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Estimating UAV Drone Propeller Thrust Equations and Calculator

Applications & Design

Estimating UAV Drone Propeller Thrust Equations and Calculator

The following equations were derived from internet sources and experience. The defaults used within the calculator calculates results that are similar to the actual performance of the quad copter considered therefore use with the understanding that results are estimates.

Actual motor and propeller thurst and performance data is best obtained with fucntional testing methods.

Kv Rating on Brushless Motors, Kv is the Constant voltage rating of the Brushless Motor.

Theoretical Kv to rpm equation
Eq. 1
rpm = Kv · V

where:

Kv = rating of motor
V = volts applied

Power produced by motor

P = k · R_p³ · D⁴ · P_t

Where

k = Average propeller ( 5.3 · 10^-15 )
R_p = revolution per minute
D = propeller diameter
P_t = Propeller pitch

Ampere rating of battery

Amp rating = Amp hours· Discharge rate

Maximum Motor Wattage

Max Wattage = Volts · Amp Hours

Motor propeller combination Lift force (thrust)

T = [ π / 2 · D² · ρ · P² ]^0.5

Where

D = propeller diameter
ρ = air density (1.18 kg/m³ at ~ 25° C),
P = power

Reference:

Misc. internet sources and experience
DeltaLima Poster on Stackexchange

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