An arrow vane claim (fletchings as airfoils)

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter southshorerat
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the aerodynamic properties of arrow vanes, specifically their ability to generate lift and contribute to the arrow's spin during flight. Participants agree that the vane design can produce lift, which aids in rotational stability akin to gyroscopic effects. The conversation emphasizes that the diagonal mounting of vanes enhances efficiency by converting forward velocity into spin, resulting in reduced drag and improved flight distance. The claims regarding circular lift and gyroscopic precession are affirmed as valid within the context of arrow dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of aerodynamic principles, specifically lift generation.
  • Familiarity with gyroscopic effects and precession.
  • Knowledge of arrow design and fletching configurations.
  • Basic physics of rotational motion and drag reduction techniques.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of lift generation in airfoils and their application in archery.
  • Study the effects of gyroscopic precession on projectile stability.
  • Examine the impact of vane angle on arrow flight dynamics.
  • Explore advanced aerodynamic modeling techniques for optimizing arrow design.
USEFUL FOR

Archers, aerospace engineers, and enthusiasts interested in the physics of arrow flight and optimization of arrow performance through aerodynamic design.

southshorerat
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TL;DR
There is a manufacture in archery industry that claims the vane is an air foil design
He also claims the vane design creates lift which I accept

My problem is he also says the vane will cause the arrow to spin 200 time within 60ft of flight

How can something spinning efficiently use lift produced by the vane

He claims the arrow develops a gyro effect
 
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southshorerat said:
How can something spinning efficiently use lift produced by the vane
Without claiming any authority on the subject at all, I don't see why this is a problem - at least in principle.
It's not like an airplane's wings producing lift symmetrically and normal to the ground on both sides of its fuselage.

If the vanes of an arrow were to produce "lift", it would more accurately be called spin - they would all work in the same direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) around the axis, which would impart the rotational stability - like a gyro.

1614120140259.png
 
A wind turbine is driven to spin because all the blades develop lift, and are twisted in the same sense.
An arrow spins because the vanes are mounted slightly diagonally. It is more efficient to develop the rotational lift with an airfoil than with a flat plate. By more efficiently converting the forward velocity into spin, the arrow has less drag and so will travel slightly further and faster.
 
Screenshot_20210307-143227_Chrome.jpg
 
Disregard my last post it did not load correctly
 
Please refer to the portion of this PDF concerning arrowflight 101

Do the theories concerning circular lift and gyroscopic precession hold true
 
southshorerat said:
Please refer to the portion of this PDF concerning arrowflight 101

Do the theories concerning circular lift and gyroscopic precession hold true
Sorry, you want us to read a page from a PDF product ad that you posted, and tell you whether or not all or part of it is true?
 
No I provided information so you could understand my original questions and apply physics to two questions

1 Can a vane that has an airfoil design produce lift

2 Can an arrow spin fast enough to produce gyroscopic precession
 
  • #10
Yes and yes.
 

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