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Unsteady surface pressure measurements of propeller-wing interaction with a MEMS-embedded sleeve

Journal Article (2026)
Author(s)

P. Comunian (Politecnico di Torino)

G. Cafiero (Politecnico di Torino)

J. Serpieri (Politecnico di Torino)

F. Avallone (Politecnico di Torino)

R. Zamponi (von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, TU Delft - Wind Energy)

D. Ragni (TU Delft - Wind Energy)

T. Sinnige (TU Delft - Flight Performance and Propulsion)

Research Group
Wind Energy
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2026.111980
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Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
Wind Energy
Volume number
175
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Abstract

This work investigates the unsteady aerodynamic interaction that arises from the impingement of a propeller slipstream on a wing. To this end, an innovative measuring device for unsteady pressure is deployed, comprising a flexible printed circuit board sleeve embedded with MEMS pressure sensors and microphones. The device performance is validated against conventional measurement techniques. The wing is a benchmarked NACA 633018 airfoil-based model, and the propeller is the TUD-XPROP-S. In addition to pressure measurements, oil flow visualizations are performed to elucidate the flow pattern on the wing when the propeller operates at advance ratios of 0.8 and 1.8, and nominal blade pitch angles of 30° and 45°. The measurements reveal the formation of a laminar separation bubble on the portion of the wing not washed by the propeller slipstream. The flow is seen to remain attached on the advancing blade side, at least for the tested angles of attack. The microphone measurements capture the trace of the propeller’s tip vortices over the wing and the deformation of the slipstream over the wing. This work serves a dual purpose. Firstly, presenting an innovative measuring device for unsteady pressure, as the sensor-embedded sleeve requires minimal installation efforts and allows for a comprehensive measurement of the unsteady surface pressure field. Secondly, discussing the complex spatio temporal interaction that is formed from the impingement of a propeller slipstream onto a wing.