An Acoustic Procedure for Measuring Blade-Frequency Forces Generated by Model Ship Propellers

An acoustic procedure is described for measuring the blade-frequency fluctuating forces developed by a powered model propeller operating behind a model of a ship’s hull or a wake generator in the anechoic test section of a wind tunnel. The sound pressure radiated by the propeller in a given direction is measured and its magnitude inserted into a simple theoretical relation to determine the alternating force developed by the propeller in that direction. Although the procedure was developed years ago, the details and limitations have not previously been described in the literature. Restrictions are discussed on the size of the propeller, location of the measurement point, measurement frequency, and the wind speed. Measurements determining the validity of the procedure are described, including comparisons of the magnitude of forces determined by this acoustic procedure with direct measurements made with a force dynamometer in a water tunnel.