Electric Ducted Fan

I had some spare BLDC RC motors lying around - rated at 4000Kv, 6 pole, 24mm diameter, 30mm long and I wanted to design my own EDF (Electric Ducted Fan) for use in a VTOT (Vertical Take Off Thing) that is yet to be realised.

There are two types of mounting ducts, a few different fan designs, a cowl and safety screen.  They are mainly interchangeable.   The first fan design test used a 3C LiPo, ran at 15,000RPM and could lift 250g at 18A.  At 30A (my ESC max) it only managed to lift 300g.  I got a new ESC and managed to get 450g of lift, just before a major melt down.  I didn't manage to get a speed measurement in time, but I recon 20-25,000 RPM.

BIG WARNING - wear eye and face protection when testing these fans.  When a bit of blade breaks off at 15,000 RPM and hits you in the face you'll know it - I did and was lucky not to loose an eye or something.

Use supports for the cowl and fans.  When slicing the fans, make them strong - very strong, otherwise they will disintegrate!  Motor is press fitted onto fan and glued with CA.  Use M3 standard screws to attach motor to base plate.

I've also included FreeCAD design files for all of these parts.

Test #1 - dual system

Enjoy and keep safe,

mark