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At least 343 records · Page 19

A computer program for the identification of helicopter impulsive noise sources

A computer program is presented for calculating the source location of implusive noise in helicopters. The program (INSL) is written in FORTRAN for the CDC 7600 computer. Inputs are the rotor operating conditions and the time intervals (T) between rotor 1/rev index and impulsive noises as measured by different microphones. The outputs are the possible noise source locations in terms of rotor radial and azimuthal coordinates. Typical computer time for a run of six microphone measurements is 1.5 sec, and the cost is about 12 cents for the CDC 7600.

Lee, A.↗

Identification and measurement of combustion noise from a turbofan engine using correlation and coherence techniques

Fluctuating pressure measurements within the combustor and tailpipe of a turbofan engine are made simultaneously with far field acoustic measurements. The pressure measurements within the engine are accomplished with cooled semi-infinite waveguide probes utilizing conventional condenser microphones as the transducers. The measurements are taken over a broad range of engine operating conditions and for 16 far field microphone positions between 10 deg and 160 deg relative to the engine inlet axis. Correlation and coherence techniques are used to determine the relative phase and amplitude relationships between the internal pressures and far field acoustic pressures. The results indicate that the combustor is a low frequency source region for acoustic propagation through the tailpipe and out to the far field. Specifically, it is found that the relation between source pressure and the resulting sound pressure involves a 180 deg phase shift. The latter result is obtained by Fourier transforming the cross correlation function between the source pressure and acoustic pressure after removing the propagation delay time. Further, it is found that the transfer function between the source pressure and acoustic pressure has a magnitude approximately proportional to frequency squared. These results are shown to be consistent with a model using a modified source term in Lighthill's turbulence stress tensor, wherein the fluctuating Reynolds stresses are replaced with the pressure fluctuations due to fluctuating entropy.

Karchmer, A. M.↗

Forward speed effects on blown flap noise

The effects of forward speed on the noise of under-the-wing (externally blown flaps, EBF) and over-the-wing (upper surface blown, USB) blown flap configurations were measured in wind tunnel model tests with cold jets. The results are presented without correction for the effects (e.g., signal convection, shear layer refraction) associated with flight simulation in a wind tunnel or free jet facility. Noise decreases were generally observed at microphones forward of the wing. The reductions were larger at the low frequencies (below peak SPL) than at the high (above peak SPL). Noise increases of 10 dB or more were observed at the aft microphones, especially in the high frequency range.

Pennock, A. P.↗

Method of fan sound mode structure determination

A method for the determination of fan sound mode structure in the Inlet of turbofan engines using in-duct acoustic pressure measurements is presented. The method is based on the simultaneous solution of a set of equations whose unknowns are modal amplitude and phase. A computer program for the solution of the equation set was developed. An additional computer program was developed which calculates microphone locations the use of which results in an equation set that does not give rise to numerical instabilities. In addition to the development of a method for determination of coherent modal structure, experimental and analytical approaches are developed for the determination of the amplitude frequency spectrum of randomly generated sound models for use in narrow annulus ducts. Two approaches are defined: one based on the use of cross-spectral techniques and the other based on the use of an array of microphones.

Pickett, G. F.↗

Method of fan sound mode structure determination computer program user's manual: Modal calculation program

A computer user's manual describing the operation and the essential features of the Modal Calculation Program is presented. The modal Calculation Program calculates the amplitude and phase of modal structures by means of acoustic pressure measurements obtained from microphones placed at selected locations within the fan inlet duct. In addition, the Modal Calculation Program also calculates the first-order errors in the modal coefficients that are due to tolerances in microphone location coordinates and inaccuracies in the acoustic pressure measurements.

Pickett, G. F.↗

Unsteady loads due to propulsive lift configurations. Part C: Development of experimental techniques for investigation of unsteady pressures behind a cold model jet

As part of an overall study of the scaling laws for the fluctuating pressures induced on the wings and flaps of STOL aircraft by jet engine impingement, an experimental investigation was made of the near field fluctuating pressures behind a cold circular jet, both when it was free and when it was impinging on a flat plate. Miniature static pressure probes were developed for measurements in the free jet and on the flat plate which were connected by plastic tubing to 1/8 inch microphones and acted as pressure transducers. Using a digital correlator together with an FFT program on the CDC 6400 computer, spectral densities, relative amplitudes, phase lags, and coherences were also obtained for the signals from pairs of these probes, and were used to calibrate these probes directly against microphones. This system of instrumentation was employed to obtain single point rms and third octave surveys of the static pressures in the free jet and on the surface of the plate.

Haviland, J. K.↗

Use of coherence and phase data between two receivers in evaluation of noise environments

For certain types of noise control problems, where transducers cannot be mounted on suspected sources, valuable information can often be obtained by comparing the coherence and phase data measured between two closely spaced microphones with analytical models deduced from the physics of the problem. However, the application of such analysis techniques must be pursued with care, particularly when the measurements are made in a reverberant area. A simple illustration is presented where the acoustic field in the test section of a wind tunnel is evaluated by modelling the field as a combination of diffuse noise due to the boundary layer turbulence in the test section and propagating noise generated by the tunnel fan and possible flow disturbances outside the test section. The coherence and phase between two closely spaced microphones in the tunnel test section are predicted for various ratios of diffuse to propagating noise contributions and compared to actual measurements under several different tunnel operating conditions.

Piersol, A. G.↗

Fan noise-mode structure in a duct

Two computer programs help analyst meet low-noise limits on turbofan engines. Microphone Location Program computes optimum locations in turbofan duct for placement of microphones. After tests in first program are run, acoustic phase, amplitude, and pressure are used as inputs in Modal Calculation Program.

Love, R. A.↗

Acoustic scattering by circular cylinders of various aspect ratios

The effects of acoustic scattering on the useful frequency range of pressure gradient microphones were investigated experimentally between ka values of 0.407 and 4.232 using two circular cylindrical models (L/D = 0.5 and 0.25) having a 25 cm outside diameter. Small condenser microphones, attached to preamplifiers by flexible connectors, were installed from inside the cylindrical bodies, and flush mounted on the exterior surface of the cylinders. A 38 cm diameter woofer in a large speaker enclosure was used as the sound source. Surface pressure augmentation and phase differences were computed from measured data for various sound wave incidence angles. Results are graphically compared with theoretical predictions supplied by NASA for ka = 0.407, 2.288, and 4.232. All other results are tabulated in the appendices. With minor exceptions, the experimentally determined pressure augmentations agreed within 0.75 dB with theoretical predictions. The agreement for relative phase angles was within 5 percent without any exceptions. Scattering parameter variations with ka and L/D ratio, as computed from experimental data, are also presented.

Maciulaitis, A.↗

Airframe noise component interaction studies

Acoustic wind tunnel tests were conducted of a two-dimensional wing section with removable high-lift leading and trailing edge devices and a removeable two-wheel landing gear with open cavity. An array of far field conventional microphones and an acoustic mirror directional microphone were utilized to determine far field spectrum levels and noise source distribution. Data were obtained for the wing with components deployed separately and in various combinations. The basic wing model had 0.305 m (1.00 ft) chord, which is roughly 1/10 scale for a one-hundred passenger transport airplane. Most of the data were obtained at 70.7 and 100 m/sec (232 and 328 ft/sec) airspeeds, which bracket the range of practical approach speeds for such aircraft. Data were obtained at frequence to 40 kHz so that, when scaled to s typical full-airframe, the frequency region which strongly influences preceived noise level would be included.

Fink, M. R.↗

Acoustic sensor engineering evaluation test report

Two types of one-inch diameter sound pressure level sensors, which are candidates for monitoring ambient noise in the shuttle orbiter crew compartment during rest periods, were exposed to temperature, passive humidity, and vibration. One unexposed sensor of each type served as a reference unit. Except for the humidity exposures, each of the three capacitive microphones was individually tested in sequence with the essential voltage power supply and preamplifier. One unit exibited anomalous characteristics after the humidity exposure but returned to normal after being dried in an oven at 115 deg for two hours. Except for the humidity exposures, each of the three piezoelectric microphones was individually tested with a laboratory type amplifier. Two apparent failures occurred during these tests. The diaphragm on one was found ruptured after the fourth cycle of the humidity test. A second sensor showed an anomaly after the random vibration tests at which time its sensitivity was consistent at about one-half its former value.

Phillips, E. L., Jr.↗

Resolution enhanced sound detecting apparatus

An apparatus is described for enhancing the resolution of a sound detector of the type which includes an acoustic mirror for focusing sound from an object onto a microphone to enable the determination of the location from which the sound arises. The enhancement apparatus includes an enclosure which surrounds the space between the mirror and microphone, and contains a gas heavier than air, such as Freon, through which sound moves slower and therefore with a shorter wavelength than in air, so that a mirror of given size has greater resolving power. An acoustically transparent front wall of the enclosure which lies forward of the mirror, can include a pair of thin sheets with pressured air between them, to form an end of the region of heavy gas into a concave shape.

Kendall, J. M.↗

Characteristics of propeller noise on an aircraft fuselage related to interior noise transmission

Exterior noise was measured on the fuselage of a twin-engine, light aircraft at four values of engine rpm in ground static tests and at forward speeds up to 36 m/s in taxi tests. Propeller noise levels, spectra, and correlations were determined using a horizontal array of seven flush-mounted microphones and a vertical array of four flush-mounted microphones in the propeller plane. The measured levels and spectra are compared with predictions based on empirical and analytical methods for static and taxi conditions. Trace wavelengths of the propeller noise field, obtained from point-to-point correlations, are compared with the aircraft sidewall structural dimensions, and some analytical results are presented that suggest the sensitivity of interior noise transmission to variations of the propeller noise characteristics.

Mixson, J. S.↗

Airframe noise component interaction studies

Acoustic wind tunnel tests were conducted to examine the noise-generating processes of an airframe during approach flight. The airframe model was a two-dimensional wing section, to which highlift leading and trailing edge devices and landing gear could be added. Far field conventional microphones were utilized to determine component spectrum levels. An acoustic mirror directional microphone was utilized to examine noise source distributions on airframe components extended separately and in combination. Measured quantities are compared with predictions inferred from aircraft flyover data. Aeroacoustic mechanisms for each airframe component are identified. Component interaction effects on total radiated noise generally were small (within about 2 dB). However, some interactions significantly redistributed the local noise source strengths by changing local flow velocities and turbulence levels. Possibilities for noise reduction exist if trailing edge flaps could be modified to decrease their noise radiation caused by incident turbulent flow.

Fink, M. R.↗

Modal content of noise generated by a coaxial jet in a pipe

Noise generated by air flow through a coaxial obstruction in a long, straight pipe was investigated with concentration on the modal characteristics of the noise field inside the pipe and downstream of the restriction. Two measurement techniques were developed for separation of the noise into the acoustic duct modes. The instantaneous mode separation technique uses four microphones, equally spaced in the circumferential direction, at the same axial location. The time-averaged mode separation technique uses three microphones mounted at the same axial location. A matrix operation on time-averaged data produces the modal pressure levels. This technique requires the restrictive assumption that the acoustic modes are uncorrelated with each other. The measured modal pressure spectra were converted to modal power spectra and integrated over the frequency range 200-6000 Hz. The acoustic efficiency levels (acoustic power normalized by jet kinetic energy flow), when plotted vs. jet Mach number, showed a strong dependence on the ratio of restriction diameter to pipe diameter. The acoustic energy flow analyses based on the thermodynamic energy equation and on the results of Mohring both resulted in orthogonality properties for the eigenfunctions of the radial mode shape equation. These orthogonality relationships involve the eigenvalues and derivatives of the radial mode shape functions.

Kerschen, E. J.↗

Noise prediction for jetstar prop-fan test

The acoustic calculations reported in this memorandum are for two model prop-fan designs (SR-2 and SR-3 blades) scheduled for test on top of Jetstar aircraft. The predicted acoustic pressure signatures and spectra for selected microphone positions on the fuselage and operating conditions are presented. A detailed presentation of the input data, the acoustic results, and the corrections for microphone fuselage reflection are included. The general trend observed in these calculations is that the acoustically optimized model (using SR-3 blades) is substantially quieter than the model with SR-2 blades. This latter design has conventional straight blades.

Farassat, F.↗

Jet noise results from static, wind tunnel, and flight tests of conical and mechanical suppressor nozzles

Results of jet noise suppression tests conducted on a Rolls-Royce Viper 601 turbojet engine are reported. Seven exhaust nozzle configurations are tested, including two conical nozzles, two suppressor mixers, and three treated ejector configurations with different ejector inlets. Tests are conducted at the NASA Ames outdoor static test facility and the 40- by 80-ft wind tunnel facility at minimum tunnel flow velocity and normal flow velocities of 230 and 290 ft/sec. Near-field multiple sideline noise levels are projected to the far fields to compare far-field fixed microphone outdoor static noise levels, and wind tunnel near-field noise data are projected to the far field and flight distances to compare with noise levels recorded from an Hs-125 aircraft. Near-field outdoor noise data duplicate the far-field data recorded from fixed microphones within 2 PNdB, and the Douglas mechanical jet noise suppressor/treated ejector exhaust system achieves a noise reduction of 12 EPNdB relative to a conic reference nozzle at equal thrust in flight.

Mckinnon, R. A.↗

In-flight transition measurement on a 10 deg cone at Mach numbers from 0.5 to 2.0

Boundary layer transition measurements were made in flight on a 10 deg transition cone tested previously in 23 wind tunnels. The cone was mounted on the nose of an F-15 aircraft and flown at Mach numbers room 0.5 to 2.0 and altitudes from 1500 meters (5000 feet) to 15,000 meters (50,000 feet), overlapping the Mach number/Reynolds number envelope of the wind tunnel tests. Transition was detected using a traversing pitot probe in contact with the surface. Data were obtained near zero cone incidence and adiabatic wall temperature. Transition Reynolds number was found to be a function of Mach number and of the ratio of wall temperature to adiabatic all temperature. Microphones mounted flush with the cone surface measured free-stream disturbances imposed on the laminar boundary layer and identified Tollmien-Schlichting waves as the probable cause of transition. Transition Reynolds number also correlated with the disturbance levels as measured by the cone surface microphones under a laminar boundary layer as well as the free-stream impact.

Fisher, D. F.↗