Analytical Analysis of Propellers Using MATLAB

Abstract

A propeller is a device designed to convert rotational motion from an engine or motor into thrust, which in turn propels a vehicle. This study focuses on developing a computational tool to analyze the performance of various propeller geometries at a constant rotational speed across a range of advance ratios. Utilizing the Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT), this tool integrates MATLAB coding to simulate and compare performance metrics with empirical data from wind tunnel tests on the APC 10x7 Thin Electric propeller. This approach not only aids in understanding the aerodynamic characteristics of propellers but also enhances the design and optimization processes by providing a deeper insight into the influence of different geometric parameters on propeller performance. Key Terms ⎯ Blade element momentum theory, Power coefficient, Propeller efficiency, Thrust coefficient.