17.1 Fundamentals Flashcards
propellers made their debut when
late 19th century
first propeller designs included
simple wood and fabric paddles to complex multi-bladed wire-braced designs, some of which were used successfully to propel dirigibles.
the increase in aircraft size, speed, and engine power required further improvements in propeller design.
at what time period
during world war 1 and the years immediately after
These designs included the four-bladed propeller, aluminium fixed pitch propellers, and the two-position controllable propeller.
The advantage of being able to alter the propeller blade angle in flight led to the
acceptance of the two-position propeller and the development of the constant-speed propeller system
Propeller -
A device, consisting of a rotating hub with two or more radiating blades; used to propel an aircraft.
Further developments during the period leading up to, and during World War II included the
feathering propeller and the reversing propeller.
Hub -
The central portion of a propeller which carries the blades.
Blade -
Aerofoil section that is attached to the hub
Blade root/shank
The thickened portion of the blade nearest to the hub.
Blade station
A distance measured from the centre of rotation, normally measured in inches or centimetres
Master reference station
A distance is measured from the centre of rotation where all measurements are taken from.
Normally 75% from the centre of rotation on a fixed-pitch propeller and can be 50–75% on a variable pitch propeller
Blade face -
The flat thrust producing side of a propeller blade
Blade back
The curved side of the propeller blade facing the direction of flight
Blade chord line
A line through the blade profile at the points between the face and back surfaces
Plane of rotation
The plane in which the propeller rotates. This is 90° to the engine centreline
Blade angle
The angle between the blade chord line and the plane of rotation
Pitch
Distance advanced in one complete revolution
Pitch change mechanism
Device to alter blade angle
Fine pitch
Vertical blade angles. Also referred to as “Low pitch”.
Coarse pitch
Horizontal blade angles. Also referred to as “High pitch”.
Reverse pitch
Turning the propeller blades to a negative angle to produce braking or reversing thrust.
Dome assembly
Encases the pitch change mechanism.
Spinner
An aerodynamic fairing that covers the centre of the propeller
Tractor propeller
A propeller mounted in front of the leading edge of the wing or on the nose of the aircraft.