Static testing of micro propellers

Available performance data for micro propellers are very lacking. Prediction of micro propeller performance is made difficult due to the small Reynolds numbers (less than 50,000) at which the propellers operate. A test rig was designed and built at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in order to measure the static performance of micro propellers. A load cell and torque transducer measure the thrust and torque, respectively, created by a propeller. These results are then used to find the static thrust and power coefficients. Eighteen two-bladed propellers from different manufacturers and two three-bladed propellers were tested with diameters ranging from 2.25 in. to 5 in. The hovering capabilities of the propellers were also analyzed.