Re:A Little Gear That Could Reshape the Jet Engine
by iSnow on Tuesday October 20, 2015 @04:18AM
(#10418033)
Is this why on the Antonov-70 and the military Airbus, they have those strange curved multi-blade props?
Re:A Little Gear That Could Reshape the Jet Engine
by ckozlowski on Tuesday October 20, 2015 @04:41AM
(#10418089)
The curving of the blades I don't think is intended to support faster blade speeds at all, but rather scoop air more efficiently. Computer modeling has enabled designers to develop much more advanced blade designs.
And BuffloBagel is right, I got that part wrong. I think what I was trying to say is that a turboprop supports faster aircraft speeds than a traditional engine. But yes, the propeller remains subsonic.
Unless you're experimenting with madness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_XF-84H
Edit: So apparently the Tu-95 does have supersonic turboprops. But I think it's the only production aircraft with them. Also, it's loud as hell. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-95
You're mistaken. Prop speeds are comparable between piston and turbine engines. Bigger, slower moving props are preferable. When prop tip speeds approach the transonic region, on either turbine or piston power plants, efficiency goes south.