OpenProp: an open-source design tool for propellers and turbines

B P Epps, M J Stanway, R W Kimball

SNAME Propellers and Shafting Symposium

2009-09-15

Abstract

An open-sourced computational tool for the design and analysis of optimized propellers and turbines is presented. The design tool, called OpenProp, is based on well-proven vortex lattice lifting line methods utilized by the US Navy as well as commercial designers. This paper presents the methodology and numerical implementation of OpenProp, with multiple examples of designs, including actual parts fabricated from the code using 3D printing technology.