Basic Knowledge of Propellers
As the power output terminal of multi – rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), propellers are primarily tasked with converting the rotational force generated by the motor into thrust. This enables the UAV to ascend, move forward, or execute various complex flight maneuvers. Propellers can be classified based on the number of blades into single – blade, double – blade, triple – blade, and even multi – blade designs. For multi – rotor UAVs, two – bladed and four – bladed propellers are the most commonly used, striking a balance among efficiency, noise, and manufacturing costs.
Material and Structure
Modern multi – rotor UAV propellers are typically crafted from lightweight yet robust materials, such as carbon fiber, engineering plastics (e.g., ABS, polycarbonate), or nylon. This ensures they are both lightweight and durable during high – speed rotation. A propeller’s structure is divided into two components: the hub (the central part) and the blades. The shape and inclination design of the blades directly impact the propeller’s lift efficiency and stability.
Operational Principle
The lift generation of a propeller adheres to the principles of aerodynamics. When the propeller rotates, the blades slice through the air, generating upward lift via the pressure differential on the blade surfaces. The leading edge of the blade is thinner, while the trailing edge is thicker, creating a certain curvature. This accelerates the air passing over the blade and reduces pressure. According to Bernoulli’s principle, an upward force is thereby produced. Additionally, the rotation direction of the propeller is of great significance. Multi – rotor UAVs typically employ propellers on the diagonals rotating in opposite directions to counteract the aircraft’s torque effect and maintain flight stability.
Selection and Calibration of Propellers
Selecting the appropriate propeller is crucial for enhancing UAV performance. Propellers with a large diameter and low pitch (i.e., the degree of blade bending) are suitable for applications demanding high lift and low speed, such as heavy – load or low – noise flight. Conversely, propellers with a small diameter and high pitch are ideal for high – speed flight. Moreover, proper balancing and pitch adjustment can minimize vibration, improve flight efficiency, and extend battery endurance.
Impact on Flight Performance
The performance of propellers directly influences a UAV’s flight speed, stability, endurance, and noise level. An optimized propeller configuration can make UAVs more energy – efficient, enabling longer flight times or faster response speeds. Meanwhile, a rational selection of propellers can also enhance a UAV’s adaptability in complex environments, such as maintaining stable hovering and flight in high – wind conditions.
In summary, although the propellers of multi – rotor UAVs are small, they bear the heavy responsibility of allowing UAVs to soar in the sky. From material selection to fine – tuning, every step embodies the perfect integration of technological innovation and the art of flight, enabling these aerial marvels to play an irreplaceable role in diverse fields such as agricultural monitoring, film and television shooting, and logistics distribution.
Application
Carbon fiber propellers of various sizes are widely utilized in applications such as firefighting, surveying, monitoring, logistics, express delivery, military and police equipment, and university research projects.
Super – strong and ultra – light carbon fiber propellers are compatible with a wide variety of drones.
