Introduction: Ducted Fan is a kind of propulsion device that is ducted on the periphery of the free propeller. It can generate greater lift, and the fan ring is enclosed in the duct, which can prevent the fan’s aerodynamic sound from spreading outwards, and is compact in structure and high in safety. Therefore, it is used in many small vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles.
△SkyersJet project EDF conducts thrust test [来源：SkyersJet]
The SkyersJet project is under development3D printingEDF system, the project aims to manufacture high-performance EDF engines for remotely controlled aircraft. EDF or electric duct fan isstandardAn alternative to the propeller system can make a more efficient engine. Standard propellers usually have 1-4 blades, which can rotate freely in the open air. In contrast, a ducted fan includes a curved duct that conveys air to the blades, and the number of blades is larger. The SkyersJet project seems to use 16 blades, however, a serious problem was encountered during the test.
△SkyersJet project EDF design [来源：SkyersJet项目]
The SkyersJet project stated that their EDF system is designed to provide more effective thrust than existing EDF systems. To achieve this, the diameter of the fan is much larger than other EDF, which requires a lot of torque. Usually, a fan or propeller of this diameter will be used in conjunction with an external rotor motor. However, the team chose internal rotor motors because they have a higher power-to-weight ratio and higher efficiency. The project uses high-strength PETG3D printingBlades, and then install them on a machined aluminum hub.The pipeline itself is composed of multiple components3D printingCame out, and then assembled.
△Test process
Then the team conducted a test. In the video of “Thrust Test 11”, “disaster” happened. Because the rotation speed of the EDF system blades is very fast, and the design of the SkyersJet project increases the diameter of the fan. Therefore, the speed of the tip will increase proportionally. This huge centrifugal force made the blades unbearable and cracked directly, causing the entire system to lose its balance and explode to pieces in an instant.
How to restart the SkyersJet project?
This test shows that high-strength PETG does not seem to be suitable for this application, and it may be possible to use higher-strength materials, such as composite materials with chopped carbon fibers.Therefore, continuous carbon fiber3D printingIt seems more suitable for this application. If the fibers are arranged along the length of the blade, the strength can be significantly increased. Although the test failed this time, it shows that the design and materials can greatly affect the results of the project. Looking forward to the next improvement of the SkyersJet project!
△The moment of burst[来源：SkyersJet]
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