Define Induced Flow.

Define Induced Flow.

• A. The component of air flowing vertically through the rotor system
• B. The component of air flowing horizontally through the rotor system
• C. Flow around the blade tips
• D. The component of air flowing diagonally through the rotor system

Answer: (A)

Induced flow is the vertical component of air velocity through the rotor disk caused by the rotor producing lift. As the blades accelerate air downward to generate thrust, air is drawn from above and pushed through the rotor plane, creating a downward flow known as downwash. This downward, through-the-disk flow is the essence of induced flow, distinguishing it from horizontal inflow in forward flight or from flow around the blade tips. Therefore, the description that matches this concept is the air flowing vertically through the rotor system.

Induced flow is the vertical component of air velocity through the rotor disk caused by the rotor producing lift. As the blades accelerate air downward to generate thrust, air is drawn from above and pushed through the rotor plane, creating a downward flow known as downwash. This downward, through-the-disk flow is the essence of induced flow, distinguishing it from horizontal inflow in forward flight or from flow around the blade tips. Therefore, the description that matches this concept is the air flowing vertically through the rotor system.