The aerodynamic literature on 'winglets' or 'tip sails' is reviewed. These are appendages placed at the tips of wings for the purpose of reducing induced drag. It was concluded that similar appendages placed at the tips of marine propeller blades are also likely to improve the performance characteristics of marine propellers. Several different sets of tip sails were designed based on the aerodynamic experience and placed at the tips of an off-the-shelf marine propeller. The propeller was tested in various configurations with the tip sails in place. Plots of thrust coefficient, torque coefficient, and efficiency were prepared and compared with those of the bare propeller. The maximum efficiency did not rise above that for the bare propeller in any of the tests, and, in fact, sheet cavitation appeared on the sails at a far lower rotational speed than cavitation appeared on the blades themselves. It is therefore concluded that tip sails designed according to the aerodynamic experience were of no value.
Feasibility Study of the Effectiveness of Tip Sails on Propeller Performance
1980
59 pages
Report
No indication
English
Feasibility study of the effectiveness of tip sails on propeller performance
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