Imagine a plane engine without the heavy outer shell, like a giant high-tech propeller. This design uses less fuel and weighs less, but it's traditionally much noisier. This work creates a precise digital and physical map to make these engines quiet enough for passengers while keeping them super efficient.
Open fan engines offer huge fuel savings but are too noisy and lack the public testing data needed to move from a concept to a certified product.
A physical test article for an unducted single fan and a corresponding experimental database of noise and performance data.
If you are an engine manufacturer dealing with high CO2 and NOx emissions — this project developed an unducted single fan (USF) experimental database that helps achieve a 5-10 dB noise reduction. This allows for the creation of more efficient, carbon-free propulsion systems.
If you are a green aircraft developer dealing with the lack of public test data for open rotors — this project developed a validated numerical toolset and experimental data. This unlocks the use of USF for Hydrogen and Hybrid-electric configurations.
If you are a simulation firm dealing with inaccurate blade-to-blade variation models — this project developed validated experimental data to expand the scope of numerical tools. This reduces the risk of misleading conclusions during the design phase.
Based on available project data, there is no specific pricing or unit cost mentioned; the project focuses on validation and data generation.
The project is currently in the validation phase using a test article designed by Safran Aeroengines and DLR to provide industrial information for future design.
Based on available project data, the project aims to build an experimental database to unlock applications, but specific licensing terms are not provided.
The project targets a noise reduction of 5-10 dB to bring open fan noise levels closer to those of traditional ducted fans.
The project period is from 2023-02-01 to 2027-01-31, indicating a four-year development and validation cycle.
The consortium is a lean group of 6 partners from 4 countries (DE, ES, FR, UK). It features a strong academic-research core (3 universities, 2 research centers) balanced by a critical industrial anchor, Safran Aeroengines (17% industry ratio), ensuring that the aerodynamic designs are grounded in industrial specifications.
Contact Universidad Politecnica de Madrid for details on the USF experimental database.
Contact SciTransfer to access the validated numerical tools for open fan design.
