Tandem Air Propellers - II
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Lesley, E P↗
Engineering topics
Lesley, E P
Publications and source records attributed to Lesley, E P.
Propeller Tests to Determine the Effect of Number of Blades at Two Typical Solidities
Propellers with equal total blade area, but with different numbers, were tested at Stanford University. The tests show generally that, for equal total blade area, propellers with the larger number of blades absorb the greater power and, provided hubs have equal drag, develop the higher efficiency. It is shown that the differences found are in agreement, qualitatively, with what might be predicted from simple blade-element theory.
Lesley, E P↗
Tandem Air Propellers
Tests of 2-blade, adjustable-pitch, counter rotating tandem model propellers, adjusted to absorb equal power at maximum efficiency, were made at Stanford University. The characteristics, for 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 35 degrees, and 45 degrees pitch settings at 0.75 R of the forward propeller and for 8-1/2 percent, 15 percent, and 30 percent diameter spacings, were compared with those of 2-blade and 4-blade propellers of the same blade form. The tests showed that the efficiency of the tandem propellers was from 0.5 percent to 4 percent greater than that of a 4-blade propeller and, at the high blade-angle settings, not appreciably inferior to that of a 2-blade propeller. It was found that the rear tandem propeller should be set at a blade angle slightly less than that of the forward propeller to realize the condition of equal power at maximum efficiency. Under this condition the total power absorbed by the tandem propellers was from 3 percent to 9 percent more than that absorbed by the 4-blade propeller and about twice that absorbed by a 2-blade propeller.
Lesley, E P↗
Air Propellers in Yaw
Report presents the results of tests conducted at Stanford University of a 3-foot model propeller at four pitch settings and at 0 degree, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, and 30 degrees yaw. In addition to the usual propeller coefficients, cross-wind and vertical forces and yawing, pitching, and rolling moments were determined about axes having their origin at the intersection of the blade axis and the axis of rotation. The tests showed that the maximum efficiency was reduced only slightly for angles of yaw up to 10 degrees but that at 30 degrees yaw the loss in efficiency was about 10 percent. In all cases the cross-wind force was found to be greater than the cross-wind component of the axial thrust. With a yawed propeller an appreciable thrust was found for v/nd for zero thrust at zero yaw. Yawing a propeller was found to induce a pitching moment that increased in magnitude with yaw.
Lesley, E P↗
Experiments with a Counter-propeller
This note describes tests made at Stanford University on a four-blade fixed counter-propeller in combination with a two-blade rotating propeller. It is shown that the efficiency of the normal form, well-designed air propeller can be increased about two percent over the full working range by the addition of fixed counter-propeller blades.
Lesley, E P↗
Test of an adjustable pitch model propeller at four blade settings
This note describes tests of an adjustable blade metal model propeller, both in a free wind stream and in combination with a model fuselage, at four settings of the blades. The model propeller is designed for a uniform nominal pitch/diameter ratio of .7 and the blade settings used correspond to nominal pitch/diameter ratios of .5, .7, .9, and 1.1 at the .6 radius. The tests show that propellers of this type may be considerably changed in setting from the designed pitch angles and yet give excellent performance. The efficiency realized and power absorbed when blades are set at other than the designed angle, are little different than would be obtained from a propeller with uniform pitch equal to the mean pitch of the propeller under test.
Lesley, E P↗
Tests of Five Metal Model Propellers with Various Pitch Distributions in a Free Wind Stream and in Combination with Model VE-7 Fuselage
This report describes the tests of five adjustable blade metal model propellers both in a free wind stream and in combination with a model fuselage with stub wings. The propellers are of the same form and cross section but have variations in radial distributions of pitch. By making a survey of the radial distribution of air velocity through the propeller plane of the model fuselage it was found that this velocity varies from zero at the hub center to approximately free stream velocity at the blade tip. The tests show that the efficiency of a propeller when operating in the presence of the airplane is, over the working range, generally less than when operating in a free wind stream, but that a propeller with a radial distribution of pitch of the same nature as the radial distribution of air velocity through the propeller plane suffers the smallest loss in efficiency.
Lesley, E P↗
A new method for the prediction of airplane performance
A new method for the prediction of airplane performance in level and climbing flight, together with complete information regarding propeller speeds, is described in this report. Developed from Bairstow's system and making use of American absolute coefficients, this method has advantages of simplicity and brevity.
AIRPLANES - PERFORMANCE PREDICTION↗
Report on Tests of Metal Model Propellers in Combination with a Model VE-7 Airplane
This report, prepared at the request of the NACA, describes tests of three metal model propellers, in a free air stream and in front of a model of a VE-7 airplane. The effect of introducing the model airplane is shown to be an increase in thrust and power coefficients and efficiency at small slip, and a decrease in the same at large slip.
PROPELLERS - NAVY WIND TUNNEL TESTS (STANFORD UNIV↗
The reduction of airplane flight test data to standard atmosphere conditions
This report was prepared for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in order to supply the need of practical methods of reducing observed performance to standard conditions with a minimum of labor. The first part gives a very simple approximate method of reducing performance in climb, and is particularly adapted to work not requiring extreme accuracy. The second part gives a somewhat more elaborate and more accurate method which is well suited to general flight test reduction. The third part gives the conventional method of calibrating air-speed indicators and reducing the indicated speeds to true air speeds. An appendix gives working tables and charts for the standard atmosphere. (author)
Diehl, Walter S↗
Comparison of Tests on Air Propellers in Flight with Wind Tunnel Model Tests on Similar Forms
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the performance, characteristics, and coefficients of full-sized air propellers in flight and to compare these results with those derived from wind-tunnel tests on reduced scale models of similar geometrical form. The full-scale equipment comprised five propellers in combination with a VE-7 airplane and Wright E-4 engine. This part of the work was carried out at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, between May 1 and August 24, 1924, and was under the immediate charge of Mr. Lesley. The model or wind-tunnel part of the investigation was carried out at the Aerodynamic Laboratory of Stanford University and was under the immediate charge of Doctor Durand. A comparison of the curves for full-scale results with those derived from the model tests shows that while the efficiencies realized in flight are close to those derived from model tests, both thrust developed and power absorbed in flight are from 6 to 10 per cent greater than would be expected from the results of model tests.
Durand, W F↗
Comparison of model propeller tests with airfoil theory
The purpose of the investigation covered by this report was the examination of the degree of approach which may be anticipated between laboratory tests on model airplane propellers and results computed by the airfoil theory, based on tests of airfoils representative of successive blade sections. It is known that the corrections of angles of attack and for aspect ratio, speed, and interference rest either on experimental data or on somewhat uncertain theoretical assumptions. The general situation as regards these four sets of corrections is far from satisfactory, and while it is recognized that occasion exists for the consideration of such corrections, their determination in any given case is a matter of considerable uncertainty. There exists at the present time no theory generally accepted and sufficiently comprehensive to indicate the amount of such corrections, and the application to individual cases of the experimental data available is, at best, uncertain. While the results of this first phase of the investigation are less positive than had been hoped might be the case, the establishment of the general degree of approach between the two sets of results which might be anticipated on the basis of this simpler mode of application seems to have been desirable.
Durand, William F↗
The Effect of Slipstream Obstructions on Air Propellers
The screw propeller on airplanes is usually placed near other objects, and hence its performance may be modified by them. Results of tests on propellers free from slip stream obstructions, both fore and aft, are therefore subject to correction, for the effect of such obstructions and the purpose of the investigation was to determine the effect upon the thrust and torque coefficients and efficiency, for previously tested air propellers, of obstructions placed in the slip stream, it being realized that such previous tests had been conducted under somewhat ideal conditions that are impracticable of realization in flight. Simple geometrical forms were used for the initial investigation. Such forms offered the advantage of easy, exact reproduction at another time or in other laboratories, and it was believed that the effects of obstructions usually encountered might be deduced or surmise from those chosen.
Lesley, E P↗
Tests on air propellers in yaw
This report contains the results of tests to determine the thrust (pull) and torque characteristics of air propellers in movement relative to the air in a line oblique to the line of the shaft, and specifically when such angle of obliquity is large, as in the case of helicopter flight with the propeller serving for both sustentation and traction.
Durand, W F↗
Experimental research on air propellers V
In previous reports on experimental research on air propellers, by W. F. Durand and E. P. Lesley, as contained in the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics reports nos. 14, 30, and 64, the investigations were made progressively and each without reference to results given in preceding reports and covering only information relating to forms perhaps adjacent in geometrical form and proportion. This report is a review of the entire series of results of the preceding reports with a view of examining through graphical and other appropriate means the nature of the history of the characteristics of operation as related to the systematic variations in characteristics of forms, etc., through the series of such characteristics.
Durand, W F↗
Experimental research on air propellers IV
This report states the results of investigations made upon numerous propeller models at the request of the Subcommittee on Aerodynamics, and contains valuable data for those interested in the design of air propellers.
Durand, W F↗
Experimental Research on Air Propellers II
This report is a continuation of NACA Technical Report 14. It presents the results of an experimental investigation on the performance of air propellers which was divided into five parts, as follows: (1) Tests under conditions of flight on 16 model propellers of different forms, sections, or pitch ratios from those of Technical Report 14; (2) Tests under conditions of flight on one model propeller of variable pitch; (3) Tests under conditions of flight on three sets of right and left hand model propellers in series; (4) Tests on 12 model propellers to determine brake effect or negative thrust at negative slip; (5) Standing thrust and power tests of 67 model propellers.
Durand, William F↗
Experimental Research on Air Propellers III
Report presents the results of wind tunnel tests of propellers that examined the influence of the following characteristics: (1) nominal pitch ratio 1.3 combined with a certain number of the more common or standard forms and proportions; (2) driving face slightly rounded or convex; (3) change in the location of the maximum thickness ordinate of the blade section; (4) pushing forward the leading edge of the blade, thus giving a rounded convex surface on the leading side of the driving face. (5) a series of values for the constant "angle of attack" in forming propellers with radially increasing pitch. In accordance with these purposes tests were carried out on 28 propellers.
Durand, W F↗