What about electronic pitch gauge?

[Igor Burger]

I think someone wanted to mearure pusher props and needed reversed pitch gauge ... but what about electronic pitch gauge? it works well both directions :- ))))

and it can also easily measure motor offset, stab incinece etc ... 

first pic: measuring pitch at station 6cm where the pitch is 135mm = 5.3"

second: level meter shows -5.1 deg from "calibrated" position ... means it can be calibrated to wing level and then it can show angle of motor regarding that calibrated position

it uses accelerometer for measuing, gravity for reference and Jeti Box for displaying 

[Keith Renecle]

Now that's a good idea.....Well done Igor! When can we get some??

Keith R

[Igor Burger]

if I convert it to usefull product, I will bring you one to Bulgaria :- ))))))

[Igor Burger]

hmmm ... I see I posted wrong second picture

so again that proper one ... it is that which belongs to text:
"level meter shows -5.1 deg from "calibrated" position ... means it can be calibrated to wing level and then it can show angle of motor regarding that calibrated position"

and the second picture shows how to measure motor offset :- ))))))))

[Dennis Adamisin]

That is a fabulous idea!

[Crist Rigotti]

Igor,
You're gonna get rich selling it!   

[Darkstar1]

Igor,
Do you write the software for that or does Jeti? Of course that's a really good idea.Especially useful for adjusting thrust lines in case theres some small goof up in building.

[Igor Burger]

Thanks guys, yes it is my software, Jeti Box is simply terminal with 2 lines and 4 buttons, nothing more, so I use it for alll my devices, and this is simply byproduct in the same hardware I use for active motor regulation, simply I needed exact pitch gauge and this was easier for me than making mechanic pitch gauge :- ))))

[Tania Uzunova]

Igor that  will work for all types of props? or it's calculated for tree blades? (i am sorry if question is stupid ) but i go wrong little bit because it's for something what you use, but no everytone at all?

Always support the inovations, especially that one which are not just stays like idea, but also can be use in the practice!

[Igor Burger]

number of blades does not play role, you must fix the prop somehow, then calibrate the root of prop (you must put sensor to root and push a button) and then you can see pitch on every station .. just put sensot to station, click button which station it is (step by 10mm) and it will show you pitch on display in mm and inches

it is instead of relatively large mechanical pitch gauge on picture

[Steve Hines]

could you do this with a digital incidence meter, it comes off and you can zero it and then put it on the blade. The only thing you would need to know is how to go from degree's to pitch. The other thing is Horzon has a pitch gage for heli. would this work.   Thanks Steve

[Howard Rush]

Very clever, Igor.  You beat me to it.

[Tania Uzunova]

Thank you Igor, after the picture now for me is much more clear : ))))  ( just miss some knowedge ) 

[BillLee]

Hello, Igor;

Yes, very interesting!

Looks to me like the calibration to a baseline and then holding the prop solidly to that baseline is extremely critical to the operation of the device.

I could imagine a version that: a device attached to the baseline that constantly measures its orientation to gravity, and then a second as you have already shown to measure the angle on the prop, software to compute and display the difference.

Using the current Prather-style gauge like the one in your picture (baseline calibration attached) and a mechanical device on the arm to hold the measuring probe to measure the chord line of the prop.....

Well, ...... 

Regards,

Bill Lee

[Igor Burger]

could you do this with a digital incidence meter, it comes off and you can zero it and then put it on the blade. The only thing you would need to know is how to go from degree's to pitch. The other thing is Horzon has a pitch gage for heli. would this work.   Thanks Steve

theoretically it is possible, but there are two problems:
1/ those devices are relatively large, while my sensor weights only 1 gram or so, so it is very easy to put on narrow, soft and flexible blade like APC props have
2/ yes I can make table of pitch relative to angle but it is not so neat, the beauty and reason why I decided to do it is, that in reality I not need to mess with tangents and angles, because accelerometer gives two vectors, and all I must do is simple division and it already gives tangens  ... so I need just to multiply it by radius, put to proper dimmension and I have pitch :- )))))) ... tangens is not trivial function for such small 8bit risc processor, but result was so small that I had anyway enough space in memory and I anyway did that function, so it can show slope so it allows to measure motor offset etc :- )))

[Igor Burger]

Looks to me like the calibration to a baseline and then holding the prop solidly to that baseline is extremely critical to the operation of the device.

I could imagine a version that: a device attached to the baseline that constantly measures its orientation to gravity, and then a second as you have already shown to measure the angle on the prop, software to compute and display the difference.

Yes I know what you mean, however I did not feel troubles yet. Such a 3 blade prop from picture seats well on desk without any fixature and when I measure 2 blade prop, I simply fix it to vice and all works easy :- ))))

I have actualy only one day experience, I will see, may be I will modify it later as I will see weak points. 

[Mike Anderson]

Since most will not have the Jeti box, is there another diplay that would work?

[Igor Burger]

Sorry, no, all my devices work with Jeti Box (timers, sequencers, active regulators etc), it is so universal, that I have no reason to use anything else. It is worth of that money :- )))) ... I cannot imagine to use electric without jeti box :-))) it is programmer for all Jeti devices, servo signal generator and monitor ... and it is usefull also as display for such devices

[Igor Burger]

I did few pictures how it works:

#1: prop (marked as 5.1") with marked stations 80, 100, 120 and 140 mm

#2: button down calibrates sensor

#3: sensor moved to station 80, display shows from left: station 80 , pitch 127mm and equivalent pitch 5.0"

[Igor Burger]

#4: 2x right click changes station on display to 100

#5: and then sensor moved to station 100 and display shows station 100, pitch 132mm/5.1"

#6,7: the same procedure and measuring at stations 120 and 140

it goes easy and quick even with photoshooting under hands  :- )))

[schuang]

#4: 2x right click changes station on display to 100

#5: and then sensor moved to station 100 and display shows station 100, pitch 132mm/5.1"

#6,7: the same procedure and measuring at stations 120 and 140

it goes easy and quick even with photoshooting under hands  :- )))

Igor,

This gives me an idea to use Ipod to do the same thing.  There is a program called "slope finder" which can measure down to 0.1 degree...

Regards,

Sean

[Howard Rush]

That's very cool.

[Mark Scarborough]

I like it a lot,, great I idea,,

incidentally, is that a Xoar wood three blade?

[Tania Uzunova]

Like designer i can do only drawins ;P ))) So that Pitch Gauge must be look something like that : )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[Igor Burger]

I think you missed forum, this is not about industrial design :-))))))))) ... I must thing how to incorporate something from my virtual body to look of my future electric model :- )))))))

you had to post it to that photo contest thread instead of that red baron, you could win something  :- )))))))))))))

btw this is not pitch gauge, this is automatic pitch gauger :-))))))))) ... you should teach him how to make perfect prop 

[Tom Niebuhr]

Igor.. Great idea!

Tania,
He would make a great pilot for Derek's Matrix.