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Propeller pitch

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kmpillai

Mechanical
Joined
Feb 2, 2001
Messages
87
Location
IN
Hi Friends,
In the propeller specification the diameter and pitch is given. What is the pitch of a propeller? and how it can be measured?

KMP
 
kmpillai,

The "design" pitch is based on the angle-of-attack of the airfoil section at a given station from the propeller rotational axis (centerline of propeller hub). Having worked for a propeller manufacturer once-upon-a-time I think ours, if I remember correctly, were measured from the blade face (opposite the camber side) to a plane parallel to the prop mounting flange at the 30" station. We made mostly variable pitch & constant speed propellers. There were variations (sometimes 10-20) on a given blade design that might have a slightly different twist resulting in a slightly different pitch. The pitch could also vary according to the blade's required position in the hub and the settings for a given application. It could be different for other manufacturers. So Check with the manufacturer to determine the actual location for the spec given.
 
kmpillai,

What rcass said is correct, but in simpler terms it is the distance that a propeller would travel if turned one full rotation assuming no losses or slippage.

Being an automotive guy, it was explained to me that increasing your pitch is like a higher gear. A low pitch prop will give you better acceleration but a lower top speed on a given engine.

There are alot of pitch gauges out there, below is a link to a picture of a hobby type gauge.

 
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