Let's say that we want to build a helicopter, if we want it to hover in the air then the pushing force of it's fan must equal the force of gravity but in the opposite direction, so how do we calculate the pushing force of a specific fan? What information do we need to know? Like it's rotation rate and it's area.
Also, I've searched about this but I didn't find a clear equation or something, but some people were talking about some variables, like "air going through the fan" what does that mean? And also the "angle of the blades" what is it?
Finally I have another question, is it a requirement for the fan to consists of blades and not a one full circle?
Best Answer
There isn't a clear equation out there, because it doesn't exist. Fluid flow is a chaotic system and the smallest details will change the outcome. Only with some gross assumptions, you can start looking at the performance characteristics of the fan blades (impeller).
The approach typically employed here is to slice each blade into a finite number of stripes, each being a 2D wing shape, with specific lift and drag characteristics as a function of incident airspeed and angle of attack (see this presentation for more details.)
Now because of the design of the fan, the angle of attack depends on the airspeed (do a vector diagram of the velocities) and on the blade design. In the end, you will produce a single curve of axial force vs speed, as well as drag vs. speed.
Now comes the design of the motor which produces different torque at different speeds and try to match up the blade drag to the motor torque to find out how fast will the fan spin. Finally, use the speed and the curves about to get the total axial force.
An online database of airfoil characteristics.