An evaluation of a simplified near field noise model for supersonic helical tip speed propellers

Existing propeller noise models are versatile and complex but require large computational times, therefore a simplified noise model that could be used to obtain quick noise estimates for these propellers was evaluated. This simplified noise model compared favorably with a complex model for a straight blade propeller and for swept propeller blades when the propeller sweep was properly considered. The simplified model can thus be used as an approximation to the complex model. Comparisons of either the complex or simplified noise models with the available noise data are not good for supersonic propeller helical tip speeds. By adjusting various constants in the simplified model, the noise estimates can be brought into the same range as the data at the propeller design point but the variation of the model with helical tip Mach number remains different than the data.