The paper describes the development of a new portable test capability for an electric ducted fan (EDF) engine to support sustainable aircraft propulsion education at Western Michigan University and the project outcomes. The objective of the first-of-its-kind EDF engine lab is to enrich classroom learning by bringing hands-on experience into classrooms and lecture hall. The EDF engine lab is purposely designed to operate with no external power source. Most hardware including the EDF engine, batteries, speed controller, microcontroller boards, and the sensors for data acquisition are commercially available. Variable inlet vanes are used for inlet mass flow control and a thrust-vector control is used for single-axis thrust vectoring. 3D printing is extensively used throughout the build to custom-make support structures and control surfaces. Computational fluid dynamics simulations of the EDF engine have also been developed. The lab facility is constructed. Measured and simulated propulsion quantities, such as engine thrust, torque, and nozzle exit velocity are in good agreement. The portable EDF engine lab is successfully piloted by students in a senior level aerospace propulsion course.
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