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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Three-Bladed Propeller Design for the Reduction of General Aviation Radiated Noise Characteristics

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The purpose of this study was to design a quiet 3-Bladed propeller for general aviation aircraft. A combination of design technique and analytical predictions using the NASA Aircraft Noise Prediction Program - Propeller Analysis System (ANOPP-PAS) was used to achieve this goal. The propellers were designed for an engine power of 200 hp, a rotational speed of 2,400 RPM and a free-stream speed of 160 kts. A straight 76 in. diameter 2-bladed propeller was designed as a reference for the 64 in. diameter 3-bladed propeller. The ANOPP-PAS computer code was used for predicting the aerodynamic performance and radiated noise characteristics for both the 2-bladed and 3-bladed propeller designs. Through blade design modifications and the use of conventional, as well as specifically designed natural-laminar-flow (NLF) airfoils, 3-bladed propeller designs resulted in predicted noise reductions of 3.4 dB in the near-field which corresponds to 5.1 dBA; and a 3.4 dB (7.0 dBA) in the far-field when compared to the 2-bladed propeller. These 3-bladed designs resulted in no appreciable change in aerodynamic performance but an estimated 43% weight increase.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - Open Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Year
1998

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Finn, Ronald W.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Howard V. L. Patrick
  • Charles N. Eastlake
  • Yechiel J. Crispin

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/60
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.erau.edu:db-theses-1079

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Base URL
commons.erau.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Finn, Ronald W.. Three-Bladed Propeller Design for the Reduction of General Aviation Radiated Noise Characteristics. Thesis - Open Access thesis, 1998. https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/60