Study on torque of tangential fan in three operating mode

Abstract

This paper is dedicated to the load moment calculation on the shaft of the tangential fan that is used with an electric motor to control the flight of an aircraft. The tangential fan can act as a propulsor and as an actuator for a gas-dynamic drive. In the latter case the tangential fan can work in three operating modes: compressor, generator and mixed mode because of different constructive compositions. In compressor mode the torque of an electric drive is transmitted to the tangential fan, which generates the thrust. In generator mode the tangential fan spins because of the incoming flow and the electric drive induces a current. In mixed mode the tangential fan spins because of the incoming flow and the electric fan additionally slows or fastens the flow. Load moment equations for the said modes are obtained using vector diagrams and the law of energy conservation. Solving the equations showed the load moment characteristics. It was observed that the increment of the load moment with increasing velocity of the incoming flow is non-linear. The obtained results enable the developers to estimate the power characteristics of an actuator based on a tangential fan at the design stage.