IAT21 is a small innovations company based in Traun in Austria. It was formed in 2006 to exploit inventions and patents relating to the D-DALUS cyclogyro system, a revolutionary new form of aircraft propulsion. The concept began in 2002 leading to a number of international patents and the launch of a 20kg electrically driven laboratory model in 2006, followed by the launch of a 200kg petrol version in 2012. The Company is now developing two D-DALUS aircraft prototypes: the electrically driven L1 with a payload of around 10kg and a larger diesel driven version (the L2) with a 100kg payload.
The Company is funded by a group of Austrian private investors and through Austrian government research grants. In addition, IAT21 is a participant in the Project CROP consortium, a European Framework 7 funded project , with participants from Portugal, Italy, Germany and the UK. Project CROP is examining ways to produce a highly efficient cyclogyro system that could ultimately be used in electrically powered passenger aircraft.
At the heart of the D-DALUS aircraft are 4 cyclogyro rotor assemblies, set as pairs which run counter-clockwise and at very high rotational speed with around 1,000 g at the rim of the disks. Operation at these high g forces has been permitted through the development of a unique ultra-low friction swivel-bearing, internationally patented by IAT221. This bearing naturally has vast potential for exploitation in many other applications and the Company is therefore working on a number of related projects which include an autonomous pallet-lifter, a wind turbine and novel electrical storage concepts. The wind turbines (1.5pkW and 2.5pkW) use the same D-DALUS cyclogyro concept to generate electrical energy and are being developed through the sister company T-WIND for household electrical generation.
The D-DALUS L1 weighs around 20kg and IAT21 expect to have the prototype flying in the Summer of 2013. This electrically powered aircraft will be around 2 metres in wingspan, will be able to launch and land vertically, hover, rotate and fly forward at speeds expected to exceed those of helicopter UAVs. The Company expects to develop this UAV into a highly efficient, robust and cost effective drone for use in a very wide variety of roles, including support of the emergency services, maritime search, survey work, intelligence operations, provision of communications nodes and support of UN operations for such tasks as minefield reconnaissance and support to refugees.
The D-DALUS L2 concept demonstrator flew in IAT21’s laboratories several times in 2012. Film of this can be seen on the Discovery Channel (Canada), Servus TV and Youtube. The demonstrator weighed around 200kg and was the forerunner of an advanced cyclogyro aircraft prototype that will be built by IAT21 over the next 2 years. The L2-B will be a winged cyclogyro that will include over 30 enhancements identified in the 2012 laboratory demonstrator. The aircraft will be largely constructed from carbon fibre and will include a unique electronic guidance system to allow the aircraft to launch vertically, rotate, flip, hover and conduct manoeuvres that are impossible for fixed wing or helicopter UAVs. As the L2 will have the ability to work in very rough weather and can launch and return to very small moving platforms (such as a boat pitching and rolling in rough seas) IAT21 see the D-DALUS L2 filling maritime roles such as search and rescue, piracy patrol, oil rig support and long range surveillance.
Both the L1 and L2 D-DALUS UAVs are seen by the Company as steps towards their ultimate goal of providing future passenger aircraft that are cheaper, safer and more environmentally friendly than the private car.
IAT21
Innovative Aeronautics Technologies GmbH
Langholzstraße 16
A-4050 Traun
AUSTRIA
Tel: +43 7229 51717-45
Fax: +43 7229 51717-57
Email: office@iat21.at
Web: www.iat21.at