Impact of Blade Sweep on Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Performance Optimization of Isolated Propellers
W. de Haan (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
T. Sinnige – Mentor (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
G. Eitelberg – Mentor (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
D. Ragni – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
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Abstract
Due to the rising demand for short-range air travel and the desire for aircraft driven by electric propulsion, there has been a renewed interest in propeller research. Despite the high potential aerodynamic efficiency of propellers, their excessive noise emissions prevent a widespread use on aircraft. A gradient based optimization study is performed to assess the trade-off between aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance of propellers. A blade-element-momentum theory(BEMT) approach with a dependence to the effects of blade sweep is used. The BEMT-model is combined with a frequency domain approach for tonal noise prediction. The optimization study shows that the advance ratio and pitch are important operational parameters during the climb phase to induce a noise reduction. The application of blade sweep proves useful as a design measure to reduce noise, given that the propeller operates in high speed conditions.