How about keeping the props and encasing them in a wire cage this way the blades are protected but there shouldn't be much interference by means of loss in aerodynamics.
Great point, I'm more than positive that those are minor design problems that can be easily addressed. In general, ducted fan technology is much safer overall.
Regular ducted fan will still chop up birds and fingers no problem, even if its a lot safer than exposed propellers. This thing looks like combining ducted fan benefits with the efficiency of a large props, and also has extra safety because of the grid of vanes in front of the props :
You are so correct on many levels. Amazon recently began research & development of Drone delivery of their products. They are using a Octocopter design, in my opinion, this design has extreme liability issues. Ducted fan technology would solve the exposed fan problems.
At the same time, I do know that ducted fan technology will have to go through an innovation process to become state of the art in all aspects. Mainly improve industrial design engineering features that is just a matter of time.
Comments
Looks a bit too heavy for the fans...
Hello,good morning. I would like to ask you that, as its all fans are rotating in one direction as it looks. So how do you balancing the torque.
Hi Scott that link you provided was exactly what I meant. thanks for providing the visual.
The airmule thing is now doing level flight tests. Still tethered and not out of ground effect yet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s94JDmwlZZo
This should be possible to replicate at hobby scale, need some featherweight servos on the vanes, and two big props.
Something line this? http://safeflightcopters.com/
How about keeping the props and encasing them in a wire cage this way the blades are protected but there shouldn't be much interference by means of loss in aerodynamics.
Kert,
Great point, I'm more than positive that those are minor design problems that can be easily addressed. In general, ducted fan technology is much safer overall.
Regular ducted fan will still chop up birds and fingers no problem, even if its a lot safer than exposed propellers.
This thing looks like combining ducted fan benefits with the efficiency of a large props, and also has extra safety because of the grid of vanes in front of the props :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJLC5K3KW0w
Richie,
You are so correct on many levels. Amazon recently began research & development of Drone delivery of their products. They are using a Octocopter design, in my opinion, this design has extreme liability issues. Ducted fan technology would solve the exposed fan problems.
At the same time, I do know that ducted fan technology will have to go through an innovation process to become state of the art in all aspects. Mainly improve industrial design engineering features that is just a matter of time.
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