Momentum theory

In fluid dynamics, the momentum theory or disk actuator theory is a theory describing a mathematical model of an ideal actuator disk, such as a propeller or helicopter rotor, by W.J.M. Rankine (1865), Alfred George Greenhill (1888) and Robert Edmund Froude (1889).

An actuator disk accelerating a fluid flow from right to left

The rotor is modeled as an infinitely thin disc, inducing a constant velocity along the axis of rotation. The basic state of a helicopter is hovering. This disc creates a flow around the rotor. Under certain mathematical premises of the fluid, there can be extracted a mathematical connection between power, radius of the rotor, torque and induced velocity. Friction is not included.

For a stationary rotor, such as a helicopter in hover, the power required to produce a given thrust is:

${\displaystyle P={\sqrt {\frac {T^{3}}{2\rho A}}}}$

Where:

• T is the thrust
• ${\displaystyle \rho }$ is the density of air (or other medium)
• A is the area of the rotor disc
• P is power

A device which converts the translational energy of the fluid into rotational energy of the axis or vice versa is called a Rankine disk actuator. The real life implementations of such devices are e.g. marine and aviation propellers, windmills, helicopter rotors, centrifugal pumps, wind turbines, turbochargers and chemical agitators.