Title

PROOF OF CONCEPT FOR PROPELLER PERFORMANCE TESTING IN THE CAL POLY WIND TUNNEL

Author(s) Information

Alex N. May, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Clayton R. Green, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Clinton J. Kirsop, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Jason A. Schupp, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Aerospace Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Aerospace Engineering

Date

6-2013

Primary Advisor

Daniel Wait, College of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

The goal of this experiment was to execute a proof of concept for a potential propulsion systems laboratory. During the course of this experiment, a data acquisition system was designed, built, and tested in order to collect data from the Cal Poly 3x4 ft draw-down wind tunnel. By operating a brushless outrunner motor and propeller on the sting mount, data was collected for thrust, torque, RPM, current, voltage, and tunnel velocity. By obtaining data for each of these performance metrics, trends were analyzed to confirm the concept and apparatus was functional. The results of the experiment revealed that the concept was successful on a level that could be applied to a teaching laboratory with the implementation of a few key improvements.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/aerosp/123