Why don't wings have dimples?
"Peter Dohm" wrote
You're right. Then we could prove a lot one way or the other--especially
if
a little smoke was part of the system. There would still be the effects
of
scale and Reynolds number, which are supposed to be quite significant, but
a
lot could still be learned. At least it should be possible to either
verify
or deny the assertion that grooved or dimpled props produce a virtual
"switch pitch" effect.
Maybe next year.
I would be willing to bet a month's salary that at *least* one of the big
prop makers have done all of this kind of research.
After all, these companies strive to eek out hundredths of a percent
improval of propeller efficiency.
Any takers?
April Fools! (so I'm a little late, sue me! g) I'm too poor (and not
enough of a gambler) to risk any of my salary, even if it is a "sure thing"
bet! g
Still my point stands. Me thinks that if these tricks have not shown up on
your manufactured props, the gain is not significant enough to be worth the
effort of incorporating them into the props.
--
Jim in NC
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