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Conference vmszoo::rc

Title:Welcome To The Radio Control Conference
Notice:dir's in 11, who's who in 4, sales in 6, auctions 19
Moderator:VMSSG::FRIEDRICHS
Created:Tue Jan 13 1987
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1706
Total number of notes:27193

122.0. "all props are not equal" by BZERKR::DUFRESNE (You make 'em - I break 'em) Wed Apr 08 1987 13:23

This note is an extension of my little edventure in wringing more juice out
of my FOX 19. Since it concern propellers, we can use that as as absis to have
an argument on the subject.

I wrote a letter to FOX just to verify what I had been told over the phone.
I was told that the info given (see 93.8 note for details) was basically
correct.

I was told however that if I wanted to maximize thrust, I should get a 14-1
propeller, preferably thin.

I took one look at that & said: "naaaaaaah.. This does not compute".

So I promptly went downstairs (being at home) , fired up my vt125 and 
produced a table of propeller thrust varying propeller diameter form 7 to 14 
inches, propeller pitch from 1 to 6 and RPM form 10000 to 25000 in 
increments of 10000.

I computed  thrust as follows:

	((((Prop diam / 2) ** 2) * pi) * Prop pitch) * RPM)

This equation the volume of the cylinder of air that can be moved by the prop
in a unit of time (here 1 minute).

The data is included after in the next 5 pages, sorted by ascending thrust.

My question is: Did I overlook something or the numbers basically right ??

tx,

md

Propeller Thrust (in cu. in of air moved per min)


      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

               7           1      10,000           384,844.77
               8           1      10,000           502,654.40
               7           1      15,000           577,267.16
               9           1      10,000           636,171.98
               8           1      15,000           753,981.60
               7           1      20,000           769,689.55
               7           2      10,000           769,689.55
              10           1      10,000           785,397.50
              11           1      10,000           950,330.98
               9           1      15,000           954,257.96
               7           1      25,000           962,111.94
               8           1      20,000         1,005,308.80
               8           2      10,000         1,005,308.80
              12           1      10,000         1,130,972.40
               7           2      15,000         1,154,534.33
               7           3      10,000         1,154,534.33
              10           1      15,000         1,178,096.25
               8           1      25,000         1,256,636.00
               9           1      20,000         1,272,343.95
               9           2      10,000         1,272,343.95
              13           1      10,000         1,327,321.78
              11           1      15,000         1,425,496.46
               8           2      15,000         1,507,963.20
               8           3      10,000         1,507,963.20
               7           2      20,000         1,539,379.10
               7           4      10,000         1,539,379.10
              14           1      10,000         1,539,379.10
              10           1      20,000         1,570,795.00
              10           2      10,000         1,570,795.00
               9           1      25,000         1,590,429.94
              12           1      15,000         1,696,458.60
               7           3      15,000         1,731,801.49
              11           1      20,000         1,900,661.95
              11           2      10,000         1,900,661.95
               9           2      15,000         1,908,515.93
               9           3      10,000         1,908,515.93
               7           2      25,000         1,924,223.87
               7           5      10,000         1,924,223.87
              10           1      25,000         1,963,493.75
              13           1      15,000         1,990,982.66
               8           2      20,000         2,010,617.60
               8           4      10,000         2,010,617.60
               8           3      15,000         2,261,944.80
              12           1      20,000         2,261,944.80
              12           2      10,000         2,261,944.80
               7           3      20,000         2,309,068.65
               7           4      15,000         2,309,068.65

Page 2 of 5

Propeller Thrust (in cu. in of air moved per min)


      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

               7           6      10,000         2,309,068.65
              14           1      15,000         2,309,068.65
              10           2      15,000         2,356,192.50
              10           3      10,000         2,356,192.50
              11           1      25,000         2,375,827.44
               8           2      25,000         2,513,272.00
               8           5      10,000         2,513,272.00
               9           2      20,000         2,544,687.90
               9           4      10,000         2,544,687.90
              13           1      20,000         2,654,643.55
              13           2      10,000         2,654,643.55
              12           1      25,000         2,827,431.00
              11           2      15,000         2,850,992.93
              11           3      10,000         2,850,992.93
               9           3      15,000         2,862,773.89
               7           3      25,000         2,886,335.81
               7           5      15,000         2,886,335.81
               8           3      20,000         3,015,926.40
               8           4      15,000         3,015,926.40
               8           6      10,000         3,015,926.40
               7           4      20,000         3,078,758.20
              14           1      20,000         3,078,758.20
              14           2      10,000         3,078,758.20
              10           2      20,000         3,141,590.00
              10           4      10,000         3,141,590.00
               9           2      25,000         3,180,859.88
               9           5      10,000         3,180,859.88
              13           1      25,000         3,318,304.44
              12           2      15,000         3,392,917.20
              12           3      10,000         3,392,917.20
               7           6      15,000         3,463,602.98
              10           3      15,000         3,534,288.75
               8           3      25,000         3,769,908.00
               8           5      15,000         3,769,908.00
              11           2      20,000         3,801,323.90
              11           4      10,000         3,801,323.90
               9           3      20,000         3,817,031.85
               9           4      15,000         3,817,031.85
               9           6      10,000         3,817,031.85
               7           4      25,000         3,848,447.75
               7           5      20,000         3,848,447.75
              14           1      25,000         3,848,447.75
              10           2      25,000         3,926,987.50
              10           5      10,000         3,926,987.50
              13           2      15,000         3,981,965.33
              13           3      10,000         3,981,965.33
               8           4      20,000         4,021,235.20

Page 3 of 5

Propeller Thrust (in cu. in of air moved per min)


      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

              11           3      15,000         4,276,489.39
               8           6      15,000         4,523,889.60
              12           2      20,000         4,523,889.60
              12           4      10,000         4,523,889.60
               7           6      20,000         4,618,137.30
              14           2      15,000         4,618,137.30
              14           3      10,000         4,618,137.30
              10           3      20,000         4,712,385.00
              10           4      15,000         4,712,385.00
              10           6      10,000         4,712,385.00
              11           2      25,000         4,751,654.88
              11           5      10,000         4,751,654.88
               9           3      25,000         4,771,289.81
               9           5      15,000         4,771,289.81
               7           5      25,000         4,810,559.69
               8           4      25,000         5,026,544.00
               8           5      20,000         5,026,544.00
               9           4      20,000         5,089,375.80
              12           3      15,000         5,089,375.80
              13           2      20,000         5,309,287.10
              13           4      10,000         5,309,287.10
              12           2      25,000         5,654,862.00
              12           5      10,000         5,654,862.00
              11           3      20,000         5,701,985.85
              11           4      15,000         5,701,985.85
              11           6      10,000         5,701,985.85
               9           6      15,000         5,725,547.77
               7           6      25,000         5,772,671.62
              10           3      25,000         5,890,481.25
              10           5      15,000         5,890,481.25
              13           3      15,000         5,972,947.99
               8           6      20,000         6,031,852.80
              14           2      20,000         6,157,516.40
              14           4      10,000         6,157,516.40
              10           4      20,000         6,283,180.00
               9           4      25,000         6,361,719.75
               9           5      20,000         6,361,719.75
              13           2      25,000         6,636,608.88
              13           5      10,000         6,636,608.88
              12           3      20,000         6,785,834.40
              12           4      15,000         6,785,834.40
              12           6      10,000         6,785,834.40
              14           3      15,000         6,927,205.95
              10           6      15,000         7,068,577.50
              11           3      25,000         7,127,482.31
              11           5      15,000         7,127,482.31
               8           6      25,000         7,539,816.00

Page 4 of 5

Propeller Thrust (in cu. in of air moved per min)


      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

               8           6      25,000         7,539,816.00
              11           4      20,000         7,602,647.80
               9           6      20,000         7,634,063.70
              14           2      25,000         7,696,895.50
              14           5      10,000         7,696,895.50
              10           4      25,000         7,853,975.00
              10           5      20,000         7,853,975.00
               9           5      25,000         7,952,149.69
              13           3      20,000         7,963,930.65
              13           4      15,000         7,963,930.65
              13           6      10,000         7,963,930.65
              12           3      25,000         8,482,293.00
              12           5      15,000         8,482,293.00
              11           6      15,000         8,552,978.78
              12           4      20,000         9,047,779.20
              14           3      20,000         9,236,274.60
              14           4      15,000         9,236,274.60
              14           6      10,000         9,236,274.60
              10           6      20,000         9,424,770.00
              11           4      25,000         9,503,309.75
              11           5      20,000         9,503,309.75
               9           6      25,000         9,542,579.63
              10           5      25,000         9,817,468.75
              13           3      25,000         9,954,913.31
              13           5      15,000         9,954,913.31
              12           6      15,000        10,178,751.60
              13           4      20,000        10,618,574.20
              12           4      25,000        11,309,724.00
              12           5      20,000        11,309,724.00
              11           6      20,000        11,403,971.70
              14           3      25,000        11,545,343.25
              14           5      15,000        11,545,343.25
              10           6      25,000        11,780,962.50
              11           5      25,000        11,879,137.19
              13           6      15,000        11,945,895.98
              14           4      20,000        12,315,032.80
              13           4      25,000        13,273,217.75
              13           5      20,000        13,273,217.75
              12           6      20,000        13,571,668.80
              14           6      15,000        13,854,411.90
              12           5      25,000        14,137,155.00
              11           6      25,000        14,254,964.63
              14           4      25,000        15,393,791.00
              14           5      20,000        15,393,791.00
              13           6      20,000        15,927,861.30
              13           5      25,000        16,591,522.19
              12           6      25,000        16,964,586.00

Page 5 of 5

Propeller Thrust (in cu. in of air moved per min)


      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

              14           6      20,000        18,472,549.20
              14           5      25,000        19,242,238.75
              13           6      25,000        19,909,826.63
              14           6      25,000        23,090,686.50
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
122.1SPKALI::THOMASWed Apr 08 1987 14:227
    Marc,
    
    	I think it's great that you went thru that effort. Cold you
    look at expanding your data to include pitches from 6-10 in diam.
    sizes of 9-13? Also at RPM ranges of 1,800 to 13,000.
    
    					Thanks Tom
122.2A better equationTONTO::SCHRADERShare and Enjoy!Wed Apr 08 1987 15:2132
    RE: 0,1
    
    I'm afraid that your equation isn't quite right.
    
    The first thing to remember is that a propeller is an airfoil (i.e.
    wing). From basic areodynamics...
    
      Lift  =  Cooef_of_lift * Area * Air_density * Square_of(Velocity)
    
      At a given radius from the hub, Velocity is proportional to Radius*RPM
    
      So .... ( "=>" will be used to mean "is proportional to")
    
      Lift => integral_of((Radius*RPM)^2)
      with the integral taken from Radius=0 to Radius=Prop Diameter/2
    
      Lift => Radius^3 * RPM^2
    
      The Radius^3 looks a little strange at first. The reason for it
      is that since the blade velocity increases as you go out from
      the hub and lift => V^2 instead of just V^1, the lift distribution
      is uneven with the blade area at the tips generating a lot more
      lift that the blade area towards the hub.
    
    This is pretty simplistic since it makes the assumption that the
    propeller's cord and airfoil are constant along it's length.
    
    A while back I wrote an IBM PC program which made graphic plots
    of thrust/torque/power vs RPM/diameter/pitch. I'll try to find them
    if anybody is interested.
    
    GES
122.4so...CLOSUS::TAVARESJohn--Stay low, keep movingWed Apr 08 1987 20:2114
That integral just scared 10 years off my life!  Which equation is
good? Is the first one a good simplification?  Sure was fun; I
pushed some buttons to see if I could come up with the answers, and
by golly, it works.  BTW -- my trusty HP says that the volume of air
moved by a 10/4 at 10K rpm is equal to pi X 10*6.  

Doesnt this exercise prove what is intutively obvious, that a larger
pitch prop turning at higher RPM moves more air than a smaller pitch
turning at a lower RPM?  I mean, what do we do with these wonderful
numbers?  

Looking forward to the day when I get my 10/4 at 10K RPM and say to
the guys "this prop is moving pi x 10*6 volume of air"! Imagine
their amazement.
122.5REALITY LOOMS LARGE ON THE HORIZONMJOVAX::BENSONWed Apr 08 1987 21:136
    One must temper one's desire to move large volumes of air with the
    reality of: 
    
    "Will a given engine be able to turn a prop that fast
    to move that much air with an airplane hanging off of it???
    
122.6comments and another tableBZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emThu Apr 09 1987 13:39255
    re .1: Ok. I will generate a list for the range you mention.
    
    Re .4: I am hoping that the equation is a good simplification
    
    (aside: I do systems performance analysis for a living. One
     of the tools of the trade is modeling. The equation I came up
    with was a first rough cut. I will refine & change it as more info
    come to the fore)
    
    Re .4 and what to with it. well try this: Assume you know approximately
    waht is the top end (in RPM) for you engine. Assume also you have
    a tachometer so you can verify the actual value. The objective
    is to have the engine turn a prop that will generate max thrust
    (per definition in .0) at or very near to the top end. Now which
    propeller to use ?? I resorted the list by ascending RPM, then
    ascending thrust for a given RPM. (see attached.)    
    
    re .3 It is not clear to me how I relate lift to thrust.. can someone
    expand on this for me. I'm a bit feeble minded in this area.
    
    and lastly, does mr Chadd have anything to say on this subject ??
    
    tx,
    
    md

Page 1 of 5


      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

               7           1      10,000           384,844.77
               8           1      10,000           502,654.40
               9           1      10,000           636,171.98
               7           2      10,000           769,689.55
              10           1      10,000           785,397.50
              11           1      10,000           950,330.98
               8           2      10,000         1,005,308.80
              12           1      10,000         1,130,972.40
               7           3      10,000         1,154,534.33
               9           2      10,000         1,272,343.95
              13           1      10,000         1,327,321.78
               8           3      10,000         1,507,963.20
               7           4      10,000         1,539,379.10
              14           1      10,000         1,539,379.10
              10           2      10,000         1,570,795.00
              11           2      10,000         1,900,661.95
               9           3      10,000         1,908,515.93
               7           5      10,000         1,924,223.87
               8           4      10,000         2,010,617.60
              12           2      10,000         2,261,944.80
               7           6      10,000         2,309,068.65
              10           3      10,000         2,356,192.50
               8           5      10,000         2,513,272.00
               9           4      10,000         2,544,687.90
              13           2      10,000         2,654,643.55
              11           3      10,000         2,850,992.93
               8           6      10,000         3,015,926.40
              14           2      10,000         3,078,758.20
              10           4      10,000         3,141,590.00
               9           5      10,000         3,180,859.88
              12           3      10,000         3,392,917.20
              11           4      10,000         3,801,323.90
               9           6      10,000         3,817,031.85
              10           5      10,000         3,926,987.50
              13           3      10,000         3,981,965.33
              12           4      10,000         4,523,889.60
              14           3      10,000         4,618,137.30
              10           6      10,000         4,712,385.00
              11           5      10,000         4,751,654.88
              13           4      10,000         5,309,287.10
              12           5      10,000         5,654,862.00
              11           6      10,000         5,701,985.85
              14           4      10,000         6,157,516.40
              13           5      10,000         6,636,608.88
              12           6      10,000         6,785,834.40
              14           5      10,000         7,696,895.50
              13           6      10,000         7,963,930.65

Page 2 of 5



      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

              14           6      10,000         9,236,274.60
               7           1      15,000           577,267.16
               8           1      15,000           753,981.60
               9           1      15,000           954,257.96
               7           2      15,000         1,154,534.33
              10           1      15,000         1,178,096.25
              11           1      15,000         1,425,496.46
               8           2      15,000         1,507,963.20
              12           1      15,000         1,696,458.60
               7           3      15,000         1,731,801.49
               9           2      15,000         1,908,515.93
              13           1      15,000         1,990,982.66
               8           3      15,000         2,261,944.80
               7           4      15,000         2,309,068.65
              14           1      15,000         2,309,068.65
              10           2      15,000         2,356,192.50
              11           2      15,000         2,850,992.93
               9           3      15,000         2,862,773.89
               7           5      15,000         2,886,335.81
               8           4      15,000         3,015,926.40
              12           2      15,000         3,392,917.20
               7           6      15,000         3,463,602.98
              10           3      15,000         3,534,288.75
               8           5      15,000         3,769,908.00
               9           4      15,000         3,817,031.85
              13           2      15,000         3,981,965.33
              11           3      15,000         4,276,489.39
               8           6      15,000         4,523,889.60
              14           2      15,000         4,618,137.30
              10           4      15,000         4,712,385.00
               9           5      15,000         4,771,289.81
              12           3      15,000         5,089,375.80
              11           4      15,000         5,701,985.85
               9           6      15,000         5,725,547.77
              10           5      15,000         5,890,481.25
              13           3      15,000         5,972,947.99
              12           4      15,000         6,785,834.40
              14           3      15,000         6,927,205.95
              10           6      15,000         7,068,577.50
              11           5      15,000         7,127,482.31
              13           4      15,000         7,963,930.65
              12           5      15,000         8,482,293.00
              11           6      15,000         8,552,978.78
              14           4      15,000         9,236,274.60
              13           5      15,000         9,954,913.31
              12           6      15,000        10,178,751.60
              14           5      15,000        11,545,343.25

Page 3 of 5




      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

              13           6      15,000        11,945,895.98
              14           6      15,000        13,854,411.90
               7           1      20,000           769,689.55
               8           1      20,000         1,005,308.80
               9           1      20,000         1,272,343.95
               7           2      20,000         1,539,379.10
              10           1      20,000         1,570,795.00
              11           1      20,000         1,900,661.95
               8           2      20,000         2,010,617.60
              12           1      20,000         2,261,944.80
               7           3      20,000         2,309,068.65
               9           2      20,000         2,544,687.90
              13           1      20,000         2,654,643.55
               8           3      20,000         3,015,926.40
               7           4      20,000         3,078,758.20
              14           1      20,000         3,078,758.20
              10           2      20,000         3,141,590.00
              11           2      20,000         3,801,323.90
               9           3      20,000         3,817,031.85
               7           5      20,000         3,848,447.75
               8           4      20,000         4,021,235.20
              12           2      20,000         4,523,889.60
               7           6      20,000         4,618,137.30
              10           3      20,000         4,712,385.00
               8           5      20,000         5,026,544.00
               9           4      20,000         5,089,375.80
              13           2      20,000         5,309,287.10
              11           3      20,000         5,701,985.85
               8           6      20,000         6,031,852.80
              14           2      20,000         6,157,516.40
              10           4      20,000         6,283,180.00
               9           5      20,000         6,361,719.75
              12           3      20,000         6,785,834.40
              11           4      20,000         7,602,647.80
               9           6      20,000         7,634,063.70
              10           5      20,000         7,853,975.00
              13           3      20,000         7,963,930.65
              12           4      20,000         9,047,779.20
              14           3      20,000         9,236,274.60
              10           6      20,000         9,424,770.00
              11           5      20,000         9,503,309.75
              13           4      20,000        10,618,574.20
              12           5      20,000        11,309,724.00
              11           6      20,000        11,403,971.70
              14           4      20,000        12,315,032.80
              13           5      20,000        13,273,217.75
              12           6      20,000        13,571,668.80

Page 4 of 5




      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

              14           5      20,000        15,393,791.00
              13           6      20,000        15,927,861.30
              14           6      20,000        18,472,549.20
               7           1      25,000           962,111.94
               8           1      25,000         1,256,636.00
               9           1      25,000         1,590,429.94
               7           2      25,000         1,924,223.87
              10           1      25,000         1,963,493.75
              11           1      25,000         2,375,827.44
               8           2      25,000         2,513,272.00
              12           1      25,000         2,827,431.00
               7           3      25,000         2,886,335.81
               9           2      25,000         3,180,859.88
              13           1      25,000         3,318,304.44
               8           3      25,000         3,769,908.00
               7           4      25,000         3,848,447.75
              14           1      25,000         3,848,447.75
              10           2      25,000         3,926,987.50
              11           2      25,000         4,751,654.88
               9           3      25,000         4,771,289.81
               7           5      25,000         4,810,559.69
               8           4      25,000         5,026,544.00
              12           2      25,000         5,654,862.00
               7           6      25,000         5,772,671.62
              10           3      25,000         5,890,481.25
               9           4      25,000         6,361,719.75
              13           2      25,000         6,636,608.88
              11           3      25,000         7,127,482.31
               8           6      25,000         7,539,816.00
               8           6      25,000         7,539,816.00
              14           2      25,000         7,696,895.50
              10           4      25,000         7,853,975.00
               9           5      25,000         7,952,149.69
              12           3      25,000         8,482,293.00
              11           4      25,000         9,503,309.75
               9           6      25,000         9,542,579.63
              10           5      25,000         9,817,468.75
              13           3      25,000         9,954,913.31
              12           4      25,000        11,309,724.00
              14           3      25,000        11,545,343.25
              10           6      25,000        11,780,962.50
              11           5      25,000        11,879,137.19
              13           4      25,000        13,273,217.75
              12           5      25,000        14,137,155.00
              11           6      25,000        14,254,964.63
              14           4      25,000        15,393,791.00
              13           5      25,000        16,591,522.19

Page 5 of 5




      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM             THRUST

              12           6      25,000        16,964,586.00
              14           5      25,000        19,242,238.75
              13           6      25,000        19,909,826.63
              14           6      25,000        23,090,686.50

122.7THRUST, LIFT, V^2, AND OTHER THINGSTONTO::SCHRADERShare and Enjoy!Mon Apr 13 1987 16:5424
    
    re: -1
    
    	No, I do not beleive that your equation is a good approximation.
    
    	I think the basic misunderstanding is that thrust is proportional
    	to the amount of air being moved. It is not. It is proportional
    	to the amount of air being >>accelerated<< (Remember F=M*A,
        or in our case, Thrust = Mass of air * Rate at which the prop
        accelerates the air). These two things are ENTIRELY different.
    	If, say, you double the RPM. First you must accelerate twice
        as much mass, and second you must double the acceleration to
        twice as much mass through the prop in the same amount of time.
    	What you wind up with is four times the thrust since both the
        mass being accelerated and the acceleration are being doubled.
    	This is precisely why the velocity squared term shows up in
        the standard lift and drag equations. Any good aerodynamics
        text will have a complete explanation of all of this stuff.
    
    re: elsewhere
    
    	Thrust is related to lift because a propeller IS a wing.  The
        "lift" generated by this "wing" is called "thrust" by convention
        since the force is in the forward direction rather than upwards.
122.8real stuff --- right from the textbookTONTO::SCHRADERShare and Enjoy!Thu Apr 16 1987 16:5539
    I finally found my reference books. 

    From "AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE STABILITY and CONTROL" by Perkins & Hage

	Thrust = Tc * Rho * (J)^2 * (RPM)^2 * (Diameter)^4
    	(Thrust generated by the prop)

    YES! Those are the correct powers to raise the RPM and prop Diameter to.
    A couple years ago I checked the derivations for these equations and
    by golly, they turned out to be correct! (I didn't believe it at
    first either)  100% of the wierdness is a side effect of the fact
    that aerodynamic forces are non-linear functions of airflow
    velocitys.

    Tc is a proportionality constant (i.e. fudge factor).
    To find actual value Tc would need to be measured but it can be
    ignored if you are just comparing relative magnitudes. Rho is the air
    density, ignore it for the same reason.

    J is the "advance ratio". This is the prop diameter divided by the
    distance the prop will move forward with each revolution. The best thing
    that I have found to use for a W.A.G. is the Diameter divided by the Pitch.
    In real life this will be too small since the actual pitch will be
    a little less than the physical pitch of the blades due to slippage,
    but since we're only after an approximation it should be good enough.

    	If we substitute Diameter/Pitch for J in the thrust equation we get...

    	Thrust = Tc * Rho * (Dia)^2/(Pitch)^2 * (Rpm)^2 * (Dia)^4

    	or

    	Thrust = Tc * Rho * (RPM)^2 * (Dia)^6 / (Pitch)^2  !!!

    Enough beating my head against the wall for now...

    	GES
    
122.9let through some computes at thisBZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emThu Apr 16 1987 19:124
    Neat !!! Let put this equation through my data and see the differences.
    
    
    md
122.10BZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emThu Apr 16 1987 19:154
    ...and thank for the reference.. I think I will go out & buy the
    book.. 
    
    md7
122.11Doest moving the plane faster reduce thrust?!ANKER::ANKERAnker Berg-SonneThu Apr 16 1987 19:3018
        Re:< Note 122.10 by BZERKR::DUFRESNE "You make 'em - I break 'em" >

                The entire  discussion  seems  to assume that the prop is
        attached to a  plane that isn't moving.  In reality, as the plane
        moves faster and faster  the  prop generates less and less thrust
        (assuming constant RPM).  A  really useful tabs would be one that
        gave thrust as a function of velocity.  If you know what the drag
        of your plane is and you plot that and the drag.  Where the lines
        cross tells you how fast your plane will move.
        
                Another  approach  is  to  take  the  horsepower of  your
        engine, calculate how fast that should be able to move your plane
        (which is calculated from drag and velocity) and then find a prop
        that will generate the same thrust as your drag at the max HP RPM
        of your engine at the velocity that the plane is moving at.   See
        that I would find useful.
        
        Anker
122.12OH NO! airFOILED AGAIN!TONTO::SCHRADERShare and Enjoy!Fri Apr 17 1987 12:3729
    re: .11

      The previous equation actually assumes that the forward velocity
      is proportional to RPM. The advance ratio ("J" in the equation)
      is actually the Prop diameter / Forward movement per prop rev.
      By plugging in Dia/Pitch we are assumeing that forward velocity
      (in/min) = RPM(Revs/min) * Pitch(in/rev). Another way of looking
      at it is that we are assumeing a constant angle of attack for the
      blade airfoil section. Of course, this is not really true, but to
      get closer to real life you need to start looking at blade
      airfoil shape VS airfoil lift VS angle of attack VS angle of
      attack differences along the blades VS blade shape (most have
      some sort of taper) VS all of the other stuff that each prop.
      mfg. does to make his prop. different from the rest of the crowd.

      In short, rough comparisons between props, operating RPM, etc.
      can be done with some reasonably (?) simple equations. Actual
      performance predictions, (i.e. what prop should I use for my
      xx plane/yy engine) would at a very minimum require a wind tunnel 
      (& associated equipment) in order to characterize prop performance
      over a reasonable range of operating conditions. 

      One last point.  Even when running the engine on the ground,
      there is still forward airflow through the prop (the prop
      is blowing air).  As far as the prop is concerned this is just as
      good as forward motion, so there is never a case where the prop is
      running at zero airspeed (relative to the prop blades, anyway).

      GES
122.13To Much DetailSPKALI::THOMASFri Apr 17 1987 13:0820
    
    
    	BOY   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    	Are we trying to power the space shuttle with a piston engine
    or trying to fly our RC aircraft??  I'M confused??  You guy's
    can stay here and debate this issue till your blue in the face.
    
    	I'm going flying................................
    
    	What ever happened to KISS??????
    
    
    					Bye
    
    					Tom
    
    P.S. I thought this was going to be a meaningful subject that the
    average flyer could utilize. Not a debate on the theory of aerodynamics.
122.14I plan to KISS it.BZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emFri Apr 17 1987 14:5917
    I am trying to get an reasonable approximation of prop thrust.
    
    I have no intention in getting in gorry details.
    
    let me see what the equation in .11 gives and let work from there. 
    
    If we can get a measure of relative power (on paper) then one can
    verify/sanity check the results (hopefully) by picking a few props
    and trying them out and see what happens (like you go fly. If the
    results are as expected then the equation is reasonable. If not,
    then we try to understand why. Eventually we may get a coobook 
    list. As long as it work, who cares ...
    
    (Hey Thomas, I just can see you showing up at a race with a plane swinging
    an oddball prop and wiping the competion into the ground.)
    
    
122.15 gentleman, pls sit down!!BZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emFri Apr 17 1987 16:03229
Ok... Here are the number... I'm completely flabbergasted

The factor with the most effect on performance is J : (dia)^2/(pitch^2)

From these numbers, the prop with the lowest pitch & largest diameter
does best. 

either the prop makers are taking us for a ride or the is something else that
as to be accounted for !!! (or maybe helicopter makers have the secret: low
angle of attack & long blade) ... Hummmm!

md

Page 1 of 5

      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

               7           6      10,000       1.36       326,536.00
               7           5      10,000       1.96       470,596.00
               8           6      10,000       1.78       729,088.00
               7           4      10,000       3.06       734,706.00
               7           6      15,000       1.36       734,706.00
               8           5      10,000       2.56     1,048,576.00
               7           5      15,000       1.96     1,058,841.00
               7           3      10,000       5.44     1,306,144.00
               7           6      20,000       1.36     1,306,144.00
               9           6      10,000       2.25     1,476,225.00
               8           4      10,000       4.00     1,638,400.00
               8           6      15,000       1.78     1,640,448.00
               7           4      15,000       3.06     1,653,088.50
               7           5      20,000       1.96     1,882,384.00
               7           6      25,000       1.36     2,040,850.00
               9           5      10,000       3.24     2,125,764.00
               8           5      15,000       2.56     2,359,296.00
              10           6      10,000       2.78     2,780,000.00
               8           3      10,000       7.11     2,912,256.00
               8           6      20,000       1.78     2,916,352.00
               7           4      20,000       3.06     2,938,824.00
               7           3      15,000       5.44     2,938,824.00
               7           2      10,000      12.25     2,941,225.00
               7           5      25,000       1.96     2,941,225.00
               9           4      10,000       5.06     3,319,866.00
               9           6      15,000       2.25     3,321,506.25
               8           4      15,000       4.00     3,686,400.00
              10           5      10,000       4.00     4,000,000.00
               8           5      20,000       2.56     4,194,304.00
               8           6      25,000       1.78     4,556,800.00
               8           6      25,000       1.78     4,556,800.00
               7           4      25,000       3.06     4,591,912.50
               9           5      15,000       3.24     4,782,969.00
              11           6      10,000       3.36     4,919,376.00
               7           3      20,000       5.44     5,224,576.00
               9           3      10,000       9.00     5,904,900.00
               9           6      20,000       2.25     5,904,900.00
              10           4      10,000       6.25     6,250,000.00
              10           6      15,000       2.78     6,255,000.00
               8           3      15,000       7.11     6,552,576.00
               8           2      10,000      16.00     6,553,600.00
               8           4      20,000       4.00     6,553,600.00
               7           2      15,000      12.25     6,617,756.25
              11           5      10,000       4.84     7,086,244.00
               9           4      15,000       5.06     7,469,698.50
               7           3      25,000       5.44     8,163,400.00
              12           6      10,000       4.00     8,294,400.00

Page 2 of 5

      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

               9           5      20,000       3.24     8,503,056.00
              10           5      15,000       4.00     9,000,000.00
               9           6      25,000       2.25     9,226,406.25
               8           4      25,000       4.00    10,240,000.00
              11           4      10,000       7.56    11,068,596.00
              11           6      15,000       3.36    11,068,596.00
              10           3      10,000      11.11    11,110,000.00
              10           6      20,000       2.78    11,120,000.00
               8           3      20,000       7.11    11,649,024.00
               7           1      10,000      49.00    11,764,900.00
               7           2      20,000      12.25    11,764,900.00
              12           5      10,000       5.76    11,943,936.00
               9           4      20,000       5.06    13,279,464.00
               9           2      10,000      20.25    13,286,025.00
               9           3      15,000       9.00    13,286,025.00
               9           5      25,000       3.24    13,286,025.00
              13           6      10,000       4.69    13,395,109.00
              10           4      15,000       6.25    14,062,500.00
               8           2      15,000      16.00    14,745,600.00
              11           5      15,000       4.84    15,944,049.00
              10           5      20,000       4.00    16,000,000.00
              10           6      25,000       2.78    17,375,000.00
               8           3      25,000       7.11    18,201,600.00
               7           2      25,000      12.25    18,382,656.25
              12           4      10,000       9.00    18,662,400.00
              12           6      15,000       4.00    18,662,400.00
              13           5      10,000       6.76    19,307,236.00
              11           3      10,000      13.44    19,677,504.00
              11           6      20,000       3.36    19,677,504.00
               9           4      25,000       5.06    20,749,162.50
              14           6      10,000       5.44    20,898,304.00
               9           3      20,000       9.00    23,619,600.00
              11           4      15,000       7.56    24,904,341.00
              10           3      15,000      11.11    24,997,500.00
              10           2      10,000      25.00    25,000,000.00
              10           4      20,000       6.25    25,000,000.00
              10           5      25,000       4.00    25,000,000.00
               8           1      10,000      64.00    26,214,400.00
               8           2      20,000      16.00    26,214,400.00
               7           1      15,000      49.00    26,471,025.00
              12           5      15,000       5.76    26,873,856.00
              11           5      20,000       4.84    28,344,976.00
               9           2      15,000      20.25    29,893,556.25
              14           5      10,000       7.84    30,118,144.00
              13           6      15,000       4.69    30,138,995.25
              13           4      10,000      10.56    30,160,416.00
              11           6      25,000       3.36    30,746,100.00

Page 3 of 5

      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

              12           3      10,000      16.00    33,177,600.00
              12           6      20,000       4.00    33,177,600.00
               9           3      25,000       9.00    36,905,625.00
              10           4      25,000       6.25    39,062,500.00
               8           2      25,000      16.00    40,960,000.00
              12           4      15,000       9.00    41,990,400.00
              13           5      15,000       6.76    43,441,281.00
              11           3      15,000      13.44    44,274,384.00
              11           4      20,000       7.56    44,274,384.00
              11           2      10,000      30.25    44,289,025.00
              11           5      25,000       4.84    44,289,025.00
              10           3      20,000      11.11    44,440,000.00
              14           6      15,000       5.44    47,021,184.00
               7           1      20,000      49.00    47,059,600.00
              14           4      10,000      12.25    47,059,600.00
              12           5      20,000       5.76    47,775,744.00
              12           6      25,000       4.00    51,840,000.00
               9           1      10,000      81.00    53,144,100.00
               9           2      20,000      20.25    53,144,100.00
              13           6      20,000       4.69    53,580,436.00
              13           3      10,000      18.78    53,637,558.00
              10           2      15,000      25.00    56,250,000.00
               8           1      15,000      64.00    58,982,400.00
              14           5      15,000       7.84    67,765,824.00
              13           4      15,000      10.56    67,860,936.00
              11           4      25,000       7.56    69,178,725.00
              10           3      25,000      11.11    69,437,500.00
               7           1      25,000      49.00    73,530,625.00
              12           2      10,000      36.00    74,649,600.00
              12           3      15,000      16.00    74,649,600.00
              12           4      20,000       9.00    74,649,600.00
              12           5      25,000       5.76    74,649,600.00
              13           5      20,000       6.76    77,228,944.00
              11           3      20,000      13.44    78,710,016.00
               9           2      25,000      20.25    83,037,656.25
              14           6      20,000       5.44    83,593,216.00
              14           3      10,000      21.78    83,670,048.00
              13           6      25,000       4.69    83,719,431.25
              11           2      15,000      30.25    99,650,306.25
              10           1      10,000     100.00   100,000,000.00
              10           2      20,000      25.00   100,000,000.00
               8           1      20,000      64.00   104,857,600.00
              14           4      15,000      12.25   105,884,100.00
              12           4      25,000       9.00   116,640,000.00
               9           1      15,000      81.00   119,574,225.00
              14           5      20,000       7.84   120,472,576.00
              13           4      20,000      10.56   120,641,664.00

Page 4 of 5

      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

              13           2      10,000      42.25   120,670,225.00
              13           5      25,000       6.76   120,670,225.00
              13           3      15,000      18.78   120,684,505.50
              11           3      25,000      13.44   122,984,400.00
              14           6      25,000       5.44   130,614,400.00
              12           3      20,000      16.00   132,710,400.00
              10           2      25,000      25.00   156,250,000.00
               8           1      25,000      64.00   163,840,000.00
              12           2      15,000      36.00   167,961,600.00
              11           1      10,000     121.00   177,156,100.00
              11           2      20,000      30.25   177,156,100.00
              14           2      10,000      49.00   188,238,400.00
              14           4      20,000      12.25   188,238,400.00
              14           5      25,000       7.84   188,238,400.00
              14           3      15,000      21.78   188,257,608.00
              13           4      25,000      10.56   188,502,600.00
              12           3      25,000      16.00   207,360,000.00
               9           1      20,000      81.00   212,576,400.00
              13           3      20,000      18.78   214,550,232.00
              10           1      15,000     100.00   225,000,000.00
              13           2      15,000      42.25   271,508,006.25
              11           2      25,000      30.25   276,806,406.25
              14           4      25,000      12.25   294,122,500.00
              12           1      10,000     144.00   298,598,400.00
              12           2      20,000      36.00   298,598,400.00
               9           1      25,000      81.00   332,150,625.00
              14           3      20,000      21.78   334,680,192.00
              13           3      25,000      18.78   335,234,737.50
              11           1      15,000     121.00   398,601,225.00
              10           1      20,000     100.00   400,000,000.00
              14           2      15,000      49.00   423,536,400.00
              12           2      25,000      36.00   466,560,000.00
              13           1      10,000     169.00   482,680,900.00
              13           2      20,000      42.25   482,680,900.00
              14           3      25,000      21.78   522,937,800.00
              10           1      25,000     100.00   625,000,000.00
              12           1      15,000     144.00   671,846,400.00
              11           1      20,000     121.00   708,624,400.00
              14           1      10,000     196.00   752,953,600.00
              14           2      20,000      49.00   752,953,600.00
              13           2      25,000      42.25   754,188,906.25
              13           1      15,000     169.00 1,086,032,025.0
              11           1      25,000     121.00 1,107,225,625.0
              14           2      25,000      49.00 1,176,490,000.0
              12           1      20,000     144.00 1,194,393,600.0
              14           1      15,000     196.00 1,694,145,600.0
              12           1      25,000     144.00 1,866,240,000.0

Page 5 of 5

      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

              13           1      20,000     169.00 1,930,723,600.0
              14           1      20,000     196.00 3,011,814,400.0
              13           1      25,000     169.00 3,016,755,625.0
              14           1      25,000     196.00 4,705,960,000.0
122.16What does thrust mean to you?HPSCAD::WFIELDFri Apr 17 1987 18:255
    I have a question. Why do you want to maximize thrust? When
    I think of thrust I think of power as opposed to speed. As you 
    have noticed from the equation, thrust is inversely proportional
    to pitch. Do you want to go fast, or fly a large heavy plane at
    a lower speed?
122.17 move lots of air & go fastBZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emFri Apr 17 1987 19:0311
    At the risk of sounding dumb and stupid: I want to move lots of
    air in given a unit of time. My intuition (and I may be wrong) would
    lead to believe that the more air you can move, the faster you will
    go.
    
    The numbers I got tell me that for a given rpm (say 10000), 
    14-1 prop beats everything else by a substantial margin. Generally
    speaking, again from the numbers a long prop with low pitch does
    better than a short prop with high pitch. This is very perplexing...
    
    what did I miss ??
122.18advance ratio is killerBZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emFri Apr 17 1987 19:275
    My basic problem is with the advance ratio. The proposed equation
    (prop diam div by distance prop moves per rev.) confuses me. 
    
    The higher the pitch, the more the prop should advance. The equation yields
    opposite results. why ??                              
122.19Thrust = force, not speedHPSCAD::WFIELDFri Apr 17 1987 20:066
    I think the whole problem is with the definition of thrust.
    From looking at the equation it seems that thrust is how much pressure
    or force the prop can generate, not how fast it can do it.
    Aircraft speed would be pitch (in inches/revolution) * rpm * prop
    efficiency. The whole problem is to determine prop efficiency. It
    is going to be different on every plane.
122.20ERROR! ERROR!TONTO::SCHRADERShare and Enjoy!Fri Apr 17 1987 20:2420
    My error on this one...

    The advance ratio should have been pitch/diameter (blush).

    This will no doubt change things quite a bit.

    The combined equation changes to ...

        Thrust => Fudge Factor * RPM^2 * Diameter^2 * Pitch^2

    re: -??

    There is a VERY good reason for this discussion. Propellers are widely
    misunderstood. The more that you know about the basic principles
    behind how things work, the easier it is to make intelligent decisions.
    The other alternative is to consult with the local witchdoctor and/or
    make a wild guesses.

    GES
122.21looks like I was closeBZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emFri Apr 17 1987 20:327
    ok.. i redo my number... BTW, check the equation in .1 - It's the
    same except for the ^2.. 
    
    stand by for yet a new set of numbers
    
    md
    
122.22the last word ?BZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emFri Apr 17 1987 21:16257
Ok, here are the lastest numbers. 

Prop_thrust was computed as J_factor * (rpm_sq / 100000) * diam_exp_4

where:

J_factor = (prop_pitch / prop_diam) * (prop_pitch * prop_diam)
rpm_sq= rpm * rpm
diam_exp_4 = (((prop_diam *prop_diam)*prop_diam)*prop_diam)

(I did computed it this way in order to see intermediate value & because 
TEAMDATA is a bit dumb with formulas)

rpm_sq was divided by 100000  because I can only print 15 digits and the last
6 digits where always 0

Bottom line so far: we have come a full circle. This order of this list 
matches my first one (see .0). The orginal rough model is good one
to use to measure relative performance of a propeller, ALL OTHER THINGS
BEING EQUAL, ie:

		don't didle the engine

		don't didle the plane

		"identical props" (dain-pitch) from different manufactures
		may perform differently. I would think the disfference should
		be marginal

		etc..

Now, unless someone comes up with an other oversight, I can satisfy thomas's
request & gen a table over the range of diam & pitch he had in mind.
I can also get back to FOX & tell them that their original suggestion of a
14-1 prop was not quite right. 

This was fun. 

md

Page 1 of 5

      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

               7           1      10,000       1.00       240,100.00
               8           1      10,000       1.00       409,600.00
               7           1      15,000       1.00       540,225.00
               9           1      10,000       1.00       656,100.00
               8           1      15,000       1.00       921,600.00
               7           2      10,000       4.00       960,400.00
               7           1      20,000       1.00       960,400.00
              10           1      10,000       1.00     1,000,000.00
              11           1      10,000       1.00     1,464,100.00
               9           1      15,000       1.00     1,476,225.00
               7           1      25,000       1.00     1,500,625.00
               8           2      10,000       4.00     1,638,400.00
               8           1      20,000       1.00     1,638,400.00
              12           1      10,000       1.00     2,073,600.00
               7           3      10,000       9.00     2,160,900.00
               7           2      15,000       4.00     2,160,900.00
              10           1      15,000       1.00     2,250,000.00
               8           1      25,000       1.00     2,560,000.00
               9           2      10,000       4.00     2,624,400.00
               9           1      20,000       1.00     2,624,400.00
              13           1      10,000       1.00     2,856,100.00
              11           1      15,000       1.00     3,294,225.00
               8           3      10,000       9.00     3,686,400.00
               8           2      15,000       4.00     3,686,400.00
               7           4      10,000      16.00     3,841,600.00
               7           2      20,000       4.00     3,841,600.00
              14           1      10,000       1.00     3,841,600.00
              10           2      10,000       4.00     4,000,000.00
              10           1      20,000       1.00     4,000,000.00
               9           1      25,000       1.00     4,100,625.00
              12           1      15,000       1.00     4,665,600.00
               7           3      15,000       9.00     4,862,025.00
              11           2      10,000       4.00     5,856,400.00
              11           1      20,000       1.00     5,856,400.00
               9           3      10,000       9.00     5,904,900.00
               9           2      15,000       4.00     5,904,900.00
               7           5      10,000      25.00     6,002,500.00
               7           2      25,000       4.00     6,002,500.00
              10           1      25,000       1.00     6,250,000.00
              13           1      15,000       1.00     6,426,225.00
               8           4      10,000      16.00     6,553,600.00
               8           2      20,000       4.00     6,553,600.00
               8           3      15,000       9.00     8,294,400.00
              12           2      10,000       4.00     8,294,400.00
              12           1      20,000       1.00     8,294,400.00
               7           6      10,000      36.00     8,643,600.00
               7           3      20,000       9.00     8,643,600.00

Page 2 of 5

      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

               7           4      15,000      16.00     8,643,600.00
              14           1      15,000       1.00     8,643,600.00
              10           3      10,000       9.00     9,000,000.00
              10           2      15,000       4.00     9,000,000.00
              11           1      25,000       1.00     9,150,625.00
               8           5      10,000      25.00    10,240,000.00
               8           2      25,000       4.00    10,240,000.00
               9           4      10,000      16.00    10,497,600.00
               9           2      20,000       4.00    10,497,600.00
              13           2      10,000       4.00    11,424,400.00
              13           1      20,000       1.00    11,424,400.00
              12           1      25,000       1.00    12,960,000.00
              11           3      10,000       9.00    13,176,900.00
              11           2      15,000       4.00    13,176,900.00
               9           3      15,000       9.00    13,286,025.00
               7           5      15,000      25.00    13,505,625.00
               7           3      25,000       9.00    13,505,625.00
               8           6      10,000      36.00    14,745,600.00
               8           4      15,000      16.00    14,745,600.00
               8           3      20,000       9.00    14,745,600.00
               7           4      20,000      16.00    15,366,400.00
              14           2      10,000       4.00    15,366,400.00
              14           1      20,000       1.00    15,366,400.00
              10           4      10,000      16.00    16,000,000.00
              10           2      20,000       4.00    16,000,000.00
               9           5      10,000      25.00    16,402,500.00
               9           2      25,000       4.00    16,402,500.00
              13           1      25,000       1.00    17,850,625.00
              12           3      10,000       9.00    18,662,400.00
              12           2      15,000       4.00    18,662,400.00
               7           6      15,000      36.00    19,448,100.00
              10           3      15,000       9.00    20,250,000.00
               8           5      15,000      25.00    23,040,000.00
               8           3      25,000       9.00    23,040,000.00
              11           4      10,000      16.00    23,425,600.00
              11           2      20,000       4.00    23,425,600.00
               9           6      10,000      36.00    23,619,600.00
               9           4      15,000      16.00    23,619,600.00
               9           3      20,000       9.00    23,619,600.00
               7           5      20,000      25.00    24,010,000.00
               7           4      25,000      16.00    24,010,000.00
              14           1      25,000       1.00    24,010,000.00
              10           5      10,000      25.00    25,000,000.00
              10           2      25,000       4.00    25,000,000.00
              13           3      10,000       9.00    25,704,900.00
              13           2      15,000       4.00    25,704,900.00
               8           4      20,000      16.00    26,214,400.00

Page 3 of 5

      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

              11           3      15,000       9.00    29,648,025.00
               8           6      15,000      36.00    33,177,600.00
              12           4      10,000      16.00    33,177,600.00
              12           2      20,000       4.00    33,177,600.00
               7           6      20,000      36.00    34,574,400.00
              14           3      10,000       9.00    34,574,400.00
              14           2      15,000       4.00    34,574,400.00
              10           6      10,000      36.00    36,000,000.00
              10           4      15,000      16.00    36,000,000.00
              10           3      20,000       9.00    36,000,000.00
              11           5      10,000      25.00    36,602,500.00
              11           2      25,000       4.00    36,602,500.00
               9           5      15,000      25.00    36,905,625.00
               9           3      25,000       9.00    36,905,625.00
               7           5      25,000      25.00    37,515,625.00
               8           5      20,000      25.00    40,960,000.00
               8           4      25,000      16.00    40,960,000.00
               9           4      20,000      16.00    41,990,400.00
              12           3      15,000       9.00    41,990,400.00
              13           4      10,000      16.00    45,697,600.00
              13           2      20,000       4.00    45,697,600.00
              12           5      10,000      25.00    51,840,000.00
              12           2      25,000       4.00    51,840,000.00
              11           6      10,000      36.00    52,707,600.00
              11           4      15,000      16.00    52,707,600.00
              11           3      20,000       9.00    52,707,600.00
               9           6      15,000      36.00    53,144,100.00
               7           6      25,000      36.00    54,022,500.00
              10           5      15,000      25.00    56,250,000.00
              10           3      25,000       9.00    56,250,000.00
              13           3      15,000       9.00    57,836,025.00
               8           6      20,000      36.00    58,982,400.00
              14           4      10,000      16.00    61,465,600.00
              14           2      20,000       4.00    61,465,600.00
              10           4      20,000      16.00    64,000,000.00
               9           5      20,000      25.00    65,610,000.00
               9           4      25,000      16.00    65,610,000.00
              13           5      10,000      25.00    71,402,500.00
              13           2      25,000       4.00    71,402,500.00
              12           6      10,000      36.00    74,649,600.00
              12           4      15,000      16.00    74,649,600.00
              12           3      20,000       9.00    74,649,600.00
              14           3      15,000       9.00    77,792,400.00
              10           6      15,000      36.00    81,000,000.00
              11           5      15,000      25.00    82,355,625.00
              11           3      25,000       9.00    82,355,625.00
               8           6      25,000      36.00    92,160,000.00

Page 4 of 5


      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

               8           6      25,000      36.00    92,160,000.00
              11           4      20,000      16.00    93,702,400.00
               9           6      20,000      36.00    94,478,400.00
              14           5      10,000      25.00    96,040,000.00
              14           2      25,000       4.00    96,040,000.00
              10           5      20,000      25.00   100,000,000.00
              10           4      25,000      16.00   100,000,000.00
               9           5      25,000      25.00   102,515,625.00
              13           6      10,000      36.00   102,819,600.00
              13           4      15,000      16.00   102,819,600.00
              13           3      20,000       9.00   102,819,600.00
              12           5      15,000      25.00   116,640,000.00
              12           3      25,000       9.00   116,640,000.00
              11           6      15,000      36.00   118,592,100.00
              12           4      20,000      16.00   132,710,400.00
              14           6      10,000      36.00   138,297,600.00
              14           4      15,000      16.00   138,297,600.00
              14           3      20,000       9.00   138,297,600.00
              10           6      20,000      36.00   144,000,000.00
              11           5      20,000      25.00   146,410,000.00
              11           4      25,000      16.00   146,410,000.00
               9           6      25,000      36.00   147,622,500.00
              10           5      25,000      25.00   156,250,000.00
              13           5      15,000      25.00   160,655,625.00
              13           3      25,000       9.00   160,655,625.00
              12           6      15,000      36.00   167,961,600.00
              13           4      20,000      16.00   182,790,400.00
              12           5      20,000      25.00   207,360,000.00
              12           4      25,000      16.00   207,360,000.00
              11           6      20,000      36.00   210,830,400.00
              14           5      15,000      25.00   216,090,000.00
              14           3      25,000       9.00   216,090,000.00
              10           6      25,000      36.00   225,000,000.00
              11           5      25,000      25.00   228,765,625.00
              13           6      15,000      36.00   231,344,100.00
              14           4      20,000      16.00   245,862,400.00
              13           5      20,000      25.00   285,610,000.00
              13           4      25,000      16.00   285,610,000.00
              12           6      20,000      36.00   298,598,400.00
              14           6      15,000      36.00   311,169,600.00
              12           5      25,000      25.00   324,000,000.00
              11           6      25,000      36.00   329,422,500.00
              14           5      20,000      25.00   384,160,000.00
              14           4      25,000      16.00   384,160,000.00
              13           6      20,000      36.00   411,278,400.00
              13           5      25,000      25.00   446,265,625.00
              12           6      25,000      36.00   466,560,000.00

Page 5 of 5

      PROP_DIAM   PROP_PITCH     RPM       J_FACTOR     PROP_THRUST

              14           6      20,000      36.00   553,190,400.00
              14           5      25,000      25.00   600,250,000.00
              13           6      25,000      36.00   642,622,500.00
              14           6      25,000      36.00   864,360,000.00
122.23The witch doctor is fired !!BZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emSat Apr 18 1987 03:1856
{From RCm, May issue, p 14 

report from Tangerine International RC championships (reported by Don Lowe)

"...Notice that some fliers are now using 11" pitch props ! This is because
static rpm is not what counts -- its how it performs in the air. Static rpm
is good only for comparing different set-ups on the ground. Typically most
modelers under-pitch on their prop choi. As you may recall, what we are af
seeking is an optimum airspeed and vertical performance IN the AIR. A fixed
pitc propeller thst might give exciting rpm and thrust on the ground is often
useles in the air. The reasoning is simply thu: airspeed is responsive to{
engine rpm and ptch or prop blade angle of attack. As the ship moves f
forward,the angle of attack of the blade is decreased due to the vector 
addition of forward velocity (don't sweat it - just accept it. Unless the
engine increases in rpm significantly in the air, the rpm times the blade
angle of attack will not drive the aircraft at airspeed desire. Its the 
old story: max thrust statically is not max thrust at speed. A constant speed
prop (variable itch) is an ideal solution since the blade angle adjusts to
meet the forward speed requirements. If we use a fixed pitch prop, as lmost
all of us, then is a trial and error proces.  "

(Editor note: Not if one uses ones head and does what a little of research, viz
the model in previous notes)

"It would be neat is could have an adjustable pitch prop that we could set on 
the ground to seek the best ccombination. Lacking that we need a good supply
of diameter/pitch combinationsto try."

(Editor Note: Ugh.. tinkerer.. use your head)

"Many modelers follow the route of pitch reduction to gai rpm on the g
ground. That is usually the WRONG action. Quite often trimming diameter
while retaining pitch is a better approach. For a typical FAI set-upNEVER
go below 9" pitch -- note that some fliers are using 11" pitch -- for a
2-stroke engin. NEVER use less than a 10" on a 1.2 cu in 4-stroke; some are
using a 12"pitch.

Th old AMA prop/engine set-up for pattern ships was 11" by 7-8" pitch. This
provide{ adequate airspeed ONLY is the engine turns MUCH higher rpm -- and
that's nois. Remember, airspeed is basically rpm times pitch with suitable
conversion & efficiency factors thrown in. Don't get caught with your pitch
down & your rpm up. For example, 11000 rpm with a 10" pitch prop will give
the same airspeed as 7" pitch turning around 16000 rpm"

(Editor note: Pick say a 12" diam prop. Apply model:

    12 * 10 * 11000 = 1320000
    12 *  7 * 16000= 1344000

Margin of error : 2% -- close enough fo mee !!


With this kind of evidence, who want the witch doctor ?

md

122.24CLOSUS::TAVARESJohn--Stay low, keep movingMon Apr 20 1987 14:4818
Do we have a contradiction here?  Don says that you want a large
diameter prop with high pitch...if I read him right.  The
conclusion stated in .15 and discussed in the next few notes says
that a large diameter and low pitch is what you want.  I know
that Don, being the president of AMA, has a sound (they call it
sound, not noise) axe to grind, but his point about the
difference between static and in-flight test seems well put.  The
equation that our data comes from does only model the static
case; doesn't it?  For myself, because I like quiet engines, any
argument that tells me to slow engine speed by swinging a large
high pitch prop sounds good.

Maybe its because the original idea was for flat-out speed (low
drag) type models, and Don is talking pattern, where the draggy
models are becoming vogue.  What with turnarond, and all.

I'm at the edge of my understanding, someone else has to
straighten out this apparent contradiction.
122.25frly emDPDMAI::GREERMon Apr 20 1987 16:0713
    " ALL PROPS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL " WOODEN ONES AT LEAST. Buy a
    bag of 12 props. Use your PRATHER prop guage and check the pitch.
    You will find that bag of 7" pitch props will vary from 6.5 to 7.5.
    Then bend the prop in your hands to check how stiff they are. It
    will vary widely. The more flexable ones will straighten out to
    some unknown pitch at rpm. One way to find out what they are pulling
    is to put them on a two horse eletric motor in series with an ampmeter.
    See which ones pull the most amps vrs rpm. The net net is you will
    get maybe two good props out of that bag of twelve. I have no
    experience other than wood.
    
    bob
    
122.26it's all in the threadBZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emTue Apr 21 1987 13:3723
    re .-1: The way I read the article is the one should use tradeoff
    rpm for higher pitch. A side effect may be that you will use smaller
    diameter prop.  I will have more example latter (when I get home
    tonite, I plan to redo the  tables.
    
    Also re large prop & low pitch: The J-factor first given was **WRONG**,
    I repeat: **wrong**.  The correct value was pitch / diameter. I
    used the opposite (diam / pitch) the first time around, yielding
    these strange results. To use an anlogy: a fine thread screw (that
    kind use to hold things) take many more turns to get where is going.
    That is similar to a low pitch prop. A coarse thread screw goes
    in a lot faster.  That is similar to a high pitch prop. 
    
    Now You are going to need more force to drive the coarse thread
    screw. (ie: you are going to get a lower rpm) but you may finish
    the job faster (or get more thrust).
    
    I have a another little bit of data to give about props and engines
    latter. (from Clarence Lee's engine clinic in the May RCM). 
    
    md
     
                               
122.27SPKALI::THOMASTue Apr 21 1987 14:5016
    
    One factor you haven't brought into the picture about choosing
    the correct prop is engine desidn related to torque/stroke length.
    I think you will fine that in practical use your engine will rev
    up only to a certain RPM and no more. One easy way to increase
    engine revs is to file the exhaust port top from the inside.Angle
    the top of the port down. This will allow the exhaust port to open
    sooner and increase engine rpms. A second alternative is to angle
    the boost port from the outside edge of the liner upwards. Take
    material off of the bottom of the port. Don't make the port any
    larger just create an angle across the thickness of the liner.
    This will improve fuel intake. If I were you I wouldn't expect this
    engine to last to long. Your efforts to increase rpm's will be adding
    a strain to the engine parts.
    
    							Tom
122.28big prop kills engineBZERKR::DUFRESNEYou make 'em - I break 'emWed Apr 22 1987 17:0432
CLarence Lee (in the May issue of RCM) ran a test on the new OS 40 SURPASS.

As part of the evaluation, he ran some tests with different propellers.
He also compared the results with the OS 40. The SURPASS is rated to have its
max HP at around 12000.

Just for kicks, I decided to apply the pitch * diam * rpm equation to his 
readings and see what came out of it. 

The table below summarizes the readings.

PROP_DIAM  PROP_PITCH    RPM       RPM        THRUST     THRUST      RATIO
                       SURPASS    OS 40       SURPASS    OS 40

      10           6   12,200    10,450       732,000     627,000     0.86
      10           7   10,800         0       756,000           0     0.00
      11           6   10,000     8,750       660,000     577,500     0.88
      11           7    9,600         0       739,200           0     0.00
      12           6    8,600     7,900       619,200     568,800     0.92
      12           7    7,600         0       638,400           0     0.00
      13           5    8,200         0       533,000           0     0.00
      13           6    7,200         0       561,600           0     0.00


Compare the thrust number with the prop & rpm colum. I found it to very 
interesting. For my money, a go choice of props would be either a 10-7 or 11-7.
The 12 & 13 props appear to overwhelm the engine.

Also, the SURPASS appears to be definetly more powerful, especialy at high RPM.
(an indirect measurement of more torque).

md
122.29GIDDAY::CHADDGo Fast; Turn LeftSun Jul 10 1988 00:2118
This subject has been quiet for a time so I thought I might kick it back into 
life with something I saw last week.

I saw a program that produced a graph of propeller performance plotting thrust, 
required input power and therefore efficiency. a propeller designed by  
this program is being used by Chris White who is flying F3A at your Nats. It 
looks very strange however it is efficient and quiet, Chris is now under 90db at 
1 meter.

If you get a chance have a look at the prop.

Incidentally the program runs on a HP computer and requires input of RPM and 
available BHP and produces the design as pitch/cord and profile at various 
stations on the props diameter.

Any body seen this program, it was supposedly used for the design of full size 
props.
John
122.30MA had some stuffBZERKR::DUFRESNEVAXKLR - You make'em, I break'emMon Jul 11 1988 13:1317
    well, now that you mention it, there was a small blurb on the current
    issue of Model Aviation about the their researcheffort into props.
    There was a equation given that apparently measure the BHP _absorbed_
    by the prop as a function of pitch, diam & RPM. The equation is
    similar to the one presented in earlier responses of this notes
    This I found to be useful 'cause one usually does not get a BHP
    curve for an engine and measuring one is a pain. (I haven't come
    up with a simple test stand set-up to do so..).
    
    Alose mentioned in the article is a reference to the october 1986
    issue of Model Aviation where there was a detailed article on props.
    
    COuld anyone look up their archives and possibly send me a copy??
    
    tx,
    
    md
122.32I don't understand the codeCHGV04::KAPLOWsixteen bit paleontologistWed Jul 13 1988 21:497
        I've got a prop design program used by both MIT and MacCready for
        their human powered aircraft. I just don't understand it enough to
        make it do anything useful. Copies available upon request via
        VAXmail. 
        
        I'm in the process of tracking down another famous program, Dr.
        Eppler's airfoil code. If I get it, I'll let folks know. 
122.37it's with everything elseCHGV04::KAPLOWSet the WAYBACK machine for 1982Thu Jul 14 1988 22:3527
        Alright, already. I don't have time to read this conference every
        day. The program isn't that big, but I'd rather continue with the
        pointer so that we don't fill up this file with dozens of versions
        of the same code. I've announced the location of all my model
        realted programs before, but PROP.FOR and others can be found in: 

               	CHGV04::DISK$RGK:[ROCKETS.PROGRAMS] 

        Also there is a PROP.DAT file which will at least run and cause
        the code to print something out without aborting. I have NO IDEA
        WHATSOEVER what this thing is doing. Anyone who can explain it to
        me has my thanks. 
        
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122.38More prop formulasK::FISHERKick the tires, light the fires, and GO!Wed Dec 28 1988 16:1729
>< Note 122.22 by BZERKR::DUFRESNE "You make 'em - I break 'em" >
>                              -< the last word ? >-
>
>Ok, here are the lastest numbers. 
>
>Prop_thrust was computed as J_factor * (rpm_sq / 100000) * diam_exp_4
>
>where:
>
>J_factor = (prop_pitch / prop_diam) * (prop_pitch * prop_diam)
>rpm_sq= rpm * rpm
>diam_exp_4 = (((prop_diam *prop_diam)*prop_diam)*prop_diam)
>
>(I did computed it this way in order to see intermediate value & because 
>TEAMDATA is a bit dumb with formulas)
>
>rpm_sq was divided by 100000  because I can only print 15 digits and the last
>6 digits where always 0
>

In the Dec-1988 issue of Model Builder in the Electric Power column by
Mitch Poling he published a formula:

Horsepower = P x D^4 x rpm^3/1.4 x 10^17

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
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122.39Pounds ?BLARRY::BonnetteThu Mar 17 1994 12:264
  Does anyone know of a formula that produces thrust in pounds instead of
cu inches of air moved ? 

			Larry