Aerodynamic Analysis and Design of a Rim-Driven Fan for Fast Flight
Robert Cameron Bolam, Yuriy Vagapov, Richard Day, Alecksey Anuchin
Abstract
This paper discusses the aerodynamic analysis and design of a novel, hubless, contra-rotating, rim-driven fan (RDF) device. Rim-driven thruster technology has been used for marine propulsion for decades, yet RDF technology has not been comparably developed for aerospace applications. This paper demonstrates that an innovative two-stage contra-rotating RDF configuration provides the potential for a significant increase in the available thrust and efflux velocity when compared with existing technologies. The analysis was conducted for an RDF device with a relatively small fan diameter of 120 mm. However, the findings of this study can be equally applied to the performance of much larger and more powerful RDF propulsion units. This would also include devices having multiple contra-rotating paired stages, for example, four, six, or more rotors to permit higher-pressure ratios and exhaust airspeeds suitable for large modern aircraft propulsion.