RCAIDE.Library.Methods.Powertrain.Converters.Ducted_Fan.design_ducted_fan

design_ducted_fan#

design_ducted_fan(ducted_fan, new_regression_results=False, keep_files=True)[source]#

Designs and optimizes a ducted fan propulsor using either Rankine-Froude Momentum Theory or Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) with DFDC integration.

Parameters:

  • ducted_fan (Ducted_Fan) – Ducted fan component to be designed

  • dfdc_bin_name (str, optional) – Name of DFDC executable, defaults to ‘dfdc’

  • new_regression_results (bool, optional) – Flag to generate new regression results, defaults to False

  • keep_files (bool, optional) – Flag to keep DFDC input/output files, defaults to True

Returns:

Updates ducted_fan object with:

  • Blade geometry (twist, chord, radius distributions)

  • Performance characteristics at design point

  • Performance surrogate models (BEMT only)

Return type:

None

Notes

Two fidelity levels are available:

  1. Rankine-Froude Momentum Theory:

    • Simple momentum theory calculations

    • Uses polynomial fits for performance coefficients

    • Quick preliminary design estimates

  2. Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT):

    • Detailed blade design using DFDC

    • Generates performance surrogate models

    • Accounts for 3D effects and losses

    • Requires external DFDC executable

The BEMT method creates surrogate models for:

  • Thrust

  • Power

  • Efficiency

  • Torque

  • Thrust coefficient

  • Power coefficient

Major Assumptions

  • Steady state operation

  • Incompressible flow for Rankine-Froude

  • No blade-wake interaction

  • Linear interpolation for surrogate models

  • US Standard Atmosphere 1976

References

[1] Drela, M., “DFDC - Ducted Fan Design Code”, MIT Aero & Astro, 2005 [2] Esotec Developments, “DFDC Documentation”, http://www.esotec.org/sw/DFDC.html

See also

RCAIDE.Library.Components.Powertrain.Converters.Ducted_Fan, RCAIDE.Library.Methods.Powertrain.Converters.Ducted_Fan.compute_ducted_fan_performance

clean_data(raw_data, mach, tip_mach, altitude, convergence_matrix)[source]#