Influence of propeller location, diameter, and rotation direction on aerodynamic efficiency

J. A. Cole, T. Krebs, D. Barcelos, G. Bramesfeld

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this Paper, the integrated propeller–wing system design space is investigated to gain insight into the influence of propeller diameter, location, and rotation direction. To conduct this investigation, a methodology is developed that uses the propeller power required during steady-level flight as a metric for efficiency. Full mutual interaction between the propeller and wing are taken into account in the aerodynamic analysis. To ensure that the propeller is not operating off design, it is designed within an iterative trim loop. This approach is then used to investigate the theory that an inboard-up rotating propeller located at the wing tip is the most aerodynamically efficient configuration through the use of a test case. When considering the trimmed propeller power required, the trends for this case indicate that the optimal propeller for this planform is not an inboard-up rotating propeller at the wing tip, but instead is an inboard-down rotating propeller near the root of the wing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)63-71
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Aircraft
Volume58
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering

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