High-capacity dynamic vertiport

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2026008563-A1
Application number	US-202418764969-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 5, 2024
Priority date	Jul 5, 2024
Publication date	Jan 8, 2026
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vertiport system includes a plurality of touchdown and lift-off (TLOF) platforms. The vertiport system also includes a final approach and take-off (FATO) area. The vertiport system also includes a driver configured to move the TLOF platforms with respect to the FATO area.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A vertiport system, comprising:
a plurality of touchdown and lift-off (TLOF) platforms; a final approach and take-off (FATO) area; and a driver configured to move the TLOF platforms with respect to the FATO area.

2 . The vertiport system of claim 1 , further comprising a terminal, wherein the TLOF platforms move in a horizontal plane around the terminal.

3 . The vertiport system of claim 2 , wherein the terminal is divided into a plurality of stations, and wherein the stations are circumferentially offset from one another around a central vertical axis through the terminal.

4 . The vertiport system of claim 3 , wherein the TLOF platforms are positioned radially-outward from the terminal and the stations with respect to the central vertical axis, and wherein each TLOF platform is configured to be aligned with a different one of the stations.

5 . The vertiport system of claim 3 , wherein the stations comprise a touchdown and lift-off (TLOF) station, an unloading station, a ground service station, and a loading station.

6 . The vertiport system of claim 3 , wherein the stations comprise a touchdown and lift-off (TLOF) station, wherein the driver is configured to move a first of the TLOF platforms into alignment with the TLOF station and simultaneously into the FATO area, and wherein the first TLOF platform is configured to have a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft land thereon when the first TLOF platform is in the FATO area.

7 . The vertiport system of claim 3 , wherein the stations comprise an unloading station, wherein the driver is configured to move a first of the TLOF platforms into alignment with the unloading station, which allows passengers, luggage, or cargo to be unloaded from a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, onto the first TLOF platform, and then into the unloading station.

8 . The vertiport system of claim 3 , wherein the stations comprise a ground service station, wherein the driver is configured to move a first of the TLOF platforms into alignment with the ground service station, which allows ground service to be performed on a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that is positioned on the first TLOF platform.

9 . The vertiport system of claim 3 , wherein the stations comprise a loading station, wherein the driver is configured to move a first of the TLOF platforms into alignment with the loading station, which allows passengers, luggage, or cargo to be loaded from the loading station into a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that is positioned on the first TLOF platform.

10 . The vertiport system of claim 3 , wherein the stations comprise a touchdown and lift-off (TLOF) station, wherein the driver is configured to move a first of the TLOF platforms into alignment with the TLOF station and simultaneously into the FATO area, and wherein the first TLOF platform is configured to have a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft take-off therefrom when the first TLOF platform is in the FATO area.

11 . A vertiport system, comprising:
a stationary terminal, wherein the terminal is divided into a plurality of stations, wherein the stations are circumferentially offset from one another around a central vertical axis through the terminal, and wherein the stations comprise a touchdown and lift-off (TLOF) station, an unloading station, a ground service station, and a loading station; a plurality of TLOF platforms positioned adjacent to the terminal, wherein the TLOF platforms are positioned radially-outward from the terminal and the stations with respect to the central vertical axis, and wherein each TLOF platform is configured to be aligned with a different one of the stations; a final approach and take-off (FATO) area positioned adjacent to the terminal, wherein the FATO area is stationary, wherein a first of the TLOF platforms is configured to initially be aligned with the TLOF station and in the FATO area, and wherein the first TLOF platform is configured to have a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft land thereon when the first TLOF platform is in the FATO area; and a driver configured to cause the TLOF platforms to move with respect to the terminal and the FATO area, wherein the TLOF platforms move in a horizontal plane around the central vertical axis, wherein the TLOF platforms move in a continuous or pulsed manner, wherein the first TLOF platform moves from alignment with the TLOF station into alignment with the unloading station in response to a first rotational movement by the driver, which allows first passengers, first luggage, or first cargo to be unloaded from the VTOL aircraft into the unloading station of the terminal, wherein the first TLOF platform moves from alignment with the unloading station of the terminal into alignment with the ground service station of the terminal in response to a second rotational movement by the driver, which allows ground service to be performed on the VTOL aircraft, wherein the first TLOF platform moves from alignment with the ground service station of the terminal into alignment with the loading station of the terminal in response to a third rotational movement by the driver, which allows second passengers, second luggage, or second cargo to be loaded from the loading station of the terminal into the VTOL aircraft, wherein the first TLOF platform moves from alignment with the loading station of the terminal back into alignment with the TLOF station of the terminal in response to a fourth rotational movement by the driver, which brings the first TLOF platform back into the FATO area, and wherein the VTOL aircraft is configured to take-off from the first TLOF platform when the first TLOF platform moves back into the FATO area.

12 . The vertiport system of claim 11 , wherein voids are defined between each adjacent pair of the TLOF platforms.

13 . The vertiport system of claim 11 , wherein the TLOF platforms are part of a single disk with no voids therebetween.

14 . The vertiport system of claim 11 , wherein the TLOF platforms, or sub-components thereof, are also configured to move vertically to facilitate loading and unloading.

15 . The vertiport system of claim 11 , wherein the TLOF platforms comprise equipment to refuel or recharge the VTOL aircraft.

16 . A method for operating a vertiport system, the method comprising:
moving a touchdown and lift-off (TLOF) platform into alignment with a first station of a terminal, wherein the TLOF platform is moved with a driver, wherein the TLOF platform is within a final approach and take-off (FATO) area when the TLOF platform is aligned with the first station, and wherein the TLOF platform is one of a plurality of TLOF platforms that are adjacent to the terminal; and receiving a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft onto the TLOF platform when the TLOF platform is aligned with the first station and in the FATO area.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
moving the TLOF platform from alignment with the first station of the terminal into alignment with a second station of the terminal; unloading from the VTOL aircraft when the TLOF platform is aligned with the second station; moving the TLOF platform from alignment with the second station of the terminal into alignment with a third station of the terminal; and performing ground service on the VTOL aircraft when the TLOF platform is aligned with the third station.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
moving the first TLOF platform from alignment with the third station of the ter

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Clothier Reece Alexander
• Williams Brendan Patrick

Classifications

• E04H6/44

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• B64F1/22 Primary

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• B64F1/30

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• B64F1/125 Primary

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