Technology In Blacksburg Inc — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: A1

Description

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in">In response to NASA SBIR topic <em>A1.02 Quiet Performance &ndash; Propulsion Noise Reduction Technology</em>, the team of Techsburg, AVEC, and Ampaire proposes implementation and design application of a <em><strong>low-order noise modeling tool for installed ducted fan-rotor aerodynamic and acoustic analysis</strong></em>.&nbsp;Named the &ldquo;Installed Ducted-Fan Noise Model&rdquo; (IDFNM), and following after Techsburg/AVEC&rsquo;s work in noise modeling for pusher propellers, this tool will offer early-stage design analysis support for installed ducted fan-rotor propulsion systems by capturing the aerodynamic unsteady loading and noise sources resulting from inflow distortion or non-uniform inflow. This tool is well suited for highly integrated and innovative propulsion airframe integration concepts, such as boundary layer ingesting fan configurations. Application of this tool will focus on a highly-efficient design for Ampaire&rsquo;s TailWind electric aircraft. In collaboration with Ampaire, Techsburg and AVEC will work to design an optimized first-generation BLI ducted fan for the TailWind passenger aircraft. During Phase I, Techsburg and AVEC will work on design tool maturation, and also conduct a propulsor design trade study, complete with aerodynamic and acoustic predictions, for the TailWind aft-mounted, boundary layer ingesting ducted fan.&nbsp; Phase II work will include an anechoic wind tunnel test program for validation of prediction tools over a range of operating conditions and the delivery of an integrated low-order noise prediction software&nbsp;package for the &quot;Installed Ducted-Fan Noise Model&rdquo;.</p>