Aeroacoustic behavior of edgewise propeller under upstream wing wake

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of an upstream wing on the far-field aeroacoustic characteristics and aerodynamic performance of a propeller in edgewise inflow conditions. Experiments were conducted using a two-bladed APC 7″ × 4″ propeller operating at rotational speeds of 9500 and 12,500 rpm, with an upstream wing placed at varying angles of attack. Far-field acoustic measurements and propeller thrust and torque data were acquired. The presence of the wing led to a reduction in thrust and torque coefficients relative to the no-wing case. Tonal noise at the fundamental blade passage frequency (BPF) was significantly suppressed in the presence of the wing. In contrast, high-frequency broadband noise levels increased due to wake-induced inflow disturbances, with a clear dependence on the angle of attack of the wing. Time-frequency analysis further revealed amplitude modulation and intermittency in the BPF tonal peak, as well as increased broadband noise levels due to turbulence ingestion from the wing wake.