Aeroacoustic Test Bench Characterization of the TUC-TUC Rotor in Hover Flight
Isaac S. Bensignor (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Lourenco Tercio Lima Pereira (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Daniele Ragni (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
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Abstract
The TU Delft Characterization model for roTor aeroacoUstiCs (TUC-TUC) is a modular rotor test bench developed for controlled aerodynamic and acoustic characterization under simplified and well-defined conditions. The platform permits systematic variation of blade pitch and airfoil type and is intended to support the study of rotor aeroacoustic behavior in a more interpretable manner than is typically possible with conventional rotor geometries. This paper presents the commissioning and initial hover characterization of TUC-TUC in the A-Tunnel facility at TU Delft using integral load measurements, acoustic directivity measurements, and particle image velocimetry of the flow field. The measurements are complemented by performance estimates from a blade element momentum theory model coupled with a harmonic source formulation. The results show that the measured aerodynamic response is captured well in trend and magnitude by the performance model, despite an apparent pitch-angle offset between predictions and experiments. The acoustic measurements are likewise found to be broadly consistent with the intended design criteria, including expected velocity scaling and clear source separation between the outer test section and inner structure. Taken together, the results establish TUC-TUC as a suitable basis for continued aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characterization and for future study of rotor-noise mechanisms under controlled conditions.