Abstract:
Drones have become increasingly prevalent, from capturing stunning aerial photos to aiding in search and rescue missions. However, the noise they generate can be a nuisance and even a safety concern. Researchers have been working to address this issue, and one promising solution is the use of ducted rotors. The noise radiation from two closely coupled propellers has a large number of distinct interacting sources in addition to rotor alone noise in isolation. There is therefore an urgent need to develop prediction tools and develop low-noise concepts for ducted contra-rotating propellers.
Project description:
Drones have become increasingly prevalent, from capturing stunning aerial photos to aiding in search and rescue missions. Experts are currently predicting that the size of this sector is expected to quadruple by 2025. It has been estimated that the cost savings from drone technologies to the UK economy will be about £16 billion by 2030. However, the noise they generate can be a nuisance. Researchers have been working to address this issue, and one promising solution is the use of ducted rotors.
Ducted drones offer increased safety with enclosed rotors, making them suitable for operations in confined spaces and around people, while their improved aerodynamics enhance stability and reduce noise, making them ideal for applications like surveillance and urban environments. Contra-rotating (two rotors rotating in opposite direction) ducted drones especially can achieve higher thrust-to-weight ratios, allowing for better lifting capabilities and payload capacities in various applications. However, the noise generated by these rotor systems is generally significantly higher than single rotor systems due to the mutual interactions that take place both between adjacent blade rows and between the rotors and the duct. Noise is therefore one of the main factors that limit their public acceptability.
This project describes detailed flow and noise measurements in state-of-the-art facilities to gain a fundamental understanding into the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics mechanism of contra-rotating ducted propeller systems. Our project objectives are:
1) To investigate and characterise the various noise-generating mechanisms of ducted contra-rotating propeller systems.
2) To analytically predict the dominant noise source and validate against measured data.
The intern will be using a state-of-the-art drone rig recently built at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton. The intern will be able to work with other motivated PhD researchers and will work as part of our research team. One of the key goals of the project is to give the intern the experience of performing research and show them how to ask fundamental research questions to solve complex engineering problems. The project is divided into specific tasks:
- Understanding noise sources in contra-rotating propellers.
- Understanding the role of ducts in propeller systems.
- Becoming acquainted with drone operation and measurement systems.
- Evaluating acoustic and aerodynamic performance.
- Utilizing prediction models and validation.
- Reporting findings.
The successful completion of this project has the potential to pave the way for advancements in ducted drone technology. The outcomes of this research can be disseminated through publication in conference proceedings scheduled for 2025 in the US.
Preferred intern working pattern: The internship for this project follows a specific working pattern due to its experimental nature. Experiments occur in two distinct phases during Week 4-5 and Week 9-10 of the 12-week internship. During these experimental phases, the intern is required to be physically present in Southampton for a total of four weeks (including a week for planning and setup) as our research facilities, such as the ducted rotating rig and anechoic chambers, are crucial for this phase. The timing of these testing periods can be adjusted to align with the intern's preparedness.
Following the data collection from experiments, the intern will have the flexibility to work remotely for data processing. During this phase, a minimum of 20 hours per week is expected to make steady progress. The start date of the internship is also adaptable to accommodate the intern's schedule, promoting a wider range of applications from eligible students. This flexibility in working patterns aims to ensure that the internship is accessible and accommodates a diverse pool of candidates.
Can the internship be carried out from home (remotely): No
Will remote working equipment be provided: No