Study and Design of an Axial Fan

Abstract: The cooling system is a crucial part for helicopter operations. Withoutit, hovering flight could not be operated. The cooling system for the maingearbox of a helicopter is composed of radiators and a fan. A fan is anaerodynamic body and as such it can be improved in terms of aerodynamicefficiency. Therefore di↵erent parameters need to be taken into account whendesigning a new axial fan to have good aerodynamic performance. Simulationshave been carried out to investigate the e↵ects of these parameters andcome up with an optimal design based on the study requirements. The fanhas to enable the cooling system to evacuate an amount of thermal power sothat the helicopter can take o↵ with high outside temperatures. This optimaldesign has shown an increase of the mass flow rate up to a factor of abouttwo for a given pressure loss compared to the original fan.