Blade Loadings for Hovercraft and other Radial Flow Fans

Abstract

The layout of a hovercraft leads naturally to the choice of a radial outward flow fan, but the aerodynamic requirements are more stringent than those normally associated with industrial fans. In this paper a blade loading criterion used extensively in axial flow compressor practice has been adapted to the more general case of radial flow fans. Using this criterion maximum fluid deflections and maximum temperature rise coefficients have been calculated. It is shown that fluid deflections in radial fans should be substantially lower than those in axial flow machines. For high work output the ratio of rotor outside diameter to rotor inside diameter should be as close to unity as is mechanically possible. Inlet guide vanes would be of no benefit to the conventional industrial type centrifugal fan, but for such applications as hovercraft inlet guide vanes could be most beneficial. The paper outlines those areas in which further research is necessary fully to confirm the approach, and hence the quantitative values, given in this paper.