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Aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of closely coupled rotors

Lead Research Organisation: University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Engineering

Abstract

This proposal brings together specialists in aeroacoustics, aerodynamics and flight vehicle design to address directly this major gap in understanding aimed at enabling the design and development of efficient and quiet future multi-rotor propulsion systems. This proposal describes detailed flow and noise measurements in state-of-the-art facilities to gain a fundamental understanding into the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of overlapping propeller systems. High fidelity flow and noise data will be used to establish new design principles and semi-analytical predictive models for high-efficiency low-noise multi-rotor configurations. In the final phase of the project the results from the project will be exploited to develop a full-scale low-noise multi-rotor demonstrator.
 
Description One of the key findings is the vortex wandering of the tip vortex interacting with downstream rotor. This has been shown an increased in tonal haystacking due to wandering.
This year one of the key finding is that we identified the limitation of current analytical modelling depends on the gust ratio. The current response functions are valid for small gust rations but in the cases where the overlapping rotors or flow-propeller interactions the effective angle of attack is very high.
Exploitation Route Few companies having contra-rotating drones or air taxi are looking into the outcomes.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine
 
Description One of the impact on the project is working closely with Sora aviation. We identified the role of tip vortex interaction in propeller alone noise ... this will help the company to design quiet blades to reduce this interaction noise. In addition, a new proposal is being planned based on these results.
 
Title Dataset supporting the publication "Effects of integral length scale variations on the stall characteristics of a wing at high freestream turbulence conditions" 
Description This dataset is supporting the publication "Effects of integral length scale variations on the stall characteristics of a wing at high freestream turbulence conditions". To be published in Journal of Fluid Mechanics This dataset includes all the relevant data for the figures found within the paper in txt format. For enquiries please contact Craig Thompson: ct4g16@soton.ac.uk 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/482275
 
Description Invited talk to experts in Aeroacoustics 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The Symposium has been orchestrated with a lofty goal in mind: to ignite fresh ideas for future research in aeroacoustics. Over the past decade, we've observed a significant transformation in this scientific domain, partly propelled by the gradual adoption of new simulation techniques within the industry. Nevertheless, we firmly believe that while some applications have matured and lost appeal within academia, others are surfacing, bringing forth new theoretical, experimental, and numerical hurdles. Thus, the organizers have identified expertise capable of discerning these challenges and injecting vitality into the field of aeroacoustics.

I extend an invitation to present my work on propeller noise alongside approximately thirty experts, with whom we aim to achieve our objectives. Each invited participant will be accompanied by their mentor, delivering a lecture focused on specific emerging challenges. Ample time will be allocated for discussions regarding future research directions. Ultimately, the proceedings will be compiled and published as a special issue in an archival journal.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023