Performance Analysis of an Aircraft Propeller

Propellers convert rotary motion from rotating shafts to provide propulsive force. The type of propeller required for a particular application depends on various parameters like the power required, thrust generated, efficiency etc. These parameters are determined using QPROP software. QPROP is an analysis program for predicting the performance of propeller-motor combinations. Its intent is to provide an alternative to the existing prop/motor simulation programs, which use relatively simple propeller models, and assume a brushed DC motor type. QPROP has a relatively sophisticated and accurate prop aerodynamic model, and a general motor model which can be implemented via a user-supplied subroutine if necessary. The input parameters required for QPROP are the aerodynamic properties of the propeller (coefficient of lift CL, coefficient of drag CD, blade angle etc.) along with the RPM of the propeller and linear velocity of the aircraft. To determine the aerodynamic properties, XFLR5 software is used. In XFLR5, the representative airfoil shape of the propeller is given as input. Other input parameters required for XFLR5 analysis are, Reynolds number, range of angle of attack, critical speed etc. Once the analysis is completed, the properties obtained are given as input to QPROP. Next step is simulation in QPROP. The simulation is carried out for a particular value of advance ratio (J), which will give a certain value of coefficient of power (Cp), coefficient of thrust (Ct) and efficiency of propeller. Advance ratio (J) is defined as ratio of linear velocity of aircraft to RPM of the propeller. Next, the QPROP is simulated for various values of advance ratio. Corresponding to each simulation Cp, Ct and efficiency values are noted. Now, graphs of Cp vs J, Ct vs J and efficiency vs J are plotted. These are the performance curves for a particular propeller. Now the same procedure is repeated for various propellers to determine the best propeller for a certain application.

Procedure followed: 1) The radial distances from the centre of the hub and chord length are measured (using vernier caliper/steel ruler) for all the stations in one blade of the propeller. Make sure that while measuring the chord length, the chord is horizontal so that the measurement is of the chord and not that of the projection of the chord length. Once the measurements are taken, the cross-sections are cut out. Each cross-section is smoothened carefully using files, so that the airfoil shape is accurate. This cross-

section is then painted with a suitable color so as to provide contrast and the shape is clearly visible. Now, a close/zoomed picture of the airfoil shape is taken.

2) Next step is to get the aerodynamic properties of this airfoil section. For this purpose, XFLR5 software is used. Now, XFLR5 takes input as name.dat file, where the file contains the co-ordinates of the airfoil section. These co-ordinates can be obtained from XFLR5 itself in the following way a) Open Direct Foil Design in XFLR5. Load the picture taken as the background image. b) Using the control points of the spline curve, trace out the airfoil shape.

c) After that, export the spline to file. This will save the airfoil shape as a name.dat file. d) Now input this .dat file, then normalize and de-rotate the airfoil shape.

3) Now for the purpose of analysis, best fitting NACA foil is chosen. This is done because the spline approximation may not be smooth which will give erroneous results. The nose radius the trailing edge gap, camber and thickness needs to be adjusted so that the NACA foil fits into the given airfoil.

4)The required input parameters for XFLR5 analysis are Reynolds number and range of angle of attack. Reynolds number is calculated as where

and l is the chord length of the cross-section. The range of angle of attack is generally given as -100 to 100. Once the analysis is done, the graphs of Cl vs alpha and Cd vs Cl are obtained. From Cl vs alpha graph, values of Cl0, Clmax, Clmin and Cl_a are obtained and from Cd vs Cl graph, values of CD0, CLCD0, CD2u and CD2l are obtained.

5) This procedure is repeated for each cross-section. These aerodynamic parameters are noted. Next step is to create input file for Qprop. The input file should be as shown below and should be saved as name.file.

6) Now, Qprop is simulated for a particular velocity and RPM values. For simulation, open command prompt and open the directory in which the prop n motor file is present. Make sure to paste the executable file qprop.exe in the same directory. Then give command qprop.exe RPMrange>result.txt prop file motor file velocity range

7) This will save the output as a notepad file with result. The output file will contain all the required parameters, thrust generated, power required, efficiency, coefficient of power and thrust etc.

8)The advance ratio J is calculated as

, where R=radius of the propeller.

CP, CT and efficiency values are obtained for these various values of J. Graphs of CP vs J, CT vs J and efficiency vs J are plotted.