Measurement system for small propeller propulsion

Abstract

The propeller propulsion is mainly used kind of propulsion in small unmanned flying vehicles. In this propulsion an engine, in the most cases electric motor, powers the propeller which produces thrust. The efficiency of the use of engine energy by propeller depends on the proper propeller design or selection taking into account operating conditions. The whole propulsion characteristics are important for the numerical model development and advanced control systems. The optimized propeller increases the flight time of the particular vehicle. The test stand and testing method are main subjects of the paper. The tests of the motor with propeller or propeller only using some motor needs measurement devices of important variables, which are specified by theoretical analysis. Besides the measured system structure, main parts and user interface the sample results of raw data, computed propeller parameters, and pressure distribution along propeller blade are presented. The last data gives possibility for further analysis of the influence of a propeller geometry on propulsion parameters.