Wing-Integrated Ducted Fan with Sealed Louvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VTOL aircraft designs face challenges in efficiently managing propulsion during all flight phases, including take-off, transition, cruising, and landing, with existing solutions often resulting in thrust losses due to turbulence and visibility issues during cruising.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a ducted fan integrated within the wing, utilizing aerodynamically optimized louvers for inlet and outlet control, which can be sealed during cruising to reduce pressure compensation and enhance performance, along with a kinematic system for efficient airflow management and thrust vectorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a free-traveling rotor is used for propulsion, then the aircraft can achieve vertical take-off and landing capability, but thrust losses occur due to turbulence at the blade tips
Solution Approach 1:
The ducted fan integrates the propulsion function with the wing structure, merging the rotor assembly into the wing body. This combines the functions of lift generation and propulsion while reducing thrust losses through the cylindrical housing that contains the blade tip turbulence
Solution Approach 2:
The ducted fan serves multiple functions: it provides vertical lift during take-off and landing, generates forward thrust during transition and cruising, and its cylindrical housing simultaneously reduces turbulence losses while integrating into the wing structure
2Productivity
If the ducted fan is left open during cruising, then airflow management is simple, but pressure compensation occurs between upper and lower wing surfaces reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The louvers at the inlet and outlet of the ducted fan are designed to be movable, transitioning between open and closed positions. During take-off and transition, the louvers are open to allow maximum airflow. During cruising, the louvers close to seal the ducted fan, preventing pressure compensation and optimizing wing pressure distribution for enhanced performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow resistance parameter by adjusting louver position. When louvers are closed during cruising, flow resistance increases to prevent pressure equalization between wing surfaces, maintaining the pressure differential needed for optimal aerodynamic performance
3Productivity
If louvers are added to seal the ducted fan during cruising, then pressure compensation is avoided and performance is enhanced, but the kinematic system for opening and closing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The louver system is divided into multiple individual segments that can be independently actuated. Each louver is a separate element that can be opened or closed, allowing for distributed control and simplified individual component design while achieving the overall sealing function
4Productivity
If the ducted fan is integrated in the wing, then thrust losses are reduced and performance is improved, but the outer sheathing is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The ducted fan assembly is nested within the wing structure, with the cylindrical housing containing the fan blades and being integrated into the wing's internal volume. This nesting allows the propulsion system to be housed within the wing without significantly disrupting the external wing contour and outer sheathing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves propulsion efficiency, reduces thrust losses, and provides an aesthetically appealing design by minimizing rotor visibility during cruising, while maintaining performance across hovering, transitioning, and cruising phases.
Implementation Method 1
The air is deflected twice at an angle (19) of approximately 90°: first by 90° into the channel passing through the wing in order to accelerate the flow with the embedded ducted fan
Implementation Method 2
the ducted fan in the wing benefits from the compression in the wing channel, which provides an additional overall boost to the aircraft according to the invention
Implementation Method 3
the wing profile in cruising generates a considerable negative pressure above the wing and a positive pressure below the wing
Implementation Method 4
The cylindrical housing surrounding the fan can significantly reduce the thrust losses as a result of turbulence at the blade tips
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft includes a wing having an integrated ducted fan. The ducted fan is enclosed at least in sections by a feed lip. The feed lip has a flat curvature on the bow side and a comparatively strong curvature on the rear side.