During the third system analysis lab, students learned how to calibrate the wind tunnel and thrust stand equipment. Through the use of the wind tunnel and thrust stand students found the propulsion efficiency of the motor and rotor blade configuration. This process allowed the students to choose the rotor blade that would allow the AEV to reach peak efficiency. This type of testing is crucial to the scientific community because it allows scientists to rule out inefficient combinations to their designs. A measure of a vehicle’s efficiency, power output divided by power input, can be taken through other means of testing as well. For example, an automobile would utilize a different testing procedure than an airplane.
In conclusion the puller configuration, with a 3.0 inch diameter propeller was the most efficient setup. This can be seen in figure 5, the maximum on the graph produces the most power efficient advance ratio. So the AEV can move at a faster rate, while using the power most efficiently. The 2.5 inch propeller would be a poor choice for the AEV. For both the puller, and pusher configuration, each had a low advance ratio with a low efficient use of power. This can be seen in figures 7, and 9. So the 2.5 inch propeller proves to an inefficient choice for the AEV.