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At least 55 records · Page 3

En route noise levels from propfan test assessment airplane

The en route noise test was designed to characterize propagation of propfan noise from cruise altitudes to the ground. In-flight measurements of propfan source levels and directional patterns were made by a chase plane flying in formation with the propfan test assessment (PTA) airplane. Ground noise measurements were taken during repeated flights over a distributed microphone array. The microphone array on the ground was used to provide ensemble-averaged estimates of mean flyover noise levels, establish confidence limits for those means, and measure propagation-induced noise variability. Even for identical nominal cruise conditions, peak sound levels for individual overflights varied substantially about the average, particularly when overflights were performed on different days. Large day-to-day variations in peak level measurements appeared to be caused by large day-to-day differences in propagation conditions and tended to obscure small variations arising from operating conditions. A parametric evaluation of the sensitivity of this prediction method to weather measurement and source level uncertainties was also performed. In general, predictions showed good agreement with measurements. However, the method was unable to predict short-term variability of ensemble-averaged data within individual overflights. Although variations in absorption appear to be the dominant factor in variations of peak sound levels recorded on the ground, accurate predictions of those levels require that a complete description of operational conditions be taken into account. The comprehensive and integrated methods presented in this paper have adequately predicted ground-measured sound levels. On average, peak sound levels were predicted within 3 dB for each of the three different cruise conditions.

Garber, Donald P.↗

An exploratory survey of noise levels associated with a 100 kW wind turbine

During performance tests of a 125-foot diameter, 100 kW wind turbine at the NASA Plum Brook Station near Sandusky, Ohio, the opportunity arose to make exploratory noise measurements and results of those surveys are presented. The data include measurements as functions of distance from the turbine, and directivity angle, and cover a frequency range from 1 Hz to several kHz. Potential community impact is discussed in terms of A-weighted noise levels relative to background levels, and the infrasonic spectral content. Finally, the change in the sound power spectrum associated with a change in the rotor speed is described. The acoustic impact of this size wind turbine is judged to be minimal.

Balombin, J. R.↗

Tip-path-plane angle effects on rotor blade-vortex interaction noise levels and directivity

Acoustic data of a scale model BO-105 main rotor acquired in a large aeroacoustic wind tunnel are presented to investigate the parametric effects of rotor operating conditions on blade-vortex interaction (BVI) impulsive noise. Contours of a BVI noise metric are employed to quantify the effects of rotor advance ratio and tip-path-plane angle on BVI noise directivity and amplitude. Acoustic time history data are presented to illustrate the variations in impulsive characteristics. The directionality, noise levels and impulsive content of both advancing and retreating side BVI are shown to vary significantly with tip-path-plane angle and advance ratio over the range of low and moderate flight speeds considered.

Burley, Casey L.↗

Noise levels of operational helicopters of the OH-6 type designed to meet the LOH mission

Formulas relating overall sound pressure level (OASPL) to parameters such as horsepower required, tip speed, and thrust for main and tail rotors are presented for standard and quieted helicopters. Formulas relating OASPL to engine parameters such as horsepower output and percent power turbine rpm are presented for unmuffled and muffled engines. The linear scale was used in preference to any of the weighted scales because it resulted in more consistent agreement with the test data when the SPL is expressed in the usual parameters of tip speed, thrust generated and power required. It is recognized that the linear scale does not adequately reflect hearing response, and hence is not a good absolute measure for detection by humans. However, linear OASPL is believed to be useful as a relative means of comparing noise level variations of individual components in similar helicopters with reasonably modest design changes.

Wagner, R. A.↗

The prediction of en route noise levels for a DC-9 aircraft

En route noise for advanced propfan powered aircraft has become an issue of concern for the Federal Aviation Administration. The NASA Aircraft Noise Prediction Program (ANOPP) is used to demonstrate the source noise and propagation effects for an aircraft in level flight up to 35,000 feet altitude. One-third octave band spectra of the source noise, atmospheric absorption loss, and received noise are presented. The predicted maximum A-weighted sound pressure level is compared to measured data from the Aeronautical Research Institute of Sweden. ANOPP is shown to be an effective tool in evaluating the en route noise characteristics of a DC-9 aircraft.

Weir, Donald S.↗

Classification image weights and internal noise level estimation

For the linear discrimination of two stimuli in white Gaussian noise in the presence of internal noise, a method is described for estimating linear classification weights from the sum of noise images segregated by stimulus and response. The recommended method for combining the two response images for the same stimulus is to difference the average images. Weights are derived for combining images over stimuli and observers. Methods for estimating the level of internal noise are described with emphasis on the case of repeated presentations of the same noise sample. Simple tests for particular hypotheses about the weights are shown based on observer agreement with a noiseless version of the hypothesis.

Pattern Recognition, Visual/physiology↗

Interior noise levels of two propeller-driven light aircraft

The relationships between aircraft operating conditions and interior noise and the degree to which ground testing can be used in lieu of flight testing for performing interior noise research were studied. The results show that the noise inside light aircraft is strongly influenced by the rotational speed of the engine and propeller. Both the overall noise and low frequency spectra levels were observed to decrease with increasing high speed rpm operations during flight. This phenomenon and its significance is not presently understood. Comparison of spectra obtained in flight with spectra obtained on the ground suggests that identification of frequency components and relative amplitude of propeller and engine noise sources may be evaluated on stationary aircraft.

Catherines, J. J.↗

Cumulative annoyance due to multiple aircraft flyover with differing peak noise levels

A laboratory study in which 160 subjects judged the annoyance of 30 minute sessions of aircraft noise is described. Each session contained nine flyovers consisting of various combinations of three takeoff recordings of Boeing 727. The subjects were asked to judge their annoyance in the simulated living room environment of the laboratory and also to assess how annoyed they would be if they heard the noise in their home during the day, evening, and night periods. The standard deviation of the sound level did not improve the predictive ability of L sub eq (equivalent continuous sound level) which performed as well or better than other noise measured. Differences were found between the projected home responses for the day, evening, and nighttime periods. Time of day penalties derived from these results showed reasonable agreement with those currently used in community noise indices.

Shepherd, K. P.↗

Predicted airframe noise levels for certification flights

A correction is presented for a previously published inconsistency in predicted airframe noise values, which were based on approach velocities lower than those required for FAA certification. New figures are given for the following aircraft: DC-9-30, 727-200, A300-B2, L-1011, DC-10-10, and 747-200B. The new levels average 2.3 dB higher than those calculated for typical approach speeds.

Block, P. J. W.↗

The relative noise levels of parallel axis gear sets with various contact ratios and gear tooth forms

The real noise reduction benefits which may be obtained through the use of one gear tooth form as compared to another is an important design parameter for any geared system, especially for helicopters in which both weight and reliability are very important factors. This paper describes the design and testing of nine sets of gears which are as identical as possible except for their basic tooth geometry. Noise measurements were made at various combinations of load and speed for each gear set so that direct comparisons could be made. The resultant data was analyzed so that valid conclusions could be drawn and interpreted for design use.

Drago, Raymond J.↗

Estimating Noise Levels In An Enclosed Space

GEGS Acoustic Analysis Program (GAAP) developed to compute composite profile of noise in Spacelab module on basis of data on noise produced by equipment, data on locations of equipment, and equipment-operating schedules. Impetus for development of GAAP provided by noise that generated in Spacelab Module during SLS-1 mission because of concurrent operation of many pieces of experimental and subsystem equipment. Although originally intended specifically to help compute noise in Spacelab, also applicable to any region with multiple sources of noise. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Azzi, Elias↗

Effects of streamwise variations in noise levels and spectra on supersonic boundary-layer transition

Transition data for sharp cones in two quiet wind tunnels at Mach numbers 3.5 and 5.0 have been correlated in terms of noise parameters with data from several conventional wind tunnels and from the flight data for the AEDC transition cone. The noise parameters were developed to account for the large axial variations of the rms stream noise and the high frequency noise spectra that occurred in the quiet tunnels for some test conditions. The correlation results indicated transition in the quiet tunnels was dominated by the local stream noise that was incident on the cone boundary layer upstream of the neutral stability point. The correlation results also suggested that the energy in high frequency components of the quiet tunnel noise spectra had significant adverse effects on transition when the noise was incident on the boundary layer both upstream and downstream of the neutral stability point.

Chen, F.-J.↗

Detected noise levels guide radiometer design

A survey of component demands and design techniques for radiometers is presented. The design of a typical radiometer is traced from the antenna through the video and data-collection stages. Key design equations are given. An example is considered that shows how IF amplifier gain must be chosen to mask video noise. The influence of front-end losses on back-end design is studied.

Schuchardt, J. M.↗