Experimental Investigation of Rotor-Rotor Interaction Noise through Tip Vortex Characterization in Hover

Abstract:
This study highlights that rotor-rotor interactions can significantly modify both tonal and broadband noise characteristics. Continued investigation into these mechanisms is vital to developing reliable noise prediction methodologies and establishing design strategies that balance propulsion efficiency with acoustic acceptability for AAM vehicles. This work sought to answer what physical mechanisms contribute to the increased dominance of broadband noise in eVTOL-scale rotors. By characterizing the tip vortex of a single rotor, it was found that rotor-rotor interaction is highly dependent on two factors: Blade-vortex phasing and interaction duration. Characteristic vortex time scales can be correlated with increased noise. Interactions that generate increased noise have a non-linear relationship with rotor positioning. The interaction-generated noise is highly directive. This work aims to elucidate the dominant source noise mechanisms of rotor-rotor interaction noise by characterizing blade tip vortices using PIV.

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