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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 505 records · Page 28

Investigating the Numerical Stability of Using an Impedance Boundary Condition to Model Broadband Noise Scattering With Acoustic Liners

Reducing aircraft noise is a major objective in the field of computational aeroacoustics. When designing next generation quiet aircraft, it is important to be able to accurately and efficiently predict the acoustic scattering by an aircraft body from a given noise source. Acoustic liners are an effective tool for achieving aircraft noise reduction and are characterized by a frequency-dependent impedance value. Converted into the time-domain using Fourier transforms, an impedance boundary condition can be used to simulate the acoustic wave scattering by geometric bodies treated with acoustic liners. A Broadband Impedance Model will be discussed in which the liner impedance is specified along a wide range of frequencies. The liner impedance boundary condition will be derived and coupled with a time-domain boundary integral equation to model acoustic scattering by a flat plate consisting of both un-lined and lined surfaces. The scattering solution will be obtained iteratively using both spatial and temporal basis functions and the stability will be demonstrated through eigenvalue analysis. Stability will be assessed for its dependence on time step, spatial discretization, as well as temporal basis function order. Both second- and third-order Lagrange temporal basis functions are considered.

acoustics↗

Investigating the Numerical Stability of Using an Impedance Boundary Condition to Model Broadband Noise Scattering With Acoustic Liners

Reducing aircraft noise is a major objective in the field of computational aeroacoustics. When designing next generation quiet aircraft, it is important to be able to accurately and efficiently predict the acoustic scattering by an aircraft body from a given noise source. Acoustic liners are an effective tool for achieving aircraft noise reduction and are characterized by a frequency-dependent impedance value. Converted into the time-domain using Fourier transforms, an impedance boundary condition can be used to simulate the acoustic wave scattering by geometric bodies treated with acoustic liners. A Broadband Impedance Model will be discussed in which the liner impedance is specified along a wide range of frequencies. The liner impedance boundary condition will be derived and coupled with a time-domain boundary integral equation to model acoustic scattering by a flat plate consisting of both un-lined and lined surfaces. The scattering solution will be obtained iteratively using both spatial and temporal basis functions and the stability will be demonstrated through eigenvalue analysis. Stability will be assessed for its dependence on time step, spatial discretization, as well as temporal basis function order. Both second- and third-order Lagrange temporal basis functions are considered.

acoustics↗

Simulation of Sound Absorption by Scattering Bodies Treated with Acoustic Liners Using a Time-Domain Boundary Element Method

Reducing aircraft noise is a major objective in the field of computational aeroacoustics. When designing next generation quiet aircraft, it is important to be able to accurately and efficiently predict the acoustic scattering by an aircraft body from a given noise source. Acoustic liners are an effective tool for aircraft noise reduction, and are characterized by a complex valued frequency-dependent impedance, Z(w). Converted into the time-domain using Fourier transforms, an impedance boundary condition can be used to simulate the acoustic wave scattering of geometric bodies treated with acoustic liners. This work uses an admittance boundary condition where the admittance, Y(w), is defined to be the inverse of impedance, i.e., Y(w) = 1/Z(w). An admittance boundary condition will be derived and coupled with a time domain boundary integral equation. The solution will be obtained iteratively using spatial and temporal basis functions and will allow for acoustic scattering problems to be modeled with geometries consisting of both unlined and soft surfaces. Stability will be demonstrated through eigenvalue analysis.

Pizzo, Michelle E.↗

Vehicular sources in acoustic propagation experiments

One of the most important uses of acoustic propagation models lies in the area of detection and tracking of vehicles. Propagation models are used to compute transmission losses in performance prediction models and to analyze the results of past experiments. Vehicles can also provide the means for cost effective experiments to measure acoustic propagation conditions over significant ranges. In order to properly correlate the information provided by the experimental data and the propagation models, the following issues must be taken into consideration: the phenomenology of the vehicle noise sources must be understood and characterized; the vehicle's location or 'ground truth' must be accurately reproduced and synchronized with the acoustic data; and sufficient meteorological data must be collected to support the requirements of the propagation models. The experimental procedures and instrumentation needed to carry out propagation experiments are discussed. Illustrative results are presented for two cases. First, a helicopter was used to measure propagation losses at a range of 1 to 10 Km. Second, a heavy diesel-powered vehicle was used to measure propagation losses in the 300 to 2200 m range.

Prado, Gervasio↗

Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustics and Aircraft System Noise Flight Research Test: NASA Overview

Motivations and the formulation of the objectives are described for an ambitious flight research test conducted in collaboration between NASA and The Boeing Company. The Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustics and Aircraft System Noise Flight Research Test was executed by the Boeing ecoDemonstrator Program with an Etihad Airways Boeing 787-10 aircraft. Five key technical approaches are described that were used to accomplish the more unconventional and challenging objectives of the research. In addition to the modern technology of the 787, these include evaluating multiple acoustic shielding and reflection effects using both the wing and fuselage in straight flight and banking flight paths, hardwalling the aft duct liner, and utilizing an extensive instrumentation array both on the ground and on the aircraft. The research level version of NASA’s aircraft system noise prediction capability including a new acoustic scattering method were used to confirm the technical approaches and provide guidance for the detailed design of instrumentation and flight test plans. Initial comparisons are shown of flight test data to predictions using the research level of NASA’s Aircraft Noise Prediction Program. Significant prediction challenges are revealed when compared to these high-quality data, while major progress is shown both in the measurement and the prediction of propulsion airframe aeroacoustic effects in flight. This comparison marks the first rigorous validation with modern flight test data and establishes a basis to further understand and quantify the state of NASA’s current capability and to develop improvements in the fidelity of aircraft system noise predictions. The context of multiple coordinated companion research papers is described as well as future plans for the continued analysis of this flight research data.

Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustics↗

Advanced Computational and Experimental Techniques for Nacelle Liner Performance Evaluation

The Curved Duct Test Rig (CDTR) has been developed to investigate sound propagation through a duct of size comparable to the aft bypass duct of typical aircraft engines. The axial dimension of the bypass duct is often curved and this geometric characteristic is captured in the CDTR. The semiannular bypass duct is simulated by a rectangular test section in which the height corresponds to the circumferential dimension and the width corresponds to the radial dimension. The liner samples are perforate over honeycomb core and are installed on the side walls of the test section. The top and bottom surfaces of the test section are acoustically rigid to simulate a hard wall bifurcation or pylon. A unique feature of the CDTR is the control system that generates sound incident on the liner test section in specific modes. Uniform air flow, at ambient temperature and flow speed Mach 0.275, is introduced through the duct. Experiments to investigate configuration effects such as curvature along the flow path on the acoustic performance of a sample liner are performed in the CDTR and reported in this paper. Combinations of treated and acoustically rigid side walls are investigated. The scattering of modes of the incident wave, both by the curvature and by the asymmetry of wall treatment, is demonstrated in the experimental results. The effect that mode scattering has on total acoustic effectiveness of the liner treatment is also shown. Comparisons of measured liner attenuation with numerical results predicted by an analytic model based on the parabolic approximation to the convected Helmholtz equation are reported. The spectra of attenuation produced by the analytic model are similar to experimental results for both walls treated, straight and curved flow path, with plane wave and higher order modes incident. The numerical model is used to define the optimized resistance and reactance of a liner that significantly improves liner attenuation in the frequency range 1900-2400 Hz. A liner impedance descriptor is used to determine the liner parameters that achieve the optimum impedance.

Gerhold, Carl H.↗

Acoustic Streaming and Heat and Mass Transfer Enhancement

A second order effect associated with high intensity sound field, acoustic streaming has been historically investigated to gain a fundamental understanding of its controlling mechanisms and to apply it to practical aspects of heat and mass transfer enhancement. The objectives of this new research project are to utilize a unique experimental technique implementing ultrasonic standing waves in closed cavities to study the details of the generation of the steady-state convective streaming flows and of their interaction with the boundary of ultrasonically levitated near-spherical solid objects. The goals are to further extend the existing theoretical studies of streaming flows and sample interactions to higher streaming Reynolds number values, for larger sample size relative to the wavelength, and for a Prandtl and Nusselt numbers parameter range characteristic of both gaseous and liquid host media. Experimental studies will be conducted in support to the theoretical developments, and the crucial impact of microgravity will be to allow the neglect of natural thermal buoyancy. The direct application to heat and mass transfer in the absence of gravity will be emphasized in order to investigate a space-based experiment, but both existing and novel ground-based scientific and technological relevance will also be pursued.

Trinh, E. H.↗

Investigation of the level difference between sound pressure and sound intensity in an aircraft cabin under different fuselage conditions

Problems in using two-microphone sound-intensity (SI) measurements to measure structural transmission losses are investigated in experiments involving light-aircraft fuselage panels and windows. Both sound pressure (SP) and SI are measured near the passenger and door windows and panels of a single-engine aircraft and with these barriers removed, and the effect of increasing interior acoustic absorption and blocking flanking transmission paths is also tested. The results are presented graphically, and the SP measurements are used to indicate frequency ranges in which the two-microphone technique significantly underestimates SI. It is inferred that flanking paths and interior reverberation must be effectively suppressed in order to obtain accurate transmission-loss measurements.

Atwal, M. S.↗

Sound propagation in and radiation from acoustically lined flow ducts: A comparison of experiment and theory

The results of an experimental and theoretical study of many of the fundamental details of sound propagation in hard wall and soft wall annular flow ducts are reported. The theory of sound propagation along such ducts and the theory for determining the complex radiation impedance of higher order modes of an annulus are outlined, and methods for generating acoustic duct modes are developed. The results of a detailed measurement program on propagation in rigid wall annular ducts with and without airflow through the duct are presented. Techniques are described for measuring cut-on frequencies, modal phase speed, and radial and annular mode shapes. The effects of flow velocity on cut-on frequencies and phase speed are measured. Comparisons are made with theoretical predictions for all of the effects studies. The two microphone method of impedance is used to measure the effects of flow on acoustic liners. A numerical study of sound propagation in annular ducts with one or both walls acoustically lined is presented.

Plumblee, H. E., Jr.↗

An experimental study of the effect of treated length on fan inlet noise suppressors

The effect of length of acoustic treatment was studied on a full scale fan using two different inlets. Analysis of the data revealed that measured suppression varied linearly with the length of the ringed liner segments as anticipated. Further analysis indicated that the wall only portion of the treatment was substantially more effective than anticipated, suggesting that, if only moderate suppression is needed, wall only treatment may suffice. The two inlets behaved similarly. Introduction of a hard exhaust splitter into the configuration resulted in a noise increase at certain frequencies.

Dittmar, J. H.↗

An experimental study of the effect of treated length on fan inlet noise suppressors

An experimental study of the effect of length of acoustic treatment was performed on a full scale fan using two different inlets. Analysis of the data revealed that measured suppression varied linearly with the length of the ringed linear segments as anticipated. Further analysis indicated that the wall only portion of the treatment was substantially more effective than anticipated suggesting that, if only moderate suppression is needed, wall only treatment may suffice. Contrary to expectation the two inlets behaved similarly. Introduction of a hard exhaust splitter into the configuration resulted in a noise increase at certain frequencies.

Dittmar, J. H.↗

The experimental determination of atmospheric absorption from aircraft acoustic flight tests

A method for determining atmospheric absorption coefficients from acoustic flight test data is presented. Measurements from five series of acoustic flight tests were included in the study. The number of individual flights totaled 24: six Boeing 707 flights performed in May 1969 in connection with the turbofan nacelle modification program, eight flights from Boeing tests conducted during the same period, and 10 flights of the Boeing 747 airplane. The effects of errors in acoustic, meteorological, and aircraft performance and position measurements are discussed. Tabular data of the estimated sample variance of the data for each test are given for source directivity angles from 75 deg to 120 deg and each 1/3-octave frequency band. Graphic comparisons are made of absorption coefficients derived from ARP 866, using atmospheric profile data, with absorption coefficients determined by the experimental method described in the report.

Miller, R. L.↗

Quantitative flaw characterization with scanning laser acoustic microscopy

Surface roughness and diffraction are two factors that have been observed to affect the accuracy of flaw characterization with scanning laser acoustic microscopy. In accuracies can arise when the surface of the test sample is acoustically rough. It is shown that, in this case, Snell's law is no longer valid for determining the direction of sound propagation within the sample. The relationship between the direction of sound propagation within the sample, the apparent flaw depth, and the sample's surface roughness is investigated. Diffraction effects can mask the acoustic images of minute flaws and make it difficult to establish their size, depth, and other characteristics. It is shown that for Fraunhofer diffraction conditions the acoustic image of a subsurface defect corresponds to a two-dimensional Fourier transform. Transforms based on simulated flaws are used to infer the size and shape of the actual flaw.

Generazio, E. R.↗

Quantitative flaw characterization with scanning laser acoustic microscopy

Surface roughness and diffraction are two factors that have been observed to affect the accuracy of flaw characterization with scanning laser acoustic microscopy. Inaccuracies can arise when the surface of the test sample is acoustically rough. It is shown that, in this case, Snell's law is no longer valid for determining the direction of sound propagation within the sample. The relationship between the direction of sound propagation within the sample, the apparent flaw depth, and the sample's surface roughness is investigated. Diffraction effects can mask the acoustic images of minute flaws and make it difficult to establish their size, depth, and other characteristics. It is shown that for Fraunhofer diffraction conditions the acoustic image of a subsurface defect corresponds to a two-dimensional Fourier transform. Transforms based on simulated flaws are used to infer the size and shape of the actual flaw.

Generazio, E. R.↗

Comparison of the acoustic characteristics of large-scale models of several propulsive-lift concepts

Wind-tunnel acoustic investigations were performed to determine the acoustic characteristics and the effect of forward speed on the over-the-wing externally blown jet flap (OTW), the under-the-wing externally blown jet flap (UTW), the internally blown jet flap (IBF), and the augmentor wing (AW). The data presented represent the basic noise generated by the powered-lift system without acoustic treatment, assuming all other noise sources, such as the turbofan compressor noise, have been suppressed. Under these conditions, when scaled to a 100,000-lb aircraft, the OTW concept exhibited the lowest perceived noise levels, because of dominant low-frequency noise and wing shielding of the high-frequency noise. The AW was the loudest configuration, because of dominant high-frequency noise created by the high jet velocities and small nozzle dimensions. All four configurations emitted noise 10 to 15 PNdB higher than the noise goal of 95 PNdB at 500 ft.

Falarski, M. D.↗

Ground Based Studies of Thermocapillary Flows in Levitated Drops: Analytical Part

The main objectives of the analytical part of this investigation are to study the fluid flow phenomena together with the thermal effects on drops levitated in an acoustic field. To a large extent, experimentation on ground requires a strong acoustic field that has a significant interference with other thermal-fluid effects. While most of the work has been directed towards particles in strong acoustic fields to overcome gravity, some results for microgravity have been obtained. One of the objectives was to obtain the thermocapillary flow in a spot-heated drop, and set up a model for the prediction of thermophysical properties. In addition, for acoustically levitated particles, a clear understanding of the underlying fluid mechanics was required. Also, the interaction of acoustics with steady and pulsating thermal stimuli was required to be analyzed. The experimental part of the work was funded through JPL, and has been reported separately.

Sadhal, S. S.↗

Experimentation Toward the Analysis of Gear Noise Sources Controlled by Sliding Friction and Surface Roughness

In helicopters and other rotorcraft, the gearbox is a major source of noise and vibration (N&V). The two N&V excitation mechanisms are the relative displacements between mating gears (transmission errors) and the friction associated with sliding between gear teeth. Historically, transmission errors have been minimized via improved manufacturing accuracies and tooth modifications. Yet, at high torque loads, noise levels are still relatively high though transmission errors might be somewhat minimal. This suggests that sliding friction is indeed a dominant noise source for high power density rotorcraft gearboxes. In reality, friction source mechanism is associated with surface roughness, lubrication regime properties, time-varying friction forces/torques and gear-mesh interface dynamics. Currently, the nature of these mechanisms is not well understood, while there is a definite need for analytical tools that incorporate sliding resistance and surface roughness, and predict their effects on the vibro- acoustic behavior of gears. Toward this end, an experiment was conducted to collect sound and vibration data on the NASA Glenn Gear-Noise Rig. Three iterations of the experiment were accomplished: Iteration 1 tested a baseline set of gears to establish a benchmark. Iteration 2 used a gear-set with low surface asperities to reduce the sliding friction excitation. Iteration 3 incorporated low viscosity oil with the baseline set of gears to examine the effect of lubrication. The results from this experiment will contribute to a two year project in collaboration with the Ohio State University to develop the necessary mathematical and computer models for analyzing geared systems and explain key physical phenomena seen in experiments. Given the importance of sliding friction in the gear dynamic and vibro-acoustic behavior of rotorcraft gearboxes, there is considerable potential for research & developmental activities. Better models and understanding will lead to quiet and reliable gear designs, as well as the selection of optimal manufacturing processes.

Asnani, Vivake M.↗