This math doesn't lie. This power equation is the universal horsepower equation and is HP = Torque (foot pounds) x RPM (Revolutions Per Minute)/5252.
RE: Moller's M400 flopped around before the shareholders more than a decade ago. It was stripped don to save weight. It went up and down. In my book it doesn't count as a 'flight'. He was under pressure to show the shareholders something. Anything. You know, with the SEC complaint and all.
Also refers to Post 1006
Skycar
1. The torque is equal to the weight. The RPM is the fan blade rotational speed. The gross weight is 2,400 pounds and the load is 720 pounds for a total weight (or torque) of 3,120 pounds.
2. We don't know the RPM
3. The specs say the total horsepower is 720.
4. Thus RPM = 720HP x 5252 / 3,120Torque = 1212 RPM
However we all know that helicopters are successful VTOLs (Vertical Takeoff and Lift) vehicles. The Bell Ranger 206L4 has these specs.
1. weighs 3,200 pounds which is comparable to the Skycar.
2. Has 726 Horsepower but continuous is 630 and also reduced further to accomodate for the power drain from the tail rotor.
3. Typical helicopter main rotor RPM ranges from 400 to 700 RPM.
When we plug this into the equation we get HP = 3,200Torque x 700RPM / 5252 = 533 HP. This 533hp is in line with the 630 max continuous and estimated reduction in main rotor power due to tail rotor.
Thus because the Skycar has a calculated RPM of 1,212 we know that a faster moving blade will move more air per unit area and thus create more (you guessed it) Horse Power. This new higher horsepower must now be calculated into the power equation. Some quick "rough" math would put it at 1,212 RPM / 700RPM = 1.73. This is a 73% increase in power. .73 x 720hp = 525. 525 + 720 = 1,245 HP.
The required HP for a 3,120 pound Skycar is 1,245 HP or 1,245 / 8 engines = 155 HP per engine. The specs say 90 hp per engine. These calculations confirm the above posters' comments that the skycar flight was not fully loaded and operated at the destruction level.
The final conclusion is that the Skycar needs a more powerful engine to hover fully loaded and even more powerful to fly because of the many forces that act on an aircraft in the sky. I estimate that roughly 1,750 to 2,500 hp is needed for a successful flying car. This engine in the size format required does not exist according to my search.
If my math is wrong please correct me. I seek the truth and not the glory. I want my flying car too.
