Scaling the thrust and deformations of a rotor with flexible blades

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the problem of a propulsive rotor submerged in water with flexible blades in both spanwise and chordwise directions. When we rotate the propeller and set an incoming flow, the blades bend and twist. We report measurements of forces and associated blade deformations. We show how the direction and magnitude of the deformation can be understood through simple geometric arguments, and highlight a relationship between the thrust and bending angle.