Abstract
Leading edge serrations are identified as an effective passive treatment for reducing fan broadband noise due to high turbulent inflow conditions. This paper aims to investigate the isolated effect of serrated applications in a rotating frame, covering the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance. With this purpose, a serration design, previously analyzed in the rigid domain, is transferred to the rotating frame, following a successive approach in form of a continuous increase of the fan blade number. This is considered as a feasible way to isolate the serration effects and to provide information on fan blade interaction and possible masking effects. Comparing blades with straight and serrated leading edges by analyzing the spectral noise reduction and the overall level result in deep insights in the underlying noise reduction mechanisms. Furthermore, analysis of phase differences by means of the wall pressure fluctuations leads to the identification of rotating flow phenomena, nonsynchronized with the rotor speed. The results obtained indicate an efficient noise reduction by the serrations in the vicinity of the design point. By use of the presented successive approach, noise reduction phenomena observed with the full rotor could be identified to be of either aeroacoustic or aerodynamic nature. A reduced noise is observed for the full rotor case, showing a reduction of blade interaction effects. At reducing flow coefficients, an improved stall margin of the serrated rotor is identified that also affects the aeroacoustic signature.
