Aurora, ThinGap and Trust Automation Electric lift fans Complete Testing

Photo courtesy Aurora Flight Sciences

By Holly Gonzalez



Aurora Flight Sciences and partners ThinGap and Trust Automation produced electric lift fans through the use of a DC brushless ring motor, a high switching rate controller and a ducted fan.



A contract from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency funded the creation of a “32-inch diameter ducted fan powered by a 70kW electric motor capable of over 430 pounds of thrust,” the company says. Aurora Flight Sciences’ aerostructure design and Thin Gap’s composite ring motor integrated for continuous operation in testing. High switching rates and field-oriented control also were showcased in testing. 



Future development for the fan will include advances in weight reduction, increase in system efficiency, and the exploration of platform-specific applications. Applications in vertical take off and landing vehicles, helicopter tail rotors and aircraft propulsion are expected from the ducted electric lift technology.