Prototype Testing of Rim Driven Fan Technology for High-Speed Aircraft Electrical Propulsion

This paper presents the findings of the preliminary testing that has been conducted on a rim-driven fan, electric jet-engine device at Wrexham University (WU). The purpose of the testing was to demonstrate the feasibility of WU's electrical Fast-fan technology and to verify its performance and mechanical integrity. The results have demonstrated that the Fast-fan design is robust and operates very smoothly with minimum vibration. The fan also exhibited very good efficiency characteristics both electrically and thermodynamically. An overview of the fan's design and the test conditions is provided accompanied with a discussion of the results and conclusions. The testing also demonstrated that to obtain a high efflux velocity an element of the thrust must be sacrificed, or input power increased and discusses how the Fast -fan design is optimised to satisfy both of these conditions. This paper should provide confidence to individuals and organisations wishing to investigate or adopt rim-driven technology for aircraft electrical propulsion solutions.