Effect of Multiple Grooves on Aerodynamic Performance of a Low Reynolds Number UAV Propeller (Part II)

Abstract

In an continuation of work previously performed by the author on grooved propellers, numerical investigations are performed on Applied Precision Composites 10×7 Slow Flyer propeller. Computational Fluid Dynamics is used to analyze the novel design. The grooved sections considered have a rectangular geometry measuring 0.1×0.1mm are placed interchangeably at 0.09c, 0.17c, 0.32c and 0.42c from the leading edge in a multi-grooved configuration i.e. more than 2 grooves. The results of the study showed that the presence of grooves had modified the flow characteristics only to detrimentally impact the thrust performance. However, the grooves improved power performance due to torque reduction. The analysis of the results showed that, in most models, low torque relative to the baseline in the operational range of the low to medium advance ratio range exists. The improvement in torque, however, did not improve efficiency in all models.