THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE PROPELLER MAIN CHARACTERISTICS DETERMINATION IMPROVED METHOD

Abstract

An improved method of the fixed and variable pitch propeller aerodynamic characteristics determining that based on the vortex theory is presented. It is shown that the design of propellers has it`s peculiarities, it does not take into account a number of factors that affect the propeller operation to one or another degree. This actualized the special purpose unmanned aerial vehicles engines propellers aerodynamic characteristics calculating methodology improvement. Since the use of the propeller profiles performances in the design requires the air compressibility correction introduction already after the selection of the propeller, that complicates the design, therefore the mathematical model of the variable-pitch propeller working process has been improved based on the profile model with the correct consideration of the Mach and Reynolds numbers influence on the aerodynamic characteristics of the air screw. This advantage of the developed airfoil model allows the design and verification of a subsonic propeller for ground and flight operations. Methods of design and verification calculations of propeller blades are presented. Verification of the improved methodology was carried out by comparing calculated data with known experimental data. The reliability of the improved aircraft engine propeller main performances determination methodology is substantiated by the correct application of the numerical and experimental methods of aerodynamics, the consistency of theoretical provisions with experimental data. The satisfactory coincidence of the calculated data obtained by the improved method of the engine propeller main performances determination allowed us to draw a conclusion concerning its efficiency. The improved technique for the main performances of an aircraft engine propeller determination does not require knowledge on the propeller profiles aerodynamic characteristics from which the blade is drawn, since these characteristics are calculated based on known geometric data, taking into account the Mach and Reynolds numbers. This allows you to design and build a subsonic propeller of both fixed pitch and variable pitch.