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Actuator Disk Hover

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Estimate induced velocity, ideal hover power, and disk loading from momentum theory.

0-1

Hover power

1,096.81 W

790 W ideal / FM 0.72

Induced velocity

6.58 m/s

through the actuator disk

Disk loading

106.10 N/m2

1.13 m2 rotor disk area

Hover streamtube

Momentum theory treats the rotor as an actuator disk that accelerates a column of air downward to support thrust.

1.10 kW shaft

thrust 120 Nactuator diskarea 1.13 m2vi 6.58 m/swake about 13.16 m/slarger disk area lowers disk loading, induced velocity, and ideal hover power

Momentum result

vi = sqrt(T / 2 rho A)

Disk loading

106.1 N/m2

radius 0.60 m

Power split

0.79 kW ideal

72% figure of merit, 28% losses

Power loading

0.109 N/W

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