High speed helicopter noise sources

Abstract

The state-of-the art of helicopter rotor impulsive noise is reviewed. A triangulation technique for locating impulsive noise sources is developed using once-per-rev index signals as time references. A computer program (INSL) was written implementing this technique. Applying triangulation to the full-scale UH-1 noise data of NASA/Ames Research Center 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel, three different noise sources are found on the rotor disk. The primary sources of thickness noise are in the second quadrant and on the advancing side of rotor disk. Two aerodynamic sources due to blade/vortex interaction are found in the first quadrant.