The Response of a Propulsor to Random Velocity Fluctuations

摘要

The response of a propulsor to random velocity fluctuations is analyzed. As a special case, the theory is used to predict the force fluctuations on a low-solidity propeller having blades of high aspect ratio and operating in a homogeneous, isotropic turbulence field. The response is studied with respect to two functions that involve the ratios of the propeller diameter and of the chord of the blades to a characteristic length scale of the energy containing eddies. Experiments were performed in a water tunnel with a free-stream propeller placed downstream of grids of various mesh sizes, with good agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental results.