| One of the greatest obstacles to public acceptance of rotorcraft is the high levels of noise they produce, particularly in low-speed descent. In this flight condition, the trailing edge vortex of one blade often passes in close proximity to other blades resulting in impulsive changes in lift. This Blade-Vortex Interaction (BVI) creates high levels of both noise and vibration.;The objective of this dissertation is to evaluate the effectiveness of using physically motivated pulse-type Individual Blade Control for reducing the noise associated with the BVI. First, the major parameters that affect the severity of the interaction, such as vortex strength and blade-vortex miss-distance, are analyzed. Second, inputs designed specifically to alter the parameters previously identified as key are explored, resulting in elimination of advancing side noise and overall peak BVI Sound Pressure Level (BVISPL) reductions of up to 4.6 dB. Lastly, different feedback mechanisms for closed-loop control of IBC are examined to allow implementation of the developed inputs. |
