches down exactly at the same place on the landing platform.

I n further development of the building according to the invention can be provided that this an elevator or an escalator or a comparable Einrich- tion as access to the handling device, in particular to the protected area. In this way, passengers easily get in the said area to a boarding station, there to enter the aircraft.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if a building according to the invention has, for its further development, at least two handling devices which are arranged on opposite sides of the building. These dispatch facilities preferably each have separate launch / landing platforms, which are most preferably each arranged on a building corner. In this way, the available space in the roof area of buildings can be used particularly efficiently in the context of the present invention.

Another development of the building according to the invention provides that the launch and / or landing platform / s cantilevered over the building are arranged or can be arranged to minimize unfavorable wind influences (turbulence). In this context, it can be provided that the said platforms can be extended or retracted or folded in or out so as to be able to stow them safely, for example, in the event of a storm or the like.

A first development of the method according to the invention for handling aircraft carrying passengers provides that the aircraft is first relatively quickly conveyed away from the landing platform to the area or into the area, then conveyed relatively slowly through the area and then relatively quickly out of the area In this context, "relatively slow" or "relatively fast" always refers to the transport speeds to and from the protected area on the one hand and in / through the protected area on the other hand. The particular advantages of such an embodiment has already been pointed out above. In particular, such a relatively quickly timed flight operation can be realized because the takeoff and landing platforms are occupied relatively quickly and released again. In contrast, the aircraft can stay relatively long in the protected area to the Maintenance, boarding / disembarking and the like in a reasonable time to perform.

Yet another development of the method according to the invention, to which reference has also already been made, provides that an aircraft is removed from the landing platform within a first time from its landing by being preferably conveyed into the protected area, which first time is preferably below one minute and most preferably only about 30 seconds. Accordingly, it has also been pointed out that, in yet another embodiment of the method, an aircraft is conveyed on a second side through the area, which second time is preferably less than 5 minutes, and most preferably only about 4 minutes. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the invention is not limited to the numerical values given above by way of example only, which will always depend on the specific application.

At the latest when a landed aircraft is in the protected area, this landing platform can be used again for an aircraft.

Other developments of the method according to the invention provide that an aircraft is continuously conveyed through the area or that an aircraft is conveyed discontinuously through the area, preferably in the region of at least one station, a stop can be inserted or movement takes place with a slowed conveyor speed. Also on this or on the corresponding benefits has already been discussed above.

In step iii) of the method according to the invention, it can be provided, with a corresponding development, that at least one of the following actions is performed with the aircraft:

Removing at least one energy supply unit of the aircraft, in particular of a rechargeable battery;

Inserting at least one energy supply unit of the aircraft, in particular of a storage battery; Charging or filling at least one energy supply unit of the aircraft, in particular a rechargeable battery or a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine;

Boarding of passengers in the aircraft;

Disembarking passengers from the aircraft;

Loading of cargo into the aircraft;

Unloading cargo from the aircraft;

technical maintenance of the aircraft;

Discharging the aircraft from the conveyor;

Introducing an aircraft into the conveyor.

This has already been pointed out above with reference to the corresponding embodiment of the handling device.

As stated above, it has been found to be particularly advantageous if the development of the method according to the invention a landing aircraft is directed by means of a guide, preferably a non-contact electromagnetic guide in the region of the landing platform in an effective range of the conveyor, so that the subsequent transport away from the Landing platform is guaranteed.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing.

Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic Darstellu ng a dispatching device according to the invention including a number of passengers carrying aircraft;

Figure 2 shows schematically a possible special embodiment of a handling device according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows schematically a further embodiment of a handling device according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows schematically a special embodiment of a handling device according to the invention in the landing platform; FIG. 5 schematically shows an alternative to the embodiment according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows the roof area of a building according to the invention with two handling facilities according to the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment essentially according to FIG. 6 from a somewhat different perspective.

FIG. 1 shows an aircraft handling device according to the invention, in particular for vertically launched and landing, electrically driven multicopters, designated overall by the reference numeral 1. The handling device 1 comprises a first platform 2, which is designed as a landing platform for the aircraft, and a second platform 3, which is designed as a launch platform for the aircraft. The aircraft themselves are not the subject of the invention per se and designated by the reference numeral 1 00 in the figures.

Between the two platforms 2, 3 there is a special area, which in the context of the present description is also referred to as a "protected area" and which is provided with the reference numeral 4 (dashed line in FIG. 1) the passengers and the aircraft 1 00 are designed, if they are located in said area 4, for which purpose, in particular, a roof can be provided, but the protected area 4 is advantageously a completely converted area, to which the access belongs through open and lockable doors, gates or the like, which is not shown in Figure 1.

In addition, the handling device 1 comprises a conveying device for the aircraft 1 00, which conveying device is symbolically represented by a curved arrow and designated by the reference numeral 5. Possible embodiments of the conveying device 5 will be discussed in more detail below. Ultimately, it must be designed and adapted to transport the aircraft 1 00 from the landing platform 2 to the launch platform 3. It is not necessary in this context that the transport is active through The conveyor device 5 happens because the aircraft 1 00 can in principle also be self-propelled (with wheels or the like). However, it is preferred that the conveyor device 5 actively acts on the aircraft 1 00 in order to transport them from the landing platform 2 through the protected area 4 to the launch platform 3. For this purpose, the conveyor device 5 may be formed, for example, in the manner of a conveyor belt, without the invention being limited thereto.

It is not essential that landing platform 2 and launch platform 3 are physically separate units. Rather, it is within the scope of the invention that a single platform functions both as a launch platform 3 and as a landing platform 2. The conveyor device 5 is then to be designed accordingly so that it can transport the aircraft 1 00 away from this platform, through the protected area 4 and back to the same platform. However, in order to be able to ensure a faster-timed flight operation, it is preferable to design the landing platform 2 and the launch platform 3 as separate platforms, as shown.

The conveyor device 5 thus runs through the protected area 4, so that the aircraft 1 00 reach this area 4. There, at least one station 6 is arranged, which is set up for a predetermined interaction with the aircraft 1 00, which is located at said station 6 due to the movement and proviso by the conveyor device 5. This interaction is shown symbolically in FIG. 1 by a dashed double arrow I.

Within the scope of the invention, a multiplicity of different stations 6 can be realized in the protected area. This has already been mentioned in detail above, so that a repetition is unnecessary at this point. In the following Figures 2 and 3, certain types of stations 6 are explained in more detail. Advantageously, there is not only a single station 6 in the protected area 4, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1, but at a plurality of stations 6, correspondingly different actions I with the aircraft 1 00 are possible.

After the interaction I with the aircraft 1 00 has taken place at the station 6, the aircraft 1 00 moves in accordance with the conveying device 5. ter in the direction of the launch platform 3, from which it starts again to participate again in flight operations.

FIG. 2 shows a special embodiment of the handling device 1 according to the invention, the explicit illustration of the aircraft 1 00 (cf. FIG. 1) being omitted for reasons of clarity. Otherwise, the same reference numerals in all figures for the same or equivalent elements.

A first essential difference to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 is that, according to FIG. 2, the conveying device 5 is designed in several parts, in particular in three parts. This is symbolized in FIG. 2 by the fact that instead of a single arrow, three arrows are shown with reference numbers 5.1, 5.2, 5.3. Reference numeral 5.1 denotes a first conveying device, reference numeral 5.2 denotes a second conveying device, and reference numeral 5.3 denotes a third conveying device. The first conveyor 5.1 is adapted to transport a landed aircraft (not shown) from the landing platform 2 to or into the protected area 4, as shown. The concrete transport does not matter, but can be designed as short as possible. The second conveying device 5.2 is arranged in the protected area 4 and serves to transport an aircraft (not shown) through this area 4. At the end of area 4, the second transport device 5.2 then transfers the aircraft to the third transport device 5.3, which is provided for (direct) onward transport to the launch platform 3.

In the protected area 4, the handling device 1 shown in FIG. 2 comprises not only one station 6, but four stations, which are designated by the reference numerals 6.1 to 6.4. The stations 6.1 to 6.4 are arranged behind one another along the second transport device 5.2, so that the aircraft (not shown) can be transported in succession to the stations 6.1 to 6.4 by the second transport device 5.2. Above the individual stations 6.1 to 6.4, it is shown symbolically which interactions with the aircraft at the respective stations 6.1 to 6.4 can take place.

The station 6.1, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a removal station for removing at least one power supply unit of Aircraft, in the case of electrically powered aircraft in particular a rechargeable battery. For this purpose, a robot 6.1 a is provided at the station 6.1, which takes the (empty) power supply unit 6.1 b from the aircraft (arrow P 1). Also a manual removal by operating personnel is possible.

Subsequently, the aircraft (not shown) arrives at the station 6.2. This is designed as a combined exit station for disembarking passengers from the aircraft and Ausladestation for unloading cargo from the aircraft. For example, doors of the aircraft can be opened automatically and / or an access ramp or the like can be extended. Reference numeral 6.2a denotes an object to be unloaded, while reference numeral 6.2b represents an outgoing passenger (arrow P2). In particular, the unloading of objects can in turn be automated by means of a robot or the like, which is not shown in FIG. 2 for reasons of clarity.

The following station 6.3 is a combined boarding / loading station: according to arrow P3, passengers 6.3a board the aircraft; In addition, items (goods in transit) 6.3b can be invited.

At the station 6.4 again a robot or manipulator is shown 6.4a, which uses a (full) power supply unit 6.4b according to arrow P4 in the aircraft. Likewise, a manual interaction is possible. Station 6.4 can also be referred to as an insertion station.

H inter station 6.4 is the (not shown) aircraft loaded and "refueled" and can be transported by means of the third conveyor device 5.3 to the launch platform 3 to participate again in flight operations.

As shown in FIG. 2 by means of 4 dashed arrows, the conveying device 5 in the region of the described second conveying device 5.2 can also be further subdivided or designed to realize a discontinuous conveying operation for the aircraft in the protected area 4. In this way, a particular aircraft can be maintained for a certain period of time. duration, for example, remain at the station 6.2 (stop), so that in particular the passengers can get off 6.2b quietly. The same applies with respect to the station 6.3 and the approach of new passengers 6.3a. In this context, it is not necessary for the aircraft to come to a complete halt at said stations. Rather, it can also be provided that the second conveying device 5.2 (or the named sub-conveying devices in this area) adjust the conveying speed to the respectively occurring interaction with the aircraft without the conveying speed becoming completely zero.

As can easily be seen, the invention is not limited to the number, arrangement and combination of stations 6.1 to 6.4 shown by way of example in FIG. Further stations are detailed in the introductory part of the description.

Also in the embodiment according to FIG. 3, a plurality of stations 6.1 to 6.5 are provided in the protected area 4, wherein the stations 6.1 to 6.4 should not be discussed in more detail. The conveying device 5 is again formed in several parts (conveying devices 5.1, 5.2, 5.2 ', 5.3), wherein the conveying devices 5.1 and 5.3 correspond to the same designated conveying devices in Figure 3. In the protected area 4, two partial conveyors 5.2, 5.2 'are provided, as shown, so that the aircraft 1 00 can be fed to an additional station 6.5 after passing through the station 6.2. H here it is according to Figure 3 to a Ausschleusebzw. In this way, a landed aircraft 1 00 at the station 6.5 can be replaced by a "fresh" aircraft, for example in the event of damage to the aircraft 1 00 or if the aircraft has to be maintained at regular intervals.

The aircraft 1 00 still shown in the lower part of the protected area 4 may be reserve aircraft or aircraft that have been stored due to reduced flight operations, for example due to weather conditions.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a special embodiment of a handling device according to the invention in the area of the landing platform 2. A Conveyor 5.1 connects the landing platform 2 with the protected area 4. The block arrow P5 indicates the direction of conveyance.

In the area of the landing platform 2 there is a guide device 7, which is designed to generate electromagnetically non-contact a "control field" shown here as a truncated cone, with which an electronic control unit (not shown) of the aircraft 1 00 interacts, so that the aircraft 1 00 It arrives there exactly on the landing platform 2, where it can be taken over and transported away by the conveying device 5.1 It is fundamentally within the scope of the invention to provide a kind of "catching device" instead of a non-contact guiding device 7 to which the aircraft 1 00 docks then be parked in the area mentioned on the landing platform 2. However, this is more difficult to realize than the non-contact guide device 7 described above, so that it is preferred. The use of such a guide device 7 can ensure that there is no delay in the handling of aircraft, which stems from the fact that an aircraft landed incorrectly on the platform 2 1 00 blocks the flight operation and requires intervention of ground personnel or the like.

FIG. 5 schematically shows another solution to this problem, in which an additional, specifically trapezoidal, conveying device 5.1 'is provided in the region of the landing platform 2, which covers the landing platform 2 for the most part. In this way, it no longer depends on where on the landing platform 2 the aircraft launches 1 00. The additional conveying device 5.1 'ensures that the landed aircraft 1 00 can be transported to the first transport device 5.1 and from there to the protected area 4.

FIG. 6 shows a special embodiment of the handling device 1 according to the invention, which is arranged in duplicate on the roof of a skyscraper. The high-rise is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 20. It has at least one elevator 21 on the side, via which passengers 22 can reach the handling facilities 1. The check-in devices 1 each have separate landing and launch platforms 2, 3 in the manner already outlined. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the landing platforms 2 and the launch platforms 3 are opposite to the landing platforms 2 Side walls 23 of the skyscraper 20 to reduce the influence of turbulence or the like. By way of example, in the region of the front launch platform 3, the associated (third) conveying device 5.3, which may be formed widened in the area of the actual platform 3, as described and described with reference to the landing platform 2 in principle with reference to FIG.

While the platforms 2, 3 are located approximately on a plane with the actual roof surface 24 of the skyscraper 20, the protected area 4 lies below this roof surface 24, so that the first and third conveying devices 5.1, 5.3 extend obliquely downward or upward. The access to the protected area 4 can be closed by means of gates or flaps 4a, 4b, as shown schematically.

As can be surmised on the basis of FIG. 6 due to a cross-shaped glass roof section, the protected area 4 for the two existing handling devices 1 is meander-shaped in each case, as illustrated in the front part of the illustration on the basis of the black line M. Accordingly, the course of the (not shown) second conveyor 5.2 in this area 4. In this way, the aircraft do not get on the shortest, direct route from the landing platform 2 to the launch platform 3, but are transported along a longer path M to In this way, to be able to provide a multiplicity of interactions with the aircraft 1 00. Below the above-mentioned cross-shaped glass roof at reference numeral 25, a passage system for the passengers 22 may be located so that they have access to their intended stations (not shown) in the protected area 4 access.

Figure 7 shows the already described with reference to Figure 6 special Ausgesta tion of the invention from a slightly different perspective. Given are some exemplary durations for certain sections of the aircraft handling. For example, it can be provided that the transport of an aircraft landed on the platform 2 takes up to the protected area 4 by means of the conveyor 5 about 30 seconds. Afterwards 90 seconds are available for alighting and boarding along the meandering path M. The total residence time of a Aircraft in the protected area 4 should be about 4 minutes, so that in addition to 2.5 minutes for maintenance, loading and unloading, replacement of the power supply units, etc. are available. This has proven to be useful and efficient. Finally, the transport from the protected area 4 takes up to the launch platform 3 by means of the conveyor device 5.3 again about 30 seconds. While one or more aircraft are in the protected area 4, the takeoff and landing platforms 2, 3 may be used to land or launch other aircraft. The flight clock is thus only 30 seconds.

In FIG. 7, the radius of the landing platform 2 is denoted by the reference symbol R by way of example. This radius may be, for example, without limitation, about 20 meters.

It can be provided that unused aircraft in (lower) upper floors of the skyscraper 20 are stored in the manner of a parking garage. This is shown by way of example in FIG. 7 with the arrows "parking" and "parking". For such parking and Ausparkvorgänge are again each about 30 seconds to estimate.

Claims

claims

1 . Handling device (1) for passengers carrying aircraft (1 00), in particular vertical take-off and landing multicopters, comprising: at least one first platform, which is designed as a landing platform (2) for a passenger carrying aircraft (1 00), wherein

a) the at least one first platform is also designed as a launch platform (3) for a passenger carrying aircraft or

b) at least one second platform is provided, which is designed as a launch platform (3) for a passenger carrying aircraft;

at least one area (4), which is designed as weather protection for the passengers and the aircraft (1 00), in particular by providing a roofing;

at least one conveyor (5; 5.1; 5.2; 5.3) for the aircraft adapted to move the aircraft (100) from the landing platform (2) through the area to the launch platform (3);

in which area (4) at least one station (6; 6.1-6.5) is provided which is set up for a predetermined interaction (I) with the aircraft (100).

Second processing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one station (6.1 - 6.5) is formed as one of the following stations:

Removal station (6.1) for removing at least one power supply unit of the aircraft, in particular a storage battery;

Insertion station (6.4) for inserting at least one energy supply unit of the aircraft, in particular a rechargeable battery; Charging station for charging or filling at least one power supply unit of the aircraft, in particular a rechargeable battery or a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine; Boarding station (6.3) for boarding passengers in the aircraft;

Exit station (6.2) for disembarking passengers from the aircraft;

Invitation station (6.3) for loading cargo into the aircraft; Unloading station (6.2) for unloading cargo from the aircraft;

Maintenance station for technical maintenance of the aircraft;

Outfeed station (6.5) for discharging the aircraft from the conveyor (5, 5.2);

Infeed station (6.5) for introducing an aircraft into the conveying device (5, 5.2 ').

3. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1), in which in the area (4) a plurality of stations (6; 6.1 - 6.5) are provided according to claim 2, in particular in the conveying direction of the conveyor (5; 5.1; 5.2; 5.3) in succession, preferably at least one Aussteigestation (6.2) and a boarding station

(6.3), most preferably at least one removal station (6.1), a departure station (6.2), a boarding station (6.3) and an insertion station

(6.4).

4. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the region (4) is formed at least roofed.

5. handling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conveying device (5) as a multi-part conveying device (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) is formed.

6. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to claim 5, comprising a first conveyor (5.1), a second conveyor (5,2) and a third conveyor (5.3), wherein the first conveyor (5.1) for conveying the aircraft (1 00) of the landing platform (2) is formed to or into the area (4), wherein the second conveying device (5.2, 5.2 ') for conveying the aircraft (100) is formed by the area (4), and wherein the third conveying device ( 5.3) for conveying the aircraft (1 00) from or from the area (4) to the launch platform (3) is formed.

7. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to claim 6, wherein at least the first conveyor (5.1) and the second conveyor on the one hand and the second conveyor on the other hand (5.2, 5.2 ') are designed differently, in particular different conveyor speeds wherein the first conveying device (5.1) and the third conveying device (5.3) preferably have a higher conveying speed than the second conveying device (5.2, 5.2 ').

8. handling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the conveying device (5) or at least one of the conveying devices (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) according to claim 6 or 7 for continuously moving the aircraft (1 00) is formed.

9. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conveyor device (5) or at least one of the conveying devices (5.1; 5.2; 5.3) according to claim 6 or 7 for discontinuous movement of the aircraft (100) is formed preferably in the area (4).

1 0. Dispatching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in the landing platform (2) a braking device for a non-perpendicular landing aircraft is provided, preferably in the conveying device in the landing platform (2) as a braking device for a non-perpendicular landing aircraft is trained or usable.

1 1. Dispatching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the area is arranged on another horizontal plane, in particular on a lower level, than the take-off and / or landing platform (2, 3).

12. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, which is on a building (20), in particular a high-rise, arranged or can be arranged.

1 3. Dispatcher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the launch and / or landing platform (2, 3) cantilevered relative to the building (20) is arranged or can be arranged.

14. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 3, wherein the region (4) itself and / or a profile of the conveying device (5) in the region meandering (M) is formed

1 5. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one further station (6.5) for removing the aircraft (1 00) from the conveyor (5) is provided, in particular in the area (4).

1 6. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 5, wherein the conveyor device (5) or at least one of the conveying devices (5.1; 5.2; 5.3) according to claim 6 or 7 as a conveyor belt, robot, towing device, sliding device, carriage or [...] is trained.

1 7. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 6, wherein a conveying speed of the conveying device (5) is selected or selectable such that an aircraft (1 00) within a first time from its landing from the landing platform (2 ), preferably up to the range (4), which first time is preferably less than one minute, most preferably about 30 seconds.

1 8. Abfertigungseinrichtung (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 7, wherein a conveying speed of the conveying device (5) is selected or selectable such that an aircraft (1 00) within a second time by the area (4) is conveyed , which second time is preferably less than five minutes, most preferably about four minutes.

1 9. handling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 8, with a guide device, preferably an electromagnetic, non-contact guide device (7), in the landing platform (2), which guide device (7) is adapted to a landing aircraft (1 00) in an effective range of the conveying device (5), in particular the first conveying device (5.1) according to claim 6 or 7, to direct.

20. handling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 9, with an additional conveying device (5.1 ') in the landing platform (2), which additional conveying device (5.1') is adapted to a landed aircraft (1 00) of Conveying device (5), in particular the first th conveyor device (5.1) according to claim 6 or 7, supply.

21. Building (20), in particular skyscraper, with at least one handling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which handling device (1) is preferably arranged on the roof or in the roof area of the building (20).

22. Building (20) according to claim 21, with an elevator (21) or a

Escalator as access to the handling device (1), in particular to the area (4).

23. Building (20) according to claim 21 or 22, with at least two Abfertigungseinrichtungen (1), which are arranged on opposite sides of the building (20), preferably with each separate start / landing platforms (2, 3), the most preferably are each arranged on a building corner.

24. Building (20) according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the takeoff and / or landing platform (s) (2, 3) cantilevered relative to the building (20) is arranged or can be arranged / are preferably the start and / or Landingplattform / s (2, 3) on / extendable or foldable trained is / are.

25. A method for dispatching passengers carrying aircraft (1 00), in particular vertically-launched and landing multicopters, comprising:

i) providing an aircraft (100) on a first platform (2) serving as a landing platform for a passenger-carrying aircraft (100);

ii) conveying the aircraft (100) from the landing platform (2) into at least one area (4) which serves as weather protection for the passengers and the aircraft (100), in particular by providing a roof, by means of at least one conveying device (5 ) for the aircraft (1 00);

iii) conveying the aircraft (100) by means of the at least one conveying device (5) through the area (4), in which area (4) at least one at least one station (6) performs a predetermined interaction (I) with the aircraft (100);

iv) conveying the aircraft (1 00) by means of the at least one conveyor device (5) from the area (4) to a launch platform (3) for the aircraft (1 00).

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the aircraft (100) is first relatively quickly from the landing platform (2) away to the area (4) or in the area (4) is promoted, then relatively slowly through the area (4) is conveyed, and then relatively fast from the area (4) or from the area (4) to the launch platform (3) is promoted.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein an aircraft (1 00) within a first time from its landing from the landing platform (2) is removed, preferably conveyed to the area (4), which first time preferably less than a minute , most preferably about 30 seconds.

A method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein an aircraft (100) is conveyed within a second time through the region (4), which second time is preferably less than five minutes, most preferably about 4 minutes.

29. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein an aircraft (1 00) is continuously conveyed through the area (4).

30. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein an aircraft (1 00) is discontinuously conveyed through the area (4), preferably with a stop or a slowed conveying movement in the region of at least one station (6).

31. Method according to one of Claims 25 to 30, in which at least one of the following events (I) takes place in step iii):

Removing at least one energy supply unit of the aircraft, in particular of a rechargeable battery; Inserting at least one energy supply unit of the aircraft, in particular of a storage battery;

Charging or filling at least one power supply unit of the aircraft, in particular a rechargeable battery or a

Fuel cell or an internal combustion engine;