Aeroacoustics investigation of Drone/UAV installation noise

The global interest in small multi-rotor drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and remotely piloted
aircraft systems (RPAS) is growing rapidly. It is now widely accepted that noise is one of the main
factors that could limit the public acceptance and adoption of drones. Drones are currently designed
for performance, with relatively little consideration given to noise.
This 3.5 year PhD studentship aimed at an experimental and analytical investigation into the effect
on single-propeller noise due to its installation. It is well known that the noise due to propellers
operating in the vicinity of solid objects, such as wings, booms and other propellers, can be
significantly modified and amplified. The tones and broadband noise are known to be highly sensitive
to the degree of in-flow distortion caused by these objects.
In this project, extensive noise and aerodynamic measurements will be performed using the thrust
and torque load cells integrated into the propeller main body. A systematic parametric study will be
performed aimed at assessing the sensitivity on both tonal and broadband noise to the nearby
structures such as the boom or an aerofoil. Extensive pressure measurements will be made on the
surface of the boom to quantify the relative contribution of noise due to the obstacle and that from
the propeller. Current analytical models will be extended to capture these installation effects.