Cylinder plane

ujjawal

Junior Member
It is a known fact that a fast rotating cylinder when moved through air can produce lift.
So can we have a plane with a rotating cylinder instead of wings. It can also be expected to present somewhat different maneuverability due to low surface area.
 

bgfireguy92

Senior Member
Without the ailerons would I be correct in assuming that the bank is produced my a variation of differential thrust with the cylinders?
 
If I had to hazard a guess without Googling the answer, I'd say it's similar to the effect that makes a curve-ball curve. The relative airflow over one side vs. the other due to the rotation of the cylinder (or ball) as it moves through the air generates a pressure differential that can be used for lift.

Changing the rotation rate of one side relative to the other would provide different lift on one side, allowing you to bank into a turn. I'd think some additional control surfaces for banking would be preferable, however. Overcoming the angular momentum in the rotating cylinders to change their speeds quickly enough to be responsive would be quite a challenge. The model in the video appears to have a single axle to drive the cylinders, and uses rudder for turns.

Quite an interesting and unique concept.
 

PHugger

Church Meal Expert
Lot of kites use this design -
dieppe_rotor.jpg

styrofoam-kites-1.jpg


I even remember someone proposing a windmill generator like this -
magenn.jpg

How about this airplane design, the FanWing -
http://fanwing.com/uav.htm
Fanwing.jpg



Best regards,
PCH