Electric power for lift and torque

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the electric power requirements for lifting a one-tonne dead-weight using a propeller activated by an electric motor, as well as the implications of using an electric field to generate a magnetic field for the same purpose. The scope includes theoretical considerations of power, aerodynamics, and potential applications in lifting mechanisms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Participants inquire about the context of the propeller's operation, specifically whether it is in air or water.
  • One participant suggests the concept resembles an electric helicopter, while another questions the necessity of a helicopter design compared to a conventional crane vehicle.
  • One participant claims that the electric power required for flight could be zero, arguing that no work is done when an object is at rest, using examples like a magnet over a superconductor and a neutrally buoyant helium balloon.
  • Another participant counters that aerodynamic lift requires energy due to the need to accelerate air mass, emphasizing that larger wings or propellers could reduce energy consumption.
  • There is a discussion about the potential for contacting participants for further questions on aerodynamics and related topics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the power requirements for lifting the weight, with some suggesting that no power is needed when stationary, while others argue that energy is necessary for aerodynamic lift. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference concepts such as disk loading, aerodynamic efficiency, and the relationship between propeller size and power requirements, but these ideas are not fully explored or agreed upon.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring electric propulsion systems, aerodynamics, and the physics of lifting mechanisms.

elmarsur
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One tonne dead-weight is to be lifted in the air and moved horizontally by means of a propeller activated by electric motor.
Questions:
(1) What is the electric power (components U, I) sufficient and necessary for the task?
(2) If, instead of (1), the generated electric field is used to generate a magnetic field, what will be the latter's B and H?
Is this magnetic field sufficient to lift the dead-weight?


Thank you in advance.
 
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elmarsur said:
One tonne dead-weight is to be lifted in the air and moved horizontally by means of a propeller activated by electric motor.
Questions:
(1) What is the electric power (components U, I) sufficient and necessary for the task?
(2) If, instead of (1), the generated electric field is used to generate a magnetic field, what will be the latter's B and H?
Is this magnetic field sufficient to lift the dead-weight?


Thank you in advance.

Propeller? What is the context of your question? What is this propeller acting in? Air? Water?
 
In the air.
 
elmarsur said:
In the air.

You mean like an electric helicopter? Yikes!
 
haha,
Yes. I am building a generator and I would like to clear these notions. I would greatly appreciate your help with this.
 
elmarsur said:
haha,
Yes. I am building a generator and I would like to clear these notions. I would greatly appreciate your help with this.

Why does it need to be a helicopter? Why not just a conventional crane vehicle?
 
Electric power required would be zero. There is no minimum amount of power required for flight. Consider an object resting on a table, for example. No power is consumed.

What you can do is estimate the power given a certain disk loading. So if you said that you want to have a prop 10m in diameter, then one can say roughly how much power would be required. Bigger prop means less power. Of course, at some point, the weight you add by making the prop larger starts to dominate, and at that point, you no longer win anything from bigger prop.
 
berkeman:
The total project is larger than this aspect, and a crane would not do.K^2:
Would you care to enlighten me, please? No power?
 
Last edited:
Of course. If an object isn't moving, no work is being done. Fundamental power requirement is zero. A magnet levitating over a superconductor consumes no power. And if you think about it, the object resting on a table is really suspended by electrostatic interaction between the table and the object. Again, no power is consumed.

Want something closer to conventional flight? Consider a helium balloon. It can be weighed to be neutrally buoyant, in which case it is suspended with no energy source required.

Aerodynamic lift wastes power because you have to accelerate air mass. You are moving something while applying force to it, and therefore, you are doing work. That means energy consumption. But the more air you can grab, the less you need to move it, and the less energy it takes. Ever wondered why sail planes have such long wings? If you can make very, very large wings or propeller that weigh nothing, you can be wasting almost no power to keep an arbitrary weight afloat. The question is, how big can you make your lifting surface without it becoming the most massive part of your contraption.
 
  • #10
Thank you very much, K^2.

If you do specialize in aerodynamics, would it be all right to contact you through your email or only here?
 
  • #11
Um. I know a little bit of aerodynamics. I'm by no means an expert, but you probably don't need anything terribly complex.

I think, the PM system on this forum should be adequate, but I can PM you my e-mail address if you think it's necessary.
 
  • #12
It will involve some questions on levitation and angular velocities.
Is it of interest?
 

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