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Design selection of experimental test rig for static thrust on micro size propeller using Pugh method

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sep2024

Noor Iswadi Ismail

Mechanical Engineering Studies, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang Branch, Permatang Pauh Campus, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Muhammad Amirul Hakim Amir

Mechanical Engineering Studies, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang Branch, Permatang Pauh Campus, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

M. Hisyam Basri

Mechanical Engineering Studies, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang Branch, Permatang Pauh Campus, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Hazim Sharudin

Mechanical Engineering Studies, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, Johor, Malaysia

Sharzali Che Mat

Mechanical Engineering Studies, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang Branch, Permatang Pauh Campus, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Muhammad Arif Ab Hamid Pahmi

Mechanical Engineering Studies, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang Branch, Permatang Pauh Campus, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Azmi Husin

Mechanical Engineering Studies, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang Branch, Permatang Pauh Campus, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Rozaini Othman

Mechanical Engineering Studies, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang Branch, Permatang Pauh Campus, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Umar Kassim

Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, UniCITI Alam Campus, Universiti Malaysia Perlis 02100 Padang Besar, Perlis, Malaysia

Abstract

This paper aims to propose a simple, straightforward, yet robust test rig design to measure the static thrust magnitude for small propellers. Although there were advanced tools like multi-axis force or torque sensors, sophisticated equipment and complex mechanisms were required to capture the accurate thrust magnitude. Therefore, providing simple and effective test rig design for small-sized propellers is quite challenging. In this work, Pugh matrix analysis was used to evaluate three new designs of Propeller Thrust Measurement Rig (PMTR) and compare the designs against a benchmark model. The evaluation covered important design criteria during test operation, such as measurement accuracy, stability, ease of development, assembly, maintenance, versatility, electronic integration, airflow interference, adaptability for tilt angle studies, and resemblance to multicopter flight conditions. The results reveal that the PMTR-1 design scored the highest in the analysis and emerged as the most suitable candidate among the proposed designs. It showed potential superior performance in stability, ease of development and assembly, versatility, simplicity, airflow management, and adaptability for future studies. PMTR-3 demonstrated some potential but needs more enhancement in electronic integration and structural development. However, PMTR-2 faces significant potential challenges in providing stability, versatility, electronic integration, and adaptability for effective and safe operations.

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Keyword: Static thrust test rig, Propeller Thrust Measurement, Micro sized propellers, Pugh method, Aircraft Propeller testing, Test rig analysis

DOI:10.24191/esteem.v20iSeptember.1754.g1707

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