Contra‐rotating propeller for fixed wing MAV: part 2

Abstract

Purpose – This is the second of two companion papers presenting the results of research into a contra‐rotating propeller designed to drive a super manoeuvrable micro air vehicle (MAV) and is devoted to the experimental results. The first paper presented the design process and numerical analyses.Design/methodology/approach – Most of experiments were conducted in the wind tunnel. Both contra‐rotating and conventional propellers were tested. The test procedures and equipment are described first. The attention is focused on the design of an aerodynamic balance used in the experiment. Then, the measurement error is discussed, followed by presentation of the wind tunnel results. Finally, an initial flight test of the MAV equipped with contra‐rotating propeller is briefly described.Findings – Wind tunnel experiment results fall between theoretical results presented in the first part of the paper. The application of contra‐rotating propeller allowed to develop the propulsion system with zero torque. Moreover, the...