This paper discusses the aerodynamic analysis and design of a novel, hubless, contra-rotating, rim-driven fan (RDF) device. Rim-driven thruster technology has been used for marine propulsion for decades, yet RDF technology has not been comparably developed for aerospace applications. This paper demonstrates that an innovative two-stage contra-rotating RDF configuration provides the potential for a significant increase in the available thrust and efflux velocity when compared with existing technologies. The analysis was conducted for an RDF device with a relatively small fan diameter of 120 mm. However, the findings of this study can be equally applied to the performance of much larger and more powerful RDF propulsion units. This would also include devices having multiple contra-rotating paired stages, for example, four, six, or more rotors to permit higher-pressure ratios and exhaust airspeeds suitable for large modern aircraft propulsion.

本文讨论了新型无轮毂，反向旋转，边缘驱动风扇（RDF）装置的空气动力学分析和设计。轮辋驱动的推进器技术已经在海上推进中使用了数十年，但是RDF技术尚未在航空航天应用中进行比较开发。本文证明，与现有技术相比，创新的两级反向旋转RDF配置可显着提高可用推力和外排速度。对具有120 mm较小风扇直径的RDF设备进行了分析。但是，这项研究的发现可以同等地应用于更大，更强大的RDF推进装置的性能。这还将包括具有多个反向配对的级的设备，例如四个，六个，