Aerodynamic performance characterization and static structural analysis of slotted propeller: Part A effect of position

Abstract

In this paper, novel slotted propeller blade design performance is presented in terms of thrust coefficient, power coefficient and efficiency by utilizing ANSYS Fluent. The effects of slotted positions were discussed with respect to baseline APC Slow Flyer 10' x 7' configurations. Seven slot locations with respect to chord length, 12.5%, 25%, 37.5%, 50%, 62.5%, 75% and 87.5% were tested. The result shows that introduction of slot along the propeller blade increases the thrust coefficient, with range of 0.1% to 4.74% for low advance ratio. However, increase in thrust coefficient also causes increase in power coefficient, ranging from 10.38% to 44.59% compared to baseline design, hence reducing propeller efficiency. In addition, structural integrity of the blade was tested. Pressure distribution of the propeller blade demonstrated higher pressure on the back section, and lower pressure at the front section which produces thrust. In addition, the result shows that pressure distribution are highly influenced by changes of advance ratio. The analysis shows that the propeller design managed to withstand stress and strain breaking point when operated at high advance ratio.