When: 5 June 2018 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm

Venue: Room 405A, J17 Ainsworth Building

This presentation will give an overview of recent work on the aeroacoustic noise produced by large Contra-Rotating Open Rotors (CRORs) and small UAV Rotors. A CROR is a novel aeronautical engine, which is being investigated for use on large (~150 seat) commercial passenger aircraft, and which promises significant reductions in fuel burn relative to conventional turbofan engines. The CROR has been investigated extensively by the aeronautical industry over the past decade via computational/analytical studies and extensive experimental campaigns using model-scale engines. Testing in large open-jet wind tunnels at low flow speeds is used to simulate take-off and approach conditions, whilst testing in transonic wind tunnels is used to simulate cruise. Making noise measurements in both environments is challenging, and some of the issues encountered during testing will be described. A description of the noise generation mechanisms and simple analytical models for predicting noise from these engines and how these are useful as design tools will also be presented. The talk will conclude with a description of current work being undertaken at the University of Auckland investigating the noise produced by small UAV rotors - including the development of an experimental rig and methods for predicting this noise.

Michael Kingan obtained BE(hons) and PhD degrees from the University of Canterbury in 2002 and 2006 respectively. Following his graduation he worked as a postdoctoral fellow and then as a lecturer at the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Gas Turbine Noise which is hosted at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton. His time in Southampton was devoted to developing methods for predicting and understanding the noise produced by Contra-Rotating Open Rotors, which are a novel, highly efficient aeronautical propulsor being investigated by the aeronautical industry. He joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Auckland as a Senior Lecturer in 2015 where he continues to work on aeroacoustics problems as well as research in the general area of acoustics (primarily building acoustics and numerical methods for modelling acoustic propagation).