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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Aerodynamic design considerations for a free-flying ducted propeller

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6911850

The design philosophy for a free-flying vehicle powered by a ducted propeller is presented from an aerodynamic viewpoint. Airframe design concentrates on duct inlet lip curvature, diffuser angle, and methods of vehicle control. Wind tunnel test results are given to evaluate two inlet designs, two exit designs, and the effect of external appendages such as a camera pod or a forebody. Finally, a simple, analytic method of ducted propeller blade design is presented and the results compared with an existing ducted propeller blade. 14 refs., 28 figs., 2 tabs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6911850
Report Number(s):
SAND-88-0021C; CONF-880836-1; ON: DE88006867
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English