The design of small propellers operating at low Reynolds numbers and associated experimental evaluation.

Small-scale Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) are becoming increasingly important in the field of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. As the desire for higher payloads and longer flight times increases, so does the need to optimize the performance of UAS components. It has been found that small UASs using propeller and electric motor combinations are susceptible to decreased efficiencies while operating in low Reynolds numbers conditions. This work details contributions made by Baylor University, in collaboration with the United States Air Force Academy, which include a custom propeller design, analysis, and solid-modeling code for experimental propeller models and a propeller test stand for use in the Baylor University subsonic wind tunnel with accompanying data acquisition code. As a result of the 46 custom propellers designed and tested, an efficiency increase of 7% and noise signature decrease of 12 dB has been achieved when compared to stock propellers on UASs of interest.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.M.E.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Liller, William R.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Van Treuren, Kenneth W.

• Small propellers.
• Low Reynolds numbers.
• UAS propulsion.
• UAV propulsion.
• Small propeller design.
• Small propeller testing.
• Small propeller noise.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/9502

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/9502