Investigating the Effect of Propeller Blade Count on the Lift-to-Power Efficiency of an Unducted Quadcopter Motor System

This investigation explores how the number of propeller blades (2 to 6) affects the lift-to-power ratio of an unducted quadcopter motor system. The researcher employed a primary experimental setup using a digital scale to measure apparent mass for lift and a multimeter to determine electrical power consumption, while controlling for motor voltage and angular velocity.

Findings reveal that while both lift and power increase linearly with blade count, power consumption rises more rapidly, resulting in a peak efficiency at the 3-blade configuration. The paper is distinguished by its rigorous application of Blade Element Theory, detailed uncertainty propagation using the root-sum-square method, and a critical evaluation of aerodynamic interference and systematic errors.