Session: 01-02-03: Adaptive and Multifunctional Structures

Paper Number: 138544

138544 - Design of an Internal Rollable Spar for an Instability Based Deployable Propeller Blade 

When dealing with limited propeller blade size, engineers often face the challenge of adapting smaller blades. On the contrary, the utilization of larger propellers equipped with auto-deployment features can significantly amplify launch capabilities and enhance blade efficiency. Taking inspiration from the rapid wing deployment observed in ladybird beetles, this propeller blade utilizes snap-through buckling with thin curved shells to induce rapid, extensive, and reversible shape changes. However, an inherent challenge lies in balancing the ability to withstand aerodynamic forces while ensuring efficient packaging. To overcome this, the proposed propeller blade undergoes iterative refinement with various inner structural designs to integrate added stiffness. These designs allow the blade to collapse efficiently, aligning with the packaging requirements. This paper delves into an exploration of diverse inner structure designs for a deployable propeller blade through a comprehensive approach involving prototyping, finite element analysis, and computational fluid dynamics

Presenting Author: Annan Mashin Univeristy of Central Florida

Presenting Author Biography: A PhD student at the University of Central Florida working under Dr. Kawai Kwok in the structures and Materials Lab, researching an instability based deployment for a deploying propeller blade.