Thrust required for a Car driven by a propeller

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    Car Propeller Thrust
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the thrust required for a 6000 lb car propelled by a propeller to achieve speeds of 30 MPH, 60 MPH, and 100 MPH. Key calculations involve understanding the relationship between power output (270 kW) and thrust, with drag forces at 60 MPH estimated at 500 N and at 100 MPH at approximately 1000 N. The conversation highlights the importance of using the mechanical power equation, W=Fd, to derive thrust from power and velocity, and emphasizes that thrust must overcome both drag and acceleration forces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mechanical power equations, specifically W=Fd
  • Knowledge of drag force calculations at varying speeds
  • Familiarity with basic physics concepts such as force, mass, and acceleration
  • Experience with vehicle dynamics and propulsion systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "Mechanical Power Equation" to deepen understanding of W=Fd
  • Explore "Drag Force Calculations" for vehicles at different speeds
  • Learn about "Coastdown Testing" methods for measuring vehicle thrust
  • Investigate "Vehicle Dynamics" to understand the relationship between power, thrust, and speed
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Automotive engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in vehicle propulsion mechanics and performance optimization.

KuriousKid
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Out of curiosity, If suppose a car is driven/propelled by Propeller, how much thrust would be required to get it rolling or moving, then drive at 30 MPH, at 60 MPH and at 100 MPH? Consider the car weighs 6000 lb including passengers. If same car is inclined at 30 degrees, how much thrust is required to move it forward.
What could be the formula to formulate this relationship of thrust and speed etc? Assume all standard road conditions.
 
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KuriousKid said:
... how much thrust would be required to get it rolling or moving, then drive at 30 MPH, at 60 MPH and at 100 MPH? Consider the car weighs 6000 lb including passengers. If same car is inclined at 30 degrees, how much thrust is required to move it forward.
What forces are opposing the thrust and have to be balanced to move at constant speed?
 
On plane level road, friction force [negligible], at higher speed drag and turbulence. At about 60 mph, drag force is about 500 N. If at 100 mph it goes about 1000 N or so. But what I see is Tesla having Motor of a 362 hp (270 kW) and 325 ft⋅lb (440 N⋅m) motor. How does it go beyond 100 mph, if output is 440 N.m? I'm missing something, which I don't know. Something basic.
 
KuriousKid said:
If at 100 mph it goes about 1000 N or so. But what I see is Tesla having Motor of a 362 hp (270 kW)...
Is that not enough?

KuriousKid said:
I'm missing something, which I don't know.
How can we know, if you don't post your math?
 
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The Maths is what I'm lacking... That's why I posted here.
 
KuriousKid said:
But what I see is Tesla having Motor of a 362 hp (270 kW) and 325 ft⋅lb (440 N⋅m) motor. How does it go beyond 100 mph, if output is 440 N.m? I'm missing something, which I don't know. Something basic.
That 440 Nm number is the motor's torque, which has very little to do with the question you're asking. You want to focus on the power output - 270 kW, meaning that the motor will produce 270000 joules of energy per second (one watt is one joule per second).

This may not be helpful to you, though, unless you understand the relationship between force in Newtons, energy in joules, and the distance the car moves in a given amount of time. For that, you'll need the equation ##W=Fd## (W is the energy, F is the force, d is the distance). Google for "W=Fd examples" to get started.
 
Hello, Thank you for explanation. Is there a way to calculate the maximum thrust produced by 270 Kw machine? What I mean is, the force being applied in between tires and ground to move the car?
 
KuriousKid said:
Hello, Thank you for explanation. Is there a way to calculate the maximum thrust produced by 270 Kw machine? What I mean is, the force being applied in between tires and ground to move the car?
Take the mechanical power equation from wiki, and solve for force.
 
  • #10
KuriousKid said:
Hello, Thank you for explanation. Is there a way to calculate the maximum thrust produced by 270 Kw machine? What I mean is, the force being applied in between tires and ground to move the car?
It depends on the gearing. In principle there's no upper limit - halve the diameter of the wheel and you double the maximum possible force at the tire-wheel interface (and halve the speed the car is moving at, for a given power output).

Have you tried googling for ##W=Fd## yet? What did you find?
 
  • #11
KuriousKid said:
Hello, Thank you for explanation. Is there a way to calculate the maximum thrust produced by 270 Kw machine? What I mean is, the force being applied in between tires and ground to move the car?
Previous posts have shown you how to calculate the force at any given velocity.

Force = power/velocity
 
  • #12
  • #13
KuriousKid said:
Out of curiosity,..., how much thrust would be required to get it rolling or moving, then drive at 30 MPH, at 60 MPH and at 100 MPH?

You can measure the thrust required to hold a constant speed by a coastdown test. Here's an example of one: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/coastdown-test-06-gmc-canyon-20405.html. It works for any road vehicle.

The thrust required to accelerate is simply the thrust required at a speed added to the force of acceleration: F = ma.
 
  • #14
...these are late, but...

You can also calculate the thrust required from the fuel economy at any speed, and an assumption about engine efficiency. For example, if I remember a previous calculation I did (I think 25% efficiency), 60mph and 30mpg = about 17hp, or 12.7kW or 5,600N.
 

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