Propeller Design Workshop

Presented by David J. Gall Gall Aerospace David@Gall.com www.PropellerDesignWorkshop.com

Theory and design of practical propellers, Part 3. Practical Prop Design

PROPELLER DESIGN WORKSHOP Practical Propeller Design

Introduction
H. Dietsius, N.A.C.A. TN-127 (1923)
The Air Propeller, Its Strength and Correct Shape, (Translated)

F. Weick, N.A.C.A. TN-238 (1926)

A Simple Method for Determining the Strength of Propellers, fourth in a series: TN-235 thru TN-238

ANC-9 (1956)
Available Where???
Practical Propeller Design

Introduction
These are the ONLY References Ive Found None of them account for the inplane forces caused by modern highcompression internal combustion engines

Practical Propeller Design

Introduction

Practical Propeller Design

Outline: Theory and design of practical propellers, Part 3.

1.Reality check: Those darn physical constraints 2.Reynolds' number and Mach number 3.What about those tips? 4.From minimum induced loss to maximum efficiency: The effect of viscosity on all those theories 5.Fuselage/nacelle blockage (a.k.a. "Source-sink slowdown") 6.Optimum Propellers 7.Airfoil choices 8.How to make a proper hub 9.Proper design of pusher props 10.Ground and in-flight adjustable pitch and constant speed props 11.Structural requirements 12.By Request

PRACTICAL PROPELLER DESIGN Practical Propeller Design

1. Physical Constraints
Diameter Number of Blades Hub Thickness Thickness of the Blank Machine Capacity

Practical Propeller Design

2. Reynolds and Mach Numbers

Subsonic Propellers
Use Rules-of-Thumb or Calculate Your Critical Mach Number then Adjust Diameter to Keep Tip Speeds Below MCR

Transonic Propellers
See NASA for Un-Ducted Fans, etc.

Supersonic Propellers
Practical Propeller Design

Yes, NASA went there, too

2. Reynolds and Mach Numbers

Practical Propeller Design

2. Reynolds and Mach Numbers

Practical Propeller Design

2. Reynolds and Mach Numbers

Practical Propeller Design

3. What About Those Tips?

What do you have after you cut off the tip? Winglets Hoerner Tips
Curving Up Curving Down

Elliptical Tips Round Tips Sheared Wingtip Practical Propeller Design

4. Viscosity
Theodorsen (and all prior) adds the viscous effects after the fact Thats OK, especially with round blade shanks
The coefficient of drag is constant at any RPM

The effect of viscosity is minimal so long as the coefficient of drag isnt too high
Practical Propeller Design

(Ohh, those round blade shanks are

5. Fuselage/Nacelle Blockage
Larrabee et. al De-Pitch after the fact to accommodate the reduced inflow velocity This loses part of the relative wind thats used in the algorithm So, it deviates from the Goldstein distribution

Practical Propeller Design

6. Optimum Propellers

Practical Propeller Design

7. Airfoil Choices
The Traditional Airfoil Choices
Clark Y RAF 6 NACA One series NACA Six series Eppler Others?

Practical Propeller Design

7. Airfoil Choices
Can You Manufacture It? Design to What Coefficient of Lift? No Sharp Leading Edges Watch Out for Thin Trailing Edges Try to Stay Within a Family

Ease of Thickness Scaling Ease of Performance Prediction (Modeling) Ease of Manufacture Practical Propeller Design

7. Airfoil Choices

Practical Propeller Design

7. Airfoil Choices

Practical Propeller Design

7. Airfoil Choices

Practical Propeller Design

7. Airfoil Choices

Practical Propeller Design

7. Airfoil Choices

Practical Propeller Design

8. How to Make a Prop(er) Hub

Must Carry ALL Loads Must Mate Mechanically to Engine
Prop Flange and/or Extension Must Deliver Engine Power to Propeller

See Sport Aviation archives

Practical Propeller Design

8. How to Make a Prop(er) Hub

Practical Propeller Design

8. How to Make a Prop(er) Hub

Practical Propeller Design

8. How to Make a Prop(er) Hub

Practical Propeller Design

8. How to Make a Prop(er) Hub

Practical Propeller Design

8. How to Make a Prop(er) Hub

Sensenich Website: Wood Propellers: Installation, Operation, & Maintenance Drive Lugs DO NOT Drive the Prop Static Friction Drives the Prop Static Friction Must be Greater Than the Torque Forces Developed in Power Pulses PLUS A LARGE MARGIN for Prop Practical Propeller Design Strikes from Lost Exhaust Pipes, etc.

9. Design of Pusher Propellers

Hub Goes on Backwards
Center Bore on Front Face Drive Lug Bores on Front Face

Aerodynamics Much More Difficult

NO, I dont want to do a partially-ducted channel-wing contra-rotating asymmetrical pusher propeller with winglets (I might consider it if it were symmetrical) Practical Propeller Design

10. Adjustable Pitch/Const. Speed

Discussion

Practical Propeller Design

11. Structural Requirements

ANC-9

Practical Propeller Design

11. Structural Requirements

Practical Propeller Design

11. Structural Requirements

Practical Propeller Design

11. Structural Requirements

Practical Propeller Design

11. Structural Requirements

Practical Propeller Design

11. Structural Requirements

Practical Propeller Design

12. By Request
Airfoils Sweep Twist Noise Resonance Materials Contra-Rotating (Dual Rotation) Shrouded Ducted

Practical Propeller Design

Propeller Design Workshop

David J. Gall Gall Aerospace David@Gall.com www.PropellerDesignWorkshop.com