Will this centrifugal fan design work?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of using a centrifugal fan design for a VTOL RC craft. The user plans to implement a centrifugal fan with truncated cones to direct airflow downwards, powered by a chainsaw engine. The design aims to maximize air movement by utilizing larger diameter fan blades, which require lower rotational speeds. Participants provided insights on the design's theoretical basis and referenced existing principles related to jet engine compressors.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of centrifugal fan mechanics
  • Knowledge of VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft design
  • Familiarity with airflow dynamics and particle acceleration
  • Basic principles of jet engine components, specifically compressors
NEXT STEPS
  • Research centrifugal fan design principles and airflow optimization techniques
  • Explore the application of truncated cones in directing airflow
  • Study the integration of chainsaw engines in RC craft propulsion systems
  • Investigate formulas related to fan efficiency and air movement calculations
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, hobbyists in RC aircraft design, and anyone interested in advanced fan propulsion systems will benefit from this discussion.

blainiac
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Hello everyone.

I am working on a VTOL RC craft that I hope will work. I was planning on using a centrifugal fan to accelerate air radially (instead of a squirrel-cage design), and putting 45 degree truncated cones around it to direct it downwards. I wrote a program with many small particles accelerating outward from a 'fan', and they bounced as predicted off the shrouds. I was just wondering if you think this would work in real life.

I was thinking if the fan blades were at a pretty large distance and tall, it could move quite a bit of air. With a larger diameter, it wouldn't need to spin as quickly as a smaller unit.

I was going to build this using a chainsaw engine to move two centrifugal fans (only one is shown in the drawings), and make truncated cones from plastic. I was wondering if anybody had any advice or input for this. I was also wondering if anyone knew any useful formulas to aid in the design process.
 

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Thank you for your reply. I read the link provided, very interesting stuff. So basically this is the initial part of a jet engine, minus the combustion chamber and turbine? I wonder if it would work well still to fly with just the 'compressor'.
 

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