Study of the small multicopters bladeless propulsors characteristics

Abstract

The study examines the fundamental technical characteristics of bladeless propulsors intended for advanced turbofan propulsion systems in multicopter unmanned aerial vehicles. The research identifies optimal aspect ratios that maximize thrust and thrust efficiency while analyzing the impact of fan radius and annular gap thickness on propulsion efficiency under constant flow rate and length conditions. The findings indicate that the most efficient configuration features a fan radius of 175 mm, a length of 150 mm, and an air mass flow rate of 0,3 kg/s, yielding an exit Mach number of 0,42. This configuration generates a thrust of 44 N while maintaining high-speed jet momentum conservation at 92 %, under a total inlet pressure of 17,800 Pa.