The interplay between geometry and numbers of blade in ducted propeller systems

This study designs and optimizes a ducted propeller (DP) via graphical and numerical methods. Ducted propellers with a thrust-to-omega ratio ranging between 0.12 and 0.20 and blade optimizations at the design point were obtained. The geometric selection of the blade path has a significant effect on the airflow in the duct system. Reasonable optimization of the dimensions of the sheath, tube, and curvature can effectively improve the axial flow. For different aerodynamic loads, the corresponding graphs are produced. Therefore, the number of blades increases, and the overall stall margin is expanded for a particular blade. The large discrepancy between the mechatronic properties of experimental and computational studies of DPs implies that the blade geometry can largely affect the mechatronic properties of DP models, thus offering a new direction for designing the development of propulsion systems. In this article, important studies on the impact of the blade geometry and number on DP thrust generation are discussed.