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Virginia Tech

Rotor Inflow Noise Caused by a Boundary Layer: Inflow Measurements and Noise Predictions

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A rotor immersed in a thick turbulent boundary layer produces unsteady loading on the blades which generates unwanted noise and vibration. Two point velocity fluctuations were measured in detail to determine the full four-dimensional correlation function of a boundary layer generated over a smooth wall in the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel. The correlation function reveals anisotropy in the flow dominated by a large scale correlation structure elongated in the streamwise direction and inclined relative to the wall. This correlation function was then evaluated in the blade frame of reference of an idealized 10 bladed rotor partially immersed in the flow. Blade to blade upwash coherence shows significant asymmetry which is a direct result of the anisotropy of the flow. Using a newly developed theory, the correlation function was used to predict the far-field radiated noise from the rotor at various operating and flow conditions. Predictions show the sound field is dominated by the effects of "haystacking" which is further increased with the inclusion of the presence of the wall. Directivity predictions suggest the far-field sound field acts like a monopole/dipole combination.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2012

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Morton, Michael Andrew
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Devenport, William J.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Lowe, K. Todd
  • Glegg, Stewart A. L.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-08102012-103032
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34467

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Morton, Michael Andrew. Rotor Inflow Noise Caused by a Boundary Layer: Inflow Measurements and Noise Predictions. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/34467