Generalized Reduced-Order Model for Propeller Inflow Distortion Noise

To provide a reduced-order computational tool for prediction of propeller-airframe interaction noise, the team of Techsburg and AVEC proposes to enhance and unify existing methods and tools for predicting inflow distortion noise currently in use by the team for design of low-noise propulsion systems. This streamlined and user-friendly inflow noise modeling tool will be called the Installed Propeller Noise Model (IPNM). The Techsburg/AVEC team will leverage their prior experience and existing codes and knowledge base from design, modeling, and testing of pusher propellers in the Virginia Tech Anechoic Wind Tunnel over the last three years during the base Phase I software development work. During the Phase I Option, the team proposes to carry out a set of validation wind tunnel experiments during the Phase I Option portion of the work. Prior work on propeller systems for fixed-wing pusher propeller aircraft will also be used to better understand technical challenges for design of propeller systems for compound helicopter applications.