Experimental Validation of a Ducted Propeller Analysis Method

A ducted propeller model was tested in the MIT water tunnel. A hub apparatus was designed which allowed for the duct and propeller forces to be measured separately. The forces on the duct and propeller were measured over a range of advance coefficients. Velocities were measured upstream and downstream from the duct using a Laser Doppler Velocimetry system. Using these velocities the experimental values for the spanwise distribution of circulation on the propeller blades were then calculated. The experimental results were compared to the results from a propeller lifting surface/duct and hub surface panel analysis code over the same range of advance coefficients showing very good agreement for the duct and propeller forces and the circulation in the region of attached flow.