Numerical Predictions of Propeller-Wing Interaction Induced Noise in Cruise and Off-Design Conditions

Using numerical methods, the aeroacoustic field induced by the interaction of a 4-bladed NASA SR-2 propeller and its wake with a wing is investigated under cruise conditions (Mach 0.6). The SmartRotor code, a coupled vortex particle and panel method, which is integrated with an acoustic solver based on the Farassat 1A formulation of the Ffowcs-Williams Hawkings equation, was used. Three main areas were investigated: the effect of propeller tip geometry on the propeller’s wake and blade tip vortex; the effect of integrating a wing in the tractor configuration, including the effect of its position, and wing local leading edge sweep; and the effect of operating the combined wing/propeller system in off-design conditions such as low forward speed or in non-axial inflow.