The EU HeliNOVI Project - Wind Tunnel Investigations for Noise and Vibration Reduction

Abstract

The paper gives an overview about the HeliNOVI project. Emphasis is given to the description of the tests in the 8m by 6m open German-Dutch wind tunnel and its results. The wind tunnel model consists of a 25% scaled Bo105 Ma-scaled rotor, fuselage, and tail rotor. In order to investigate the influence on noise and vibration, many parameters are varied, e.g. main rotor and tail rotor (TR) rpm, TR position, TR sense of rotation, fuselage contour, etc. Different methods are used to get a comprehensive data base: Dyn. pressure sensors, acoustic array, microphone traverse, particle image velocimetry (PIV), and SPR (stereo pattern recognition). Rotor and fuselage balances are used to get static and dynamic loads. Main rotor blades are equipped with strain gauges and TR blades with pressure probes and strain gauges. The paper shows some selected results from acoustic and vibration measurements.