Between M1 and M18 the focus was mainly on the appropriate specifications and the final selection of OGV concepts for prototype manufacturing and testing. This was done in a final technology review, which was performed to ensure that the right technologies will be used for the test campaign of WP3. Further specifications, like basic test setup definition, blade geometry, target frequencies and aerodynamic properties, were established and extensively documented. The detailed description of the technical requirements for the OGV prototypes was provided and the specifications for the configurations to be studied in the small-scale experimental campaign were also developed. A first preliminary design review meeting (PDR) took place in M17.
The period from M19 to M36 was focused to prepare the small-scale wind tunnel tests of WP3. Every prototype concept underwent a detailed design regarding InnoSTAT's specific wind tunnel setup. A final concept selection occurred in summer 2021 after a CDR. In total, 49 OGV – 5 prototype sets and 2 references - were manufactured until mid of January 2022 and tested together with the reference OGV until end of May 2022. Almost all of the 5 prototype concepts showed promising acoustic results. 2 of the prototype concepts reached TRL 2 and haven’t been selected for the next step. 3 concepts reached TRL 3 and passed the selection procedure, by including the most important acoustic metrics together with aerodynamic performance. The consortium's 3 concepts went into the next phase of InnoSTAT, the large-scale investigations of WP4.
After M37, the WP4 focused on re-designing and select the low-noise OGV for the large-scale test campaign at the PHARE-2 facility. After successful PDR and CDR, 2 full OGV stages were manufactured and tested, until November 2023 and during January 2024. The third concept will be manufactured in 2024 to be available for future activities (InnoSTAT’s legacy). The results from large-scale show very good effects, of course depending on the operation point. But the total acoustic power could be reduced by 5dB to 10dB, with some tonal reductions up to 13 dB*. The target TRL 4 was fully achieved at large-scale.
The definition, specification, mechanical design and manufacturing of a full-scale demonstrator was done in WP5, ending up at TRL 2-3.
Test activities were closely accompanied by high-fidelity numerical work of WP2.
Overall, InnoSTAT was successful by achieving all of its set objectives.
*É.Salze et al., “Noise reduction of aero-engines using innovative stators with leading edge features”, AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, 4-7 June 2024, Rome, Italy.
