Generic Wind Tunnel Study on Side Edge Noise

Abstract

The aeroacoustic phenomena of flap side edge noise and the associated noise source mechanisms are discussed. Further, a systematic and parametric wind tunnel study is presented which considers generic side edge models instead of specific flap side edge configurations. A particular test set-up allowed isolating the side edge noise from all other aerodynamic noise sources. The tests provided information on side edge far field noise of reference flat angular edges of different thicknesses, selected rounded and sharp side edge geometries as well as selected low noise side edge designs. On basis of these results several concepts to control the dominant noise source mechanisms and future steps towards a design optimization are addressed.