The V-Prop is an automatic self-powering electronic
variable-pitch propeller developed by Silence Aircraft, the manufacturers of the
Silence Twister single-seat elliptical-winged kitplane.
Design and development
The V-Prop was fitted to the prototype Twister and to some of the Twisters built in the
EU. Designed by brothers Thomas and Mattheus Strieker, this
microprocessor
A microprocessor is a computer processor where the data processing logic and control is included on a single integrated circuit, or a small number of integrated circuits. The microprocessor contains the arithmetic, logic, and control circ ...
-controlled automatic propeller has a vaned spinner ahead of the main spinner. The main spinner is fixed to the output shaft in the normal fashion; but the vaned spinner is free to
contra-rotate, and in doing so both generates its own power and derives
rpm
Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, rev/min, r/min, or with the notation min−1) is a unit of rotational speed or rotational frequency for rotating machines.
Standards
ISO 80000-3:2019 defines a unit of rotation as the dimensionl ...
data that it uses to determine the ideal blade angle. The unit then automatically adjusts the blades between the coarse and fine positions. On the ground, the electronic control system can be tailored to suit each aircraft by varying some soldered connections, which give some 16 options.
[Silence Aircraft, (2005) ''Manual for the Silent R 1,61m V 3 and V2, Automatic-variable-pitch propeller'']
The V-Prop has both 2-bladed and 3-bladed versions, but only for clockwise rotation (as seen from the cockpit). The advantage of the V-Prop is that it is very light and compact, it requires no exterior power source, is
fail-safe
In engineering, a fail-safe is a design feature or practice that in the event of a specific type of failure, inherently responds in a way that will cause minimal or no harm to other equipment, to the environment or to people. Unlike inherent safe ...
, and being completely automatic, requires no pilot input.
The V-Prop has been successfully fitted to many light aircraft in Europe, including Denmark, but despite the
EU's principle of
free movement of goods, the
LAA would not approve it for UK
kit aircraft
Homebuilt aircraft, also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch", from plans, or from assembly kits.Armstrong, Kenn ...
without further extensive testing.
LAA List of Propellers Approved for Kit Aircraft
/ref>
In May 2013, Mattheus Strieker confirmed that the V-Prop went out of production some two years earlier. The design rights were sold to Hoffmann Propeller, an established propeller manufacturer in Germany. Hoffman Propeller plans to develop the V-Prop for fitment to certified aircraft as well as to kit planes. Stefan Bichlmeyr from Technical Engineering at Hoffmann Propeller has said that the firm is working with Thomas Strieker to redesign the VProp system for bigger engines.Lycoming O-360
The Lycoming O-360 is a family of four-cylinder, direct-drive, horizontally opposed, air-cooled, piston aircraft engines. Engines in the O-360 series produce between 145 and 225 horsepower (109 to 168 kW), with the basic O-360 producing ...
.
Technical data
Source: Silence VProp manual
See also
* List of aircraft propeller manufacturers
References
{{Reflist
Propellers