Otis Singleton
Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs) are a type of jet engine that uses a ducted fan, which is a thrust-generating mechanical fan or propeller mounted within a cylindrical duct or shroud. They are sometimes referred to as electric jet engines and are commonly used in remote-control (RC) aircraft and urban air mobility (UAM) designs. EDFs are simpler and safer than traditional jet engines and do not produce the same level of thrust or carbon emissions. They are also quieter and offer better opportunities for thrust vectoring. However, they have drawbacks, such as increased weight due to the added structure of the shroud and complex duct design requirements. Several electric aviation startups have designed or are developing ducted-fan-powered aircraft, but current battery technology may not be sufficient for larger aircraft.
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What You'll Learn
Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs) are not the same as jet engines
EDFs are typically used in model aircraft and RC projects. They are much simpler than jet engines and produce thrust differently. EDFs rely on "mass flow" rather than pressure, meaning they need to breathe freely and have large open inlets. They are also smaller than jet engines, with EDFs in RC airplanes usually having fans between 30mm and 90mm in size.
Jet engines, on the other hand, are typically larger and more complex. A standard jet engine, known as a turbojet, consists of five main components: a fan, compressor, combustor, turbine, and nozzle. The fan sucks in large quantities of air, while the compressor increases the air pressure. Fuel is then mixed with the compressed air and ignited in the combustor. The exiting exhaust gases turn the turbine, which powers the frontal intake fan, and the nozzle maximizes thrust.
While EDFs can simulate the effects of a jet engine on a smaller scale, they are not the same. EDFs have less power and do not produce thrust in the same way as jet engines. Additionally, EDFs are electric and do not use fuel, whereas jet engines rely on burning fuel to create the necessary thrust.
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EDFs are simpler and don't produce thrust in the same way
Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs) are a type of ducted fan that uses an electric motor to drive the fan. Ducted fans are essentially large axial fans spinning within an outer housing or cowl, resembling a turbofan jet engine but without the jet engine in the centre. The fan may be mounted directly on the powerplant output shaft or driven remotely via an extended drive shaft and gearing.
EDFs are simpler than jet engines and do not produce thrust in the same way. While jet engines rely on a complex chain reaction involving fuel combustion and exhaust gases to generate thrust, EDFs rely on "mass flow" rather than pressure. This means that the thrust produced by an EDF is dependent on the mass of air flowing through the fan by sheer volume. As such, EDFs require large open inlets and smooth rounded lips on the inlet to facilitate the airflow.
The duct or shroud surrounding the fan in an EDF serves several functions. It reduces aerodynamic losses or drag by minimising the vortices created by air flowing around the blade tips. This increases the overall efficiency of the fan and can either provide increased thrust or allow for a smaller fan size. The duct also provides acoustic shielding, significantly reducing noise emissions. Additionally, it acts as a protective device, preventing ground staff and other objects from coming into contact with the spinning blades and protecting the blades and aircraft from impact damage.
While EDFs offer advantages in terms of simplicity and noise reduction, they have lower power output compared to jet engines. EDFs do not provide the same level of thrust as jet engines and experience "thrust lag," which can affect the aircraft's ability to respond instantly in certain situations. Therefore, while EDFs can be used to simulate the effects of a jet engine on a smaller scale, they are not direct replacements for jet engines in all applications.
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EDFs are used in RC jets and model aircraft
Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs) are a type of ducted fan that uses an electric motor to drive the fan, as opposed to other power sources such as piston, rotary, or combustion engines. Ducted fans are essentially large axial fans spinning within an outer housing or cowl, resembling a turbofan jet engine but without the jet engine in the centre. EDFs are used in a variety of applications, including RC jets and model aircraft.
In the context of RC jets and model aircraft, EDFs offer several advantages. Firstly, they are relatively simple in design and operation compared to jet engines. While EDFs do not produce thrust in the same way as jet engines, they can be used to simulate the effects of a jet engine on a smaller scale. This makes them a popular choice for hobbyists and enthusiasts building and flying RC jets and model aircraft.
EDFs also provide improved efficiency and performance compared to free propellers. The duct surrounding the fan reduces aerodynamic losses or drag, allowing for increased thrust and improved aircraft performance. Additionally, the duct provides acoustic shielding, significantly reducing noise emissions. This makes EDF-powered RC jets and model aircraft more suitable for use in urban or populated areas.
However, there are also some considerations when using EDFs in RC jets and model aircraft. EDFs require careful balancing to minimise vibrations, as an unbalanced fan can lead to various issues during flight. Additionally, EDFs do not provide instant thrust like a propeller, so pilots must be aware of this difference when flying and adjusting throttle settings.
Overall, EDFs have opened new possibilities in the RC and model aircraft community, offering improved performance, efficiency, and noise reduction compared to traditional propulsion systems. With advancements in battery technology and ducted fan design, we may see even more widespread adoption of EDFs in the future, potentially revolutionising the RC jet and model aircraft hobby.
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EDFs are quieter and safer than jet engines
Electric Ducted Fan (EDF) jets are a type of thrust-generating mechanical fan or propeller mounted within a cylindrical duct or shroud. They are powered by electric motors and work by accelerating the air drawn into them to create thrust. EDFs are often used in model aircraft and are considered safer and quieter alternatives to jet engines.
EDFs are quieter than jet engines due to their duct or shroud, which provides acoustic shielding and significantly reduces noise emissions. Additionally, EDFs with a higher number of blades can produce a more jet-like "whoosh" sound, which is less annoying than the whine of lower blade count EDFs. The higher blade count also allows the fan to run at a lower RPM, further reducing noise levels.
The duct or shroud of an EDF also acts as a protective device, shielding ground personnel from the spinning blades and protecting the blades from external debris or objects. This enhances safety compared to jet engines, which do not have a similar protective mechanism.
Furthermore, EDFs are generally smaller in scale and are often used in remote-controlled (RC) aircraft. The smaller size of EDFs reduces the speed and airspace required for flying, thereby decreasing the risk of disorientation, which is a common hazard with faster jet engines.
While EDFs are quieter and safer in certain aspects, it is important to note that they have limitations in terms of power and thrust when compared to jet engines. EDFs rely on "mass flow" rather than pressure, and their thrust-generating capabilities are generally lower than those of jet engines.
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EDFs are powered by electric motors
Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs) are powered by electric motors. They are essentially large axial fans spinning within an outer housing or cowl, resembling a modern turbofan jet engine but without the jet engine in the centre. The fan may be mounted directly on the powerplant output shaft or driven remotely via an extended drive shaft and gearing. In the latter arrangement, several fans may be powered by a single powerplant.
EDFs are quieter than jet engines and do not produce carbon emissions. They are also safer for ground personnel as the shroud protects them from accidentally contacting the spinning blades. The shroud also protects the blades from external debris and objects.
EDFs have been used for decades in hobbyist applications such as remote-control aircraft and are among the most popular choices for propulsion in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) or urban air mobility designs. Several electric regional air startups have revealed designs for ducted-fan-powered aircraft, including Whisper Aero’s Whisper Jet concept, which aims to reduce noise by pushing the blade pass frequency into the ultrasonic range.
However, today's most advanced batteries and ducted fans are still inadequate to power larger aircraft for longer distances. For example, Heart Aerospace is developing 19- and 30-seat electric planes, but these will use electric motors driving conventional propellers rather than ducted fans. Nevertheless, many in the industry assume that battery technology and ducted fan performance will drastically improve in the coming years, making practical mass electric flight possible for the first time.
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Frequently asked questions
An EDF is a type of jet engine that uses an electric motor to drive a fan within a cylindrical duct or shroud. The fan provides thrust or lift, and the duct surrounds the fan to reduce aerodynamic losses or drag, increasing efficiency.
An EDF relies on "mass flow" rather than pressure, meaning it needs a large volume of air flowing through the fan. This is achieved through large open inlets with smooth, rounded lips. The fan does not provide instant thrust like a conventional jet engine.
EDFs are quieter than conventional jet engines and produce no carbon emissions. They also offer good protection from the spinning blades and are safer in the event of propeller failure. Additionally, EDFs are simpler in design and have opened up new possibilities in the RC hobby market.
While EDFs have been used for decades in hobbyist applications, they have not yet been able to power aircraft for popular regional routes. However, advancements in battery technology and ducted fan performance are expected within the next few years, which could make practical mass electric flight possible.
