IMPROVED PROPELLER EFFICIENCY WITH SMALLER-AREA BLADES

Studies carried out in Japan on the influence of propeller blade area on propeller efficiency are described. They seem to indicate that the improvement of propeller efficiency is closely related to the reduction of the blade area ratio, up to a point; excessive reduction, for certain propellers, affects blade strength and the accuracy of model tests. Results of the studies are summarized in figures which show, respectively, the influence of the Reynolds number on the propeller characteristics of a smaller-area bladed propeller for a large-diameter, slow propeller; the influence of blade section shape on the characteristics of two different propellers with reduced blade areas; and a comparison of stress distribution between a conventional propeller and one with a smaller blade area. A table compares blade area ratio per blade and propulsive efficiency for a conventional propeller, a slow, large- diameter propeller, and a counter-rotating propeller.

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  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Journal article
  • Authors:
    • Kubo, H
  • Publication Date: 1989

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00657472
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Maritime Technical Information Facility
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jul 21 1994 12:00AM