Investigating the vibrational behaviour of a rotating two-blade propeller by using a self-tracking method. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ashory, Mohammad-Reza; Talebi, Farhad; Ghadikolaei, Heydar R; Karimpour, Morad
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 233:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 835
• Page End: 847
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Self-tracking -- laser Doppler vibrometry -- two-blade propeller -- natural frequency -- mode shape; Mechanical engineering -- Periodicals; 621.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0954406218764514
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-4062

Abstract

This study investigated the vibrational behaviour of a rotating two-blade propeller at different rotational speeds by using self-tracking laser Doppler vibrometry. Given that a self-tracking method necessitates the accurate adjustment of test setups to reduce measurement errors, a test table with sufficient rigidity was designed and built to enable the adjustment and repair of test components. The results of the self-tracking test on the rotating propeller indicated an increase in natural frequency and a decrease in the amplitude of normalized mode shapes as rotational speed increases. To assess the test results, a numerical model created in ABAQUS was used. The model parameters were tuned in such a way that the natural frequency and associated mode shapes were in good agreement with those derived using a hammer test on a stationary propeller. The mode shapes obtained from the hammer test and the numerical (ABAQUS) modelling were compared using the modal assurance criterion. The examination indicated a strong resemblance between the hammer test results and the numerical findings. Hence, the model can be employed to determine the other mechanical properties of two-blade propellers in test scenarios.