Subject: Prop fabrication
From: Rotary Engine
Date: 7/13/2006, 11:34 AM
To: AAme


   After seeing Perry's prop, and having to wait for the funds to buy a
   prop, I've been mulling over the idea of building my own prop. I could
   go with a two bladed or three. I'm assuming a top speed of around 210
   mph, 190 hp, 72 inch diameter prop 2.85/1 redrive turning up to 7000
   rpm. I'm working out the pitch angles on the blade with 77inches pitch
   at the tip. If I do this, I want to make the blades in a monolithic
   pour, rather than making the blades first and then fixing them into a
   hub. I have acess to a metal lathe, so I could turn inserts for prop
   bolt bushings. Still in the thinking stage-

   what type of planform for the blades- rectangular, or eliptical? How
   wide should the cord be on the blades? Thickness?

   should I go with a 2 or 3 bladed prop? I want to be able to have a nice
   cruise speed, but still be able to get into reasonably short airstrips.
   Emphasis on speed over stol capabliities.

   Where do I get carbon fiber "yarn"? I know where to get fabric, but not
   yarn.

   Anyone have the exact measurements of an SAE 2 hub?

   Any input about pitch?

   Any and all input is welcome. I'm trying to conceptuallize a molding
   device that I can build that would enable me to make a monlithic layup
   and force resin uniformly throughout the mold. I like the idea of
   winding carbon fiber throughout the mold and around the prop bolt
   bushings to make the strongest possible prop.

   Brian Trubee
   RV-4/13 BREW


I use a basic program from the Martin Hollman book "Modern Propeller and
Duct Design". It won't design a prop for you, but it will analyze the
performance of a prop if you enter all the parameters at several
stations along the blade. So you can enter a design and then change
things and see what happens.

I don't know about carbon fiber yarn, it's probably available somewhere.
I use unidirectional carbon fiber cloth.

Perry


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