Propeller and Propeller-in-Wing Thrust Vectoring

Propeller and Propeller-in-Wing Thrust Vectoring

Presenter(s)

Grace Gabrielle Culpepper

Description

In this study, we investigate the efficiency of a thrust vectoring system utilizing a set of vanes designed to create forward force at a minimum loss in net thrust, the system itself placed in both a stand-alone propeller configuration and a propeller-in-wing configuration. Both static and wind-on force-based experiments were conducted at the University of Dayton Low Speed Wind Tunnel (UDLSWT) with off-the-shelf R/C propellers. A square propeller sheath was incorporated for static testing and a propeller-wing integrated setup was the focus of wind-on experiments. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the effect on thrust vectoring of vane tilt angle and propeller placement with respect to the upper surface of the integrated wing. Static test results indicated notable improvement in vane performance when placing the vane system in a wing as compared to the stand-alone sheathed design. Thrust vectoring was achieved, along with subsequent changes in pitching moment, by increasing vane deflection angle. Wind tunnel test results of the integrated propeller-in-wing system for the standard 90° pitch orientation indicated successful thrust vectoring below the advance ratio of 0.3, which is practical for most relevant applications. The 75° pitch orientation of the propeller-vane system observed increased thrust vectoring capabilities extending to an advance ratio of 0.7. Sensitivity analysis results revealed that the case of the propeller exposed to the flow freestream outperformed that of the propeller embedded in the test wing in overall efficiency, though the embedded featured a better thrust vectoring capability.

Publication Date

4-22-2021

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Sid Gunasekaran

Primary Advisor's Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords

Stander Symposium project, School of Engineering

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Propeller and Propeller-in-Wing Thrust Vectoring

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