Propellers

The forward propulsive force, or thrust, in

aeronautics is invariably obtained by
increasing the rearward momentum of a
quantity of gas.

Aircraft propulsion systems may be divided

into two classes:
1. those systems where the gas worked on is
wholly or principally atmospheric air.

2. other propulsive systems, in which the

gas does not contain atmospheric air in
any appreciable quantity.
Froudes momentum theory of propulsion
(This theory applies to propulsive systems
of Class I.)
The theory is based on the concept of the ideal actuator disc
or pure energy supplier.

This is an infinitely thin disc of area A which offers no

resistance to air passing through it.

Air passing through the disc receives energy in the form of

pressure energy from the disc, the energy being added
uniformly over the whole area of the disc.

It is assumed that the velocity of the air through the disc is

constant over the whole area and that all the energy supplied
to the disc is transferred to the air.
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