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The efficiency analysis of high-altitude propeller based on vortex lattice lifting line theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2016

Xue-ke Zheng ,
Xiao-liang Wang ,
Zhen-jin Cheng  and
Ding Han
Xue-ke Zheng*
Affiliation:
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Xiao-liang Wang
Affiliation:
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Zhen-jin Cheng
Affiliation:
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Ding Han
Affiliation:
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
*
zxk2046@sjtu.edu.cn
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Abstract

In this paper, we proposed a simple approach to analyse the efficiency and propulsive characteristics of the high-altitude propeller in accordance to the Vortex Lattice Lifting line Method (VLM) theory, which is commonly used in preliminary design and parametric studies of propeller propulsion. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method was used to obtain aerofoil aerodynamic data. The optimal pitch angle and propeller blade chord length (along the radial direction) can be calculated using the information from the database. The propeller wake model sees helical slipstreams applied to both lightly and moderately loaded propellers. The proposed method is capable of identifying the optimal efficiency through varying the number of propeller blades, radius and the rotational speed. The relationship between the optimal efficiency and design parameters is then established. This method was verified using CFD calculations.

Keywords

High-altitude propelleroptimal efficiencyVortex Lattice Lifting line Methodpropeller wake model
Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 121 , Issue 1236 , February 2017 , pp. 141 - 162
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2016 

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