An Improved Velocity Planning Method for Evtol Aircrafts Based on Differential Evolution Algorithm Considering Flight Economy

This research establishes an energy management method for the velocity planning of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to ensure and enhance flying safety and economy. This method integrates the aerodynamic and economic models of an aeroplane, power train model and battery electro-thermal-degradation model. It applies the differential evolution algorithm (DEA). Optimising the velocity profile and reducing the eVTOL aircraft’s power achieves a lower discharging rate and battery temperature, thus extending the battery lifespan and increasing profits over the battery lifetime. Compared with the original velocity profile, the optimised velocity extends the battery life by 41.7% and raises eVTOL aircraft profits by 1.8 times. Moreover, to obtain a suitable voltage platform and battery capacity for eVTOL aircrafts, the influence of the serial-connected cell number on the eVTOL aircraft’s performance is also investigated. According to the results, raising the battery voltage by increasing the cell number can reduce the discharging rate, temperature and capacity loss of the battery and increase the profits. However, numerous cells make an eVTOL aircraft overweight, rendering it unsuitable to take off. When the serial-connected cell number increases from 190 to 310, the battery lifespan is extended by 700 cycles, and the lifetime profit increases by 56,259.9 USD.