Role on Moment of Inertia and Vortex Dynamics for a Thin Rotating Plate

Yoshihiro Kubota, Osamu Mochizuki

Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University, Saitama, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/wjm.2013.36028                

Abstract

In this study, we focused on the lift generation with a thin rotating plate. The objective of this study is to understand the appropriate shape and the role of vortex for rotating thin plate. We determined the shape of the plate through free-flight tests of paper strips and investigated the aerodynamic characteristics of the rotating plate with the selected shape. The rectangular plate with an aspect ratio 7 was relevant from moment of inertia and bending stress. An endplate on a wing tip increased the stability on the lateral vortex structure behind the rotating plate. Velocity field measurement by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) showed that the lift force was generated twice in a rotating cycle.

Keywords

Autorotation; Thin Rotating Plate; Free Flight; Moment of Inertia; Visualization; PIV

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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