Journal of Aeronautical Engineering

Journal of Aeronautical Engineering

Aeroacoustic Simulation of a Propeller equipped with Surface Elements

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Aerospace Engineering, Shahid Sattari Aeronautical University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 phd student, department of mechanical engineering, ferdowsi university mashhad
10.22034/joae.2025.526865.1284
Abstract
This research numerically investigated the effect of installing finlets on a T-Motor 18x6.1 propeller in hovering flight conditions and at low Reynolds numbers, focusing on aerodynamic and aerodynamic noise characteristics. To achieve this, the unsteady incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations were solved using the k-ω SST turbulence model and the multiple reference frame model. Furthermore, the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings method was employed for far-field noise prediction. The results indicate that finlet installation led to a 4.8% reduction in thrust and a 4.6% increase in propeller moment, signifying an approximate 5% decrease in propeller aerodynamic performance. However, the finlets effectively reduced the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the propeller, consequently decreasing the tonal loading noise. Additionally, finlet installation resulted in reduced pressure fluctuations in the space between the finlets and a significant reduction in turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) in the propeller wake. The finlets also contributed to a reduction in propeller broadband noise at frequencies above 1000 Hz. The largest tonal noise of the propeller occurred at 100 Hz and its harmonics (corresponding to the blade pass frequency), and remarkably, finlet installation reduced this noise across most polar angles, particularly at 165 degrees.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 28 October 2025

  • Receive Date 28 May 2025
  • Revise Date 10 July 2025
  • Accept Date 12 July 2025