Discrete Frequency Noise From Lifting Fans

Discrete frequency noise characteristics of a research lifting fan is investigated analytically. Based on steady aerodynamic data of the fan, unsteady aerodynamic forces acting on the rotor and stator blades were calculated using the results of previous investigators and an analysis which determines the effect of fluctuating velocity disturbance parallel to blade chord on the unsteady lift of cambered thin airfoils. The calculated unsteady forces were then used to determine the characteristics of discrete frequency noise emission from the fan. For the fan under consideration it is shown that the rotor interaction noise dominates the fan noise. Comparison between the predicted sound pressure levels and experimental observations shows good agreement. Based on the calculated detailed contributions of the different force harmonics acting on the blades to the fan noise, possible means of reducing lifting fan noise are discussed.