Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Aviation Program Group
Foundation for Promotion of Japanese Aerospace Technology
Sumitomo Precision Products Co. Ltd.
Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen) Inc.
The propulsion performance and propeller characteristics on hull-propellers system within the propulsion system are taken up in this paper toward the realization of the stratospheric platform airship. First of all, the efficiencies of multi-propellers were studied. Next, the mutual interference analysis of the hull-propellers system was carried out by the method of ship engineering on the propulsion performance. Furthermore, the propulsion performance of the propellers that were arranged to the hull was calculated, and the hull interference by the propellers was shown. In the end, propeller characteristics used at stratosphere were analyzed in the aerodynamics and structure. In addition multi-propellers and light loading propeller were examined. As a result, the low Reynolds number propeller for stratosphere was designed and examined for use. The improvement of the propulsion efficiency by the stern propeller was confirmed as a result of the examination. Furthermore, the relaxation of the low revolutions of propeller in stratosphere was improved by the designed low Reynolds number propeller. Also the weight reduction of this propeller was attained.