Prop Shields

[trec-r]

I was asked this question on another forum and wanted to get your guys input before replying. "is there any technical reason why the electric rotors can't be shrouded to minimize rotor tip injuries?"

Likewise a follow up question is should it be standard or required by law? Thanks for your input.

Richie

 

[matwelli]

few downsides

1 - shrouding limits the YAW effect from the prop, making YAW control inefective - so to counteract that you need to mount each motor at an angle, reducing efficiency, flight times, payload capacity

2 -shrouding adds weight

3 - shrouding increases "windage" the multirotor will be affected quite strongly by wind gusts on the profile of the shroud

4 - efficiency reduces due to prop tip to shroud distance , this can be overcome with props designed to work in ducts , increasing the cost of props


to minimise the impact of shrouding, it would need to be super thin, and far away from the props

there was a tricopter on youtube using carbon to create a complete sphere around the machine of thin carbon rods, this may be the way to do it