Custom Front Intake Rotor & Inlet Geometry Design for Ducted UAV Propulsion

Front Intake Rotor and Ducted-Fuselage Propulsion Design Review We are developing a ducted-fuselage UAV / RC aircraft propulsion concept. A CFD diagnostic phase has already been completed. The results indicate that the internal duct / coaxial propeller system is the current promising baseline, while the existing market-style external/front propeller does not significantly increase duct mass flow or improve the downstream internal propellers. We are now looking for a fluid dynamics / turbomachinery / rotor-aerodynamics engineer to help us with the next design phase. The objective is not to use a conventional open propeller at the front. We need support to design or select a more suitable front intake-flow rotor and inlet geometry that can: - collect / induce air from the front and side region into the fuselage duct, - increase mass flow through the duct, - reduce inlet separation and pressure losses, - improve the operating condition of the internal coaxial propellers, - and improve overall system performance. The previous CFD study showed that increasing the existing front propeller RPM mainly increased its own small thrust, but did not meaningfully improve the internal propellers. Therefore, we believe the issue is rotor/inlet geometry, not only RPM. The current internal propulsion baseline includes two internal propellers. One of the internal propellers was modified during CFD preparation by mirroring / reversing the pitch direction from the available propeller geometry. We need the next engineer to review whether this rear internal propeller geometry is acceptable as a CFD baseline only, or whether it needs to be properly 3D modeled / redesigned for future simulation and prototyping. Experience required: - ducted fan / EDF / mixed-flow fan / impeller design, - propeller and rotor aerodynamics, - rotor + duct / inlet interaction, - turbomachinery or rotating machinery aerodynamics, - CFD-supported aerodynamic design, - UAV / RC aircraft propulsion experience preferred. Required scope: 1. Review the existing CFD report, geometry concept, and current propulsion layout. 2. Assess why the current external/front propeller does not act as an effective intake booster. 3. Recommend 1–3 suitable front intake-flow rotor / inlet design concepts. 4. Advise whether the solution should be a larger-diameter rotor, mixed-flow impeller, shrouded fan, scoop-like/backward-swept rotor, bellmouth/thinner inlet, or another configuration. 5. Review the internal rear propeller modification and advise whether it needs to be properly 3D modeled or redesigned as a manufacturable opposite-hand / reverse-pitch propeller. 6. Define the most promising next geometry to be simulated. 7. Provide enough technical direction, sketches, CAD guidance, or geometry requirements for CFD validation. Expected deliverables: - technical review of the current CFD findings, - recommendation for the next front intake rotor concept, - recommendation for the inlet geometry, - assessment of the modified rear internal propeller geometry, - clear next-step design direction suitable for CFD testing, - optional CAD / 3D modeling support if available. Important note: We are not looking only for another CFD operator. We need someone who can support the aerodynamic design logic of the front intake rotor and duct interaction. CFD validation can be done afterward, but the immediate need is to identify or develop the correct rotor/inlet concept.