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At least 361 records · Page 20

Effect of grazing flow on the acoustic impedance of Helmholtz resonators consisting of single and clustered orifices

A semiempirical fluid mechanical model is derived for the acoustic behavior of thin-walled single orifice Helmholtz resonators in a grazing flow environment. The incident and cavity sound fields are connected in terms of an orifice discharge coefficient whose values are determined experimentally using the two-microphone method. Measurements show that at high grazing flow speeds, acoustical resistance is almost linearly proportional to the grazing flow speed and almost independent of incident sound pressure. The corresponding values of reactance are much smaller and tend towards zero. For thicker-walled orifice plates, resistance and reactance were observed to be less sensitive to grazing flow as the ratio of plate thickness to orifice diameter increased. Loud tones were observed to radiate from a single orifice Helmholtz resonator due to interaction between the grazing flow shear layer and the resonator cavity. Measurements showed that the tones radiated at a Strouhal number equal to 0.26. The effects of grazing flow on the impedance of Helmholtz resonators consisting of clusters of orifices was also studied. In general, both resistance and reaction were found to be virtually independent of orifice relative spacing and number. These findings are valid with and without grazing flow.

Hersch, A. S.↗

Time-accurate Navier-Stokes computations of self-excited two-dimensional unsteady cavity flows

Time-accurate Navier Stokes computations were performed to study self-excited oscillatory shear layer behavior over a two-dimensional rectangular cavity and to gain insight into the vortex-acoustic coupling that sustains these oscillations. Results were obtained solving the full, unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations for Reynolds-averaged turbulent air flow past a cavity with L/d = 2. Conditions duplicated test conditions in experiments by Rossiter at Mach numbers varied from 0.6 to 1.2. The computational scheme was the USA 2D series code developed by Rockwell's Science Center with an algebraic turbulence model for the shear layer and recirculating region. Two physical conditions were simulated: an isolated cavity situated (1) in an infinite plane wall and (2) in an infinite channel with an opposing parallel wall. Computed results for (1) showed excellent agreement with Rossiter's measured amplitudes and frequencies. A tuned acoustic duct resonance effect was observed in (2), demonstrating a controlled change in the acoustic feedback mechanism and resultant amplification in computed oscillations.

Dougherty, N. Sam↗

Controllable Sonar Lenses and Prisms Based on ERFs

Sonar-beam-steering devices of the proposed type would contain no moving parts and would be considerably smaller and less power-hungry, relative to conventional multiple-beam sonar arrays. The proposed devices are under consideration for installation on future small autonomous underwater vehicles because the sizes and power demands of conventional multiple-beam arrays are excessive, and motors used in single-beam mechanically scanned systems are also not reliable. The proposed devices would include a variety of electrically controllable acoustic prisms, lenses, and prism/lens combinations both simple and compound. These devices would contain electrorheological fluids (ERFs) between electrodes. An ERF typically consists of dielectric particles floating in a dielectric fluid. When an electric field is applied to the fluid, the particles become grouped into fibrils aligned in rows, with a consequent increase in the viscosity of the fluid and a corresponding increase in the speed of sound in the fluid. The change in the speed of sound increases with an increase in the applied electric field. By thus varying the speed of sound, one varies the acoustic index of refraction, analogously to varying the index of refraction of an optical lens or prism. In the proposed acoustic devices, this effect would be exploited to control the angles of refraction of acoustic beams, thereby steering the beams and, in the case of lenses, controlling focal lengths.

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph↗

Validation of Noise Propagation for Lined Inlets

Commercial finite element modeling tools are validated for use on inlet radiated noise predictions for an acoustically lined subsonic aircraft inlet tested in the NASA Glenn 9-foot by 15-foot low-speed wind tunnel. An in-depth review and prediction of the acoustic liner properties on the Advanced Ducted Propulsor were conducted for use in the noise predictions. Agreement between the inlet radiated noise predictions to the measured tones at approach was used as the validation for the prediction tools. Similar follow-up predictions were conducted for an acoustically lined supersonic inlet. A follow-up investigation on the effect of the acoustic liner placement within the supersonic inlet was undertaken.

Acoustics↗

Combustion stabilization with acoustic cavities.

An experimental and analytical study has been performed to develop the technology necessary for effective use of acoustic cavities to suppress acoustic modes of combustion instability. An unbaffled variation of the LM ascent engine has been made dynamically stable with acoustic cavities only; five different cavity configurations were found sufficient to produce dynamic stability. An analytical model was developed to calculate the damping contributed by the cavity. Further, subscale tests were made to determine the nonlinear acoustic impedance of these cavities.

Oberg, C. L.↗

Effect of grazing flow on the acoustic impedance of interacting cavity-backed orifices

The two-microphone method was used to investigate the impedance of interacting cavity-backed orifices in the presence of a grazing flow; the investigation has relevance for the control of turbomachinery noise generated within jet engines. The number (varied from one to 16), the diameter, and the spacing of the orifices were the chief parameters studied in the experimental program. It was found that interactions between adjacent orifices, while increasing reactance, do not significantly alter resistance. In addition, the grazing flow appears to reduce the rate of increase of the reactance.

Hersh, A. S.↗

Effect of facility variation on the acoustic characteristics of three single stream nozzles

The characteristics of the jet noise produced by three single stream nozzles have been investigated statically at the NASA-Lewis Research Center outdoor jet acoustic facility. The nozzles consisted of a 7.6 cm diameter convergent conical, a 10.2 cm diameter convergent conical and an 8-lobe daisy nozzle with 7.6 cm equivalent diameter flow area. The acoustic experiments at NASA covered pressure ratios from 1.4 to 2.5 at total temperatures of 811 K and ambient. The data obtained with four different microphone arrays are compared.

Gutierrez, O. A.↗

Effect of facility variation on the acoustic characteristics of three single stream nozzles

The characteristics of the jet noise produced by three single stream nozzles were investigated statistically at the NASA-Lewis Research Center outdoor jet acoustic facility. The nozzles consisted of a 7.6 cm diameter convergent conical, a 10.2 cm diameter convergent conical and an 8-lobe daisy nozzle with 7.6 cm equivalent diameter flow area. The same nozzles were tested previously at cold flow conditions in other facilities such as the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) 7.3 m acoustic wind tunnel. The acoustic experiments at NASA covered pressure ratios from 1.4 to 2.5 at total temperatures of 811 K and ambient. The data obtained with four different microphone arrays are compared. The results are also compared with data taken at the RAE facility and with a NASA prediction procedure.

Gutierrez, O. A.↗

Analysis of the effect on combustor noise measurements of acoustic waves reflected by the turbine and combustor inlet

Spectral analyses of static pressure fluctuations measured in turbine engine combustors at low engine speed show good agreement with theory. At idle speed the high pressure turbine is unchoked. Above idle speed the turbine chokes and a significant change in the shape of the measured combustor pressure spectrum is observed. A simplified theoretical model of the acoustic pressure generated in the combustor due to the turbulence-flame front interaction did not account for acoustic waves reflected from the turbine. By retaining this simplified combustion noise source model and adding a partial reflecting plane at the turbine and combustor inlet, a simple theoretical model was developed that reproduces the undulations in the combustor fluctuating pressure spectra. Plots of the theoretical combustor fluctuating pressure spectra are compared to the measured pressure spectra obtained from the CF6-50 turbofan engine over a range of engine operating speeds. The simplified combustion noise theory when modified by a simple turbine reflecting plane adequately accounts for the changes in measured combustor pressure spectra. It is further concluded that the shape of the pressure spectra downstream of the turbine, neglecting noise generated by the turbine itself, will be the combustion noise spectra unchanged except for the level reduction due to the energy blocked by the turbine.

Huff, R. G.↗

Effects of specimen resonances on acoustic-ultrasonic testing

Frequency response is studied at two different transducer locations in the 10-280 kHz range, for the case of the response of a solid 6061-T6 aluminum alloy block to the fracture of an 0.5 mm-diameter pencil lead, as well as to the impact of 0.159 and 0.318 cm-diameter stainless steel spheres. Prominent peaks in the pencil lead fracture and sphere impact spectra from the two transducer locations are found to exactly correspond to the alloy block's resonant frequencies, indicating that these have dominated the spectral content of the output signal. The spectral content is further influenced by the transducer location, relative to the resonant frequency nodal lines. The implications of these results for acoustic-ultrasonic parameters and measurements are discussed.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗

Analysis of the effect on combustor noise measurements of acoustic waves reflected by the turbine and combustor inlet

Spectral analyses of static pressure fluctuations measured in turbine engine combustors at low engine speed show good agreement with theory. At idle speed the high pressure turbine is unchoked. Above idle speed the turbine chokes and a significant change in the shape of the measured combustor pressure spectrum is observed. A simplified theoretical model of the acoustic pressure generated in the combustor due to the turbulence-flame front interaction did not account for acoustic waves reflected from the turbine. By retaining this simplified combustion noise source model and adding a partial reflecting plane at the turbine and combustor inlet, a simple theoretical model was developed that reproduces the undulations in the combustor fluctuating pressure spectra. Plots of the theoretical combustor fluctuating pressure spectra are compared to the measured pressure spectra obtained from the CF6-50 turbofan engine over a range of engine operating speeds. The simplified combustion noise theory when modified by a simple turbine reflecting plane adequately accounts for the changes in measured combustor pressure spectra. It is further concluded that the shape of the pressure spectra downstream of the turbine, neglecting noise generated by the turbine itself, will be the combustion noise spectra unchanged except for the level reduction due to the energy blocked by the turbine.

Huff, R. G.↗

Modelling of wind tunnel wall effects on the radiation characteristics of acoustic sources

It is pointed out that the relatively high fuel economy available from propeller-driven aircraft has renewed interest in high speed, highly loaded multiple blade turboprop propulsion systems. Undesirable features related to community noise and the high intensity cabin noise have stimulated new research on the acoustic characteristics of turboprops. The present investigation has the objective to develop a mathematical model of the essential features of the radiation of acoustic disturbances from propellers in a duct and in free space in order to quantify the success with which duct testing can be expected to approximate free field conditions. In connection with the importance of source directionality, a detailed model is considered which consists of a finite element representation of the Gutin propeller theory valid in both the near and far field.

Eversman, W.↗

Materials and characterization using acoustic nonlinearity parameters and harmonic generation - Effects of crystalline and amorphous structures

The effects of material structure on the nonlinearity parameters are reviewed. Problems discussed include definition of nonlinearity parameters, square-law nonlinearity and collinear beam-mixing, structure dependence of the nonlinearity parameters, negative nonlinearity parameters, and implications for materials characterization.

Cantrell, John H.↗

Propagation Effects of Wind and Temperature on Acoustic Ground Contour Levels

Propagation characteristics for varying wind and temperature atmospheric conditions are identified using physically-limiting propagation angles to define shadow boundary regions. These angles are graphically illustrated for various wind and temperature cases using a newly developed ray-tracing propagation code.

Heath, Stephanie L.↗

The Effect of Resistance on Rocket Injector Acoustics

Combustion instability, where unsteady heat release couples with acoustic modes, has long been an area of concern in liquid rocket engines. Accurate modeling of the acoustic normal modes of the combustion chamber is important to understanding and preventing combustion instability. The injector resistance can have a significant influence on the chamber normal mode shape, and hence on the system stability.

Morgan, C. J.↗

Ultrasonic deterrents provide no additional benefit over curtailment in reducing bat fatalities at an Ohio wind energy facility

Wind energy is important for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions but also contributes to global bat mortality. Current strategies to minimize bat mortality due to collision with wind-turbine blades fall broadly into two categories: curtailment (limiting turbine operation during high-risk periods) and deterrence (discouraging bat activity near turbines). Recently, there has been interest in combining these strategies to achieve greater reductions in bat fatalities than either strategy might achieve in isolation. To investigate the effectiveness of combining curtailment with ultrasonic deterrent minimization strategies, we deployed six ultrasonic deterrents at nacelle height on 16 experimental turbines at Avangrid Renewables’ Blue Creek Wind Energy Facility. We rotated between four conditions (normal operations, curtailment only, deterrent only, curtailment and deterrent) randomly assigned to four wind turbines each night between 15 June and 3 October 2017. We found that bat mortality at wind turbines was independent of wind speed. The effectiveness of ultrasonic acoustic deterrents varied between high-frequency-calling species (eastern red bats) and low-frequency-calling species (hoary bats, silver-haired bats, and big brown bats). When deterrents were active, mortality was twice as high for eastern red bats compared to the control. Conversely, deterrents had a weak dampening effect on bat mortality for low-frequency species. We found no additive effects on mortality reduction for turbines operating both curtailment and deterrents compared to either approach in isolation. Our findings suggest that ultrasonic acoustic deterrents may not be effective for both high and low frequency echolocating bats. The increase in fatalities of eastern red bats is alarming and underscores the importance of considering site- and species-specific effects of minimization solutions.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗