PIV investigation of a propeller at thrust reverse

Abstract

The current experimental investigation focuses on the flow phenomena at the application of thrust reverse on a propeller equipped half-model. Lacking any visual information on this phenomenon and the inability of numerical predictions to calculate a periodically unsteady flow dominated by large regions of separation, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is very suitable for providing instantaneous and averaged velocity (and velocity-derived quantities) field data and giving insight in the flow phe-nomena occurring in these particular flows. Moreover, PIV has matured over the years to the point that sit can be readily used in industrial wind tunnels (Stanislas et al., 2000). There is a need to gain knowl-edge of the unsteady nature of propeller flow in order to be able to validate current CFD codes. Ex-perimental velocity information around the propeller at thrust reverse also allows an identification of the unsteady behaviour of this type of flow. In addition, by comparing two different blade pitch angle settings for the same thrust reverse force one setting is preferred.