New Test Techniques and Analytical Procedures for Understanding the Behavior of Advanced Propellers

New analytical procedures and experimental techniques are being developed to improve the capability to design advanced high speed propellers. Some results from the propeller lifting line and lifting surface aerodynamic analysis codes are compared with propeller force data, probe data and new laser velocimeter data. In general, the code comparisons with data indicate good qualitative agreement. A new rotating propeller force balance demonstrated good accuracy and reduced test time by 50 percent. Results from three new propeller flow visualization techniques are shown which illustrate some of the physical phenomena occurring on these propellers.