Session: 01-14 Propellers and Open Rotors II

Paper Number: 153993

Preliminary Design and Performance Analysis of Aircraft Propellers Using a 0-D Model 

This work attempts to create a design process for predicting the performance of an aeronautical propeller with generic geometrical features. The process comprises of an aerodynamic calibration, performance calculations and a scaling capability, creating a fast and accurate preliminary design tool. Initially, a comprehensive description of the performance and aerodynamic polar models for propellers is provided. The polar model, which incorporates Mach number effects and scaling capabilities, is calibrated using relevant literature data with respect to both its aerodynamic and performance results. In addition, it is subsequently validated against other open-access datasets. Following, a case study was conducted to investigate the effects of blade number, diameter and activity factor on the propeller performance. Through this process, it is highlighted how a user can conveniently size the propeller activity factor, when a maximum lift coefficient is implemented. Finally, the already calibrated aerodynamic polar is successfully scaled based on a set of different operating points, accurately predicting their behaviour as well. These analyses demonstrate the model’s capacity to deliver accurate and rapid results for the propeller performance. Consequently, this work establishes a systematic and accurate modeling process for designing aircraft propellers in a preliminary design phase, while also contributing a few open-access baseline cases for future works to build upon.

Presenting Author: Michail K. Psaropoulos Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Presenting Author Biography: Michail Psaropoulos is a PhD candidate at the Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery, in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. His thesis is focusing on engine performance and neural net modelling.

Authors:

Michail K. Psaropoulos Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Vasilis G. Gkoutzamanis Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Anestis I. Kalfas Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Panagiotis Giannakakis SAFRAN SA