An acoustical based approach to conceptual design of non-traditional rotorcraft configurations

Abstract

As interstate and highway traffic increases, commute times become drastically large. Such large commute times create fatigue and take away from productive hours at work, or joyful hours at home. The idea of urban air mobility becomes increasingly more attractive and viable as technology improves. These more advanced rotor concepts have opened up the design space in order to satisfy a very different mission profile. Nontraditional rotor concepts can provide performance benefits within a new use of the design. Noise becomes an increasing concern since the mission profile allows these vehicles flying much closer to communities. This research investigates three configurations of rotorcraft: coaxial rotors, ducted rotors, and ducted coaxial rotors, to provide insight on how design configuration changes the acoustics of these vehicles. The methodology developed is a parametric environment to provide detail on influential parameters for a model to be created for use within the conceptual design stage. This provides designers a process for capturing acoustic changes early on in the design process, while these new vehicles are still being developed.