Variable-Height Rotor Blade Protrusions for Rotary-Wing Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotary wing aircrafts generate significant noise during operation, limiting their application scenarios and requiring improved noise reduction techniques.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of protruding structures on the blade surface, arranged in a spanwise direction with varying heights and shapes, to induce forced turbulence transition and reduce laminar separation bubbles, enhancing airflow attachment and minimizing noise generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If protruding structures with varying heights are arranged on the blade surface, then noise reduction effect is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidblade structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade surface is equipped with protruding structures at specific locations rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The protruding structures are arranged in sequences along the spanwise direction with varying heights (first, second, and third heights) at different positions, creating local quality variations that trigger turbulence transition precisely where needed to reduce noise without unnecessarily complicating the entire blade structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The noise reduction solution is segmented into multiple discrete protruding structures rather than using a single continuous modification. These protruding structures are arranged in separate sequences (first sequence, second sequence, third sequence) at different spanwise positions, allowing independent optimization of each segment's height and positioning to achieve cumulative noise reduction效果 while managing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If protruding structures are added to the blade surface, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerodynamic efficiencyVSAvoidprotruding structure dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies parameter ranges for the protruding structures rather than fixed values, providing manufacturing flexibility. The height parameters are defined as ranges (first height range, second height range, third height range) rather than exact values, and the spanwise positioning is defined by distance ranges from the blade root. This parametric approach allows manufacturing within tolerances while maintaining the aerodynamic effectiveness of triggering turbulence transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design effectively reduces noise levels by up to 5 dBA, improving aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining aircraft performance.

Implementation Method 1

a contact region with air is increased by means of the plurality of protruding structures having the height difference to achieve forced turbulence transition on a laminar separation bubble of the blade

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence transition: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

a thickness of a boundary layer of a trailing edge is reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBoundary layer: Boundary Layer

Data Source

PatentEP4644238A1Rotor and rotorcraft
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 BEIJING SANKUAI ONLINE TECH CO LTD
  • EP4644238A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4644238A1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4644238A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present application discloses a rotor. The rotor comprises a blade, a plurality of protruding structures protrude from the surface of the blade, the plurality of protruding structures are sequentially arranged at intervals in the spanwise direction of the blade, and a height difference is formed between every two adjacent protruding structures.