Sawtooth trailing edges of propeller blades as high-frequency noise dampers
Object and purpose of research. This paper explores the potential of sawtooth trailing edges in marine propeller designs, taking waterjet impeller as a case study. Materials and methods. The study analyses a number of foreign publications on sawtooth trailing edge effect upon aeroacoustics of various object, derives principal ratios between geometric parameters of trailing edge that enable efficient damping of high-frequency noise and, last but not least, describes sonar stealth potential of sawtooth trailing edges. Main results. Development and manufacturing of waterjet impeller model with saw-tooth blades. Cavitation, hydro- dynamic and acoustic testing of the model. Conclusion. Model tests have shown that sawtooth trailing edges can efficiently damp high-frequency noise of marine propeller, keeping their hydrodynamic and cavitation performance practically the same.