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Re: T&T: propeller question

From: Glenn Williams (no email)
Date: Wed Aug 01 2007 - 18:50:18 EDT

  • Next message: Frank Burrows: "T&T: Emerson SmartSet Alarms"

    <<<<<If you follow your argument to its logical conclusion one would say
    that a 2 blade prop would provide more thrust than a 3 blade prop of equal
    diameter and pitch. I doubt that is true.
        I hope you would agree that 3 blade props are not 'better' than 4 blade

    Props>>>>

    Here's what Gerr says about number of blades:

    "This brings us to the question: how many blades? Surprisingly, the ideal is
    one. A single blade does not have other blades disturbing the water flow
    ahead of it. But trying to get a single blade propeller to balance is sort
    of like trying to clap with one hand. Two blades are the logical answer.
    Both sailboats that need to reduce drag and high speed powerboats sometimes
    use two bladed props. The problem with two blades for ordinary craft is that
    you'd need a whopping big diameter to get all the blade area required to
    drive you effectively. Enter the standard three-bladed prop. This
    configuration has proven to be the best compromise between balance, area and
    efficiency.

    Of course there are props with four, five and even more blades. They are
    useful for two reasons. First, with their extra blades you can get more area
    with less diameter. So if you needed a 20 inch screw but only had room for
    an 18 incher, you could use say, a four bladed prop.
    THE FOUR BLADER WOULD GENERATE ALMOST AS MUCH THRUST AS THE THREE-BLADER.
    IT WOULD NEVER BE QUITE AS EFFICIENT BECAUSE WITH THE BLADES CLOSER
    TOGETHER, THEY SCRAMBLE UP EACH OTHERS WATER FLOW - LITERALLY GETTING IN
    EACH OTHER'S WAY"

    The capitals are mine, not Dave Gerr's.
    Cheers
    Glenn.
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