Aeroacoustic and Aerodynamic Characteristics of Propeller Tip Geometries

Liam Hanson, Kabilan Baskaran, Shaun F Pullin, Beckett Zhou, Bin Zang, Mahdi Azarpeyvand

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

16 Citations (Scopus)
858 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

A series of experiments were conducted in an aeroacoustic wind tunnel facility to investigate the aerodynamic performance and noise characteristics of propellers with various modifications to its tip geometry. A baseline propeller was designed for static hover conditions. The blade was adapted with the intention to reduce, divert or eliminate the blade tip vortex which is responsible for blade vortex interaction noise. All of the propellers were fabricated using advanced additive manufacturing techniques and tested experimentally in both static hover and forward flight modes of operation. The blade thrust and torque, as well as the radiated far-field noise were collected over a range of rotational speeds in static hover and forward flight conditions. Data was also collected at a thrust-matched condition for each tip modification permitting comparison of figure of merit at static hover. Particular attention was given to the 1st blade passing frequency tone and its directivity and magnitude. Various treatments show promise in changing the directivity and reducing the magnitude of this tone. Each of the categories of tip modification; anhedral, swept and tapered show potential in reducing the overall sound pressure levels as well as the blade passing frequency tone while providing the same thrust output as the unmodified blade. Numerical simulations using the SU2 solver were performed on selected tip modifications to provide further insights into the effects of changing the propeller tip geometry while in forward flight conditions. The numerical simulation results correlate well with the experimental data.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication28th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, 2022
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. (AIAA)
Number of pages21
ISBN (Electronic)9781624106644
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Jun 2022
Event28th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics 2022 Conference - United Kingdom, Southampton, United Kingdom
Duration: 14 Jun 202217 Jun 2022
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-3095

Publication series

NameAIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. (AIAA)
ISSN (Print)1946-7826

Conference

Conference28th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics 2022 Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CitySouthampton
Period14/06/2217/06/22
Internet address

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The first and third authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of Embraer S.A and the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council). The fourth author would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement number 882842 (SilentProp Project). The authors thank Nur Syafiqah Jamaluddin who designed and built the propeller test rig.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Propeller Noise
  • Aeroacoustics
  • Aerodynamics
  • Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Tip Vortex
  • Noise Attenuation
  • Propeller Design

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