Design Research on a Bionic Anti-drag Propeller

China college students “Internet+” Innovation Competition Project *

• 📍Ministry of Education 🇨🇳

• 📅 04/2017-04/2018

• 👨‍🏫supervised by Prof. Yangang Wang

  Idea proposer, poroject manager and key participant of team of 7, in charge of 3D modeling, CFD simulation

• Catia, Gambit, fluent

Abstract

In this study, the drag reduction propeller with serrated leading edge is designed based on the bionics principle-the fin of humpback whale. It is divided into 4 steps, CFD simulation of three kinds of straight airfoil, propeller design, propeller strength design, propeller modeling, propeller 3D printing, from the design and selection of the foundation straight airfoil to the design and research of the three-dimensional propeller. In the last step, a simple experimental verification was carried out. Finally, a conclusion is drawn that the standard-sin leading edge airfoil shows a better characteristic line and the bionics propeller possesses a higher proficiency.

Key pictures and conclusions

Airfoil simulation

CFD simulation of three kinds of straight airfoil are performed:

• before the angle of attack, the drag of the two concave leading edge models is significantly reduced compared with the standard leading edge
• the sinus model possesses the best lift drag profile, and this will be taken to 3D model

3D Propeller design

modeling

• Leading edge: $-45 z=0.5/12\times9.3133\times sin(0.3373\times3\times y)$

• Torsion center: wing center

• Torsion angle: $-45$-$0$ degrees linear distribution

this is the final propeller design with optimised propelling efficiency before the critical rotational speed.

by further strength analysis, the critical rotational speed is $n_{max} = 7339.27 r/min$

Ground experiment

Build the propeller experiment cart shown below, acceleration of the cart is recorded:

Here is the result:

The designed is proved to be affective!

* Refer to the pdf(in Chinese) for more details.