Single-blade propeller

Type of propeller

A single-blade propeller may be used on aircraft to generate thrust. Normally propellers are multi-blades but the simplicity of a single-blade propeller fits well on motorized gliders, because it permits the design of a smaller aperture of the glider fuselage for retraction of the power plant. The counterbalanced teetering mono-blade propeller generates fewer vibrations than conventional multi-blade configurations.^{[citation needed]} Often, single blade propeller configurations are touted as having a much greater efficiency than multi-blade propellers, but this is a falsehood outside the inertial losses in spinning a heavier propeller, and the minimal additional drag from added blades.^{[citation needed]} Single bladed propellers are principally used to fulfill engineering requirements that fall outside the scope of efficiency.

Patents

US Patent 2742095 Mechanism for balancing single blade aircraft rotor
US Patent 6619585 Helicopter single-blade rotor
US Patent 5971322 - Propeller propulsion unit for aircraft in general

Sources

https://web.archive.org/web/20070418051732/http://www.glidingmagazine.com/FeatureArticle.asp?id=368
https://web.archive.org/web/20070202111444/http://www.alisport.com/eu/images/img_news/Volaresett04/VOLARE_SETT04.htm

Aircraft piston engine components, systems and terminology

Piston engines

Mechanical components	Camshaft Connecting rod Crankpin Crankshaft Cylinder Cylinder head Gudgeon pin Hydraulic tappet Main bearing Obturator ring Oil pump Piston Piston ring Poppet valve Pushrod Rocker arm Sleeve valve Tappet
Electrical components	Alternator Capacitor discharge ignition Dual ignition Electronic fuel injection Generator Ignition system Magneto Spark plug Starter
Terminology	Air-cooled Aircraft engine starting Bore Compression ratio Dead centre Engine displacement Four-stroke engine Horsepower Ignition timing Manifold pressure Mean effective pressure Naturally aspirated Monosoupape Overhead camshaft Overhead valve engine Rotary engine Shock cooling Stroke Time between overhauls Two-stroke engine Valve timing Volumetric efficiency

Propellers

Components	Propeller governor Propeller speed reduction unit Spinner
Terminology	Autofeather Blade pitch Constant-speed Contra-rotating Counter-rotating Scimitar Single-blade Variable-pitch

Engine instruments

Engine controls

Fuel and induction
system

Other systems

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