Numerical and experimental investigation of isolated propeller wakesin axial flight

Abstract

Complementary numerical and experimental studies were used to investigate the isolated propeller aerodynamic field over a large range of operating parameters of the axial flight regime. The numerical approach is based on a free-wake-analysis calculation that uses a new complete equilibrium procedure for the wake divided into near and far regions. Measurements of instantaneous velocities, as well as overall thrust and torque, were performed to determine the wake geometry and the three-dimensional vortex flow streaming back from the propeller. A large check of the code efficiency to predict both overall and local aerodynamic quantities is realized through extensive comparisons with experimental data obtained on a model scale of a four-bladed propeller. From the present results, the code predictions are shown to be in good agreement with experiments for different axial flight conditions of the isolated propeller.