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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 685 records · Page 38

Study of acoustic emission during mechanical tests of large flight weight tank structure

A PPO-insulated, flight-weight, subscale, aluminum tank was monitored for acoustic emissions during a proof test and during 100 cycles of environmental test simulating space flights. The use of a combination of frequency filtering and appropriate spatial filtering to reduce background noise was found to be sufficient to detect acoustic emission signals of relatively small intensity expected from subcritical crack growth in the structure. Several emission source locations were identified, including the one where a flaw was detected by post-test x-ray inspections. For most source locations, however, post-test inspections did not detect flaws; this was partially attributed to the higher sensitivity of the acoustic emission technique than any other currently available NDT method for detecting flaws. For these non-verifiable emission sources, a problem still remains in correctly interpreting observed emission signals.

Mccauley, B. O.↗

Nonlinear acoustic propagation in rectangular ducts

The method of multiple scales is used to obtain a second-order uniformly valid expansion for nonlinear acoustic wave propagation in a rectangular duct whose walls are treated with a nonlinear acoustic material. The wave propagation in the duct is characterized by the unsteady nonlinear Euler equations. The results show that nonlinear materials attenuate sound more than linear materials except at high acoustic frequencies. The nonlinear materials produce higher and combination tones which have higher attenuation rates than the fundamentals. Moreover, the attenuation rates of the fundamentals increase with increasing amplitude.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗

A comparison of acoustic and random vibration testing of spacecraft

Before selecting the most suitable testing technique in a particular case, it has to be considered which of the two methods duplicates better the distribution of vibration responses to be expected during the actual launch phase. An investigation is conducted of the case of a large, low density spacecraft launched by a vehicle which produces significant acoustic noise and transmits relatively little vibration through the mechanical path provided by the vehicle structure in the area of the spacecraft interface. Criteria for vibration-acoustic equivalence are discussed along with tests conducted with the Synchronous Meteorological Satellite, the Radio Astronomy Explorer, and the Orbiting Geophysical Spacecraft. The investigation indicates that the vibration test is generally a poor substitute for an acoustic study.-

Bangs, W. F.↗

Investigation of acoustic radiation from supersonic turbulent jets by double-pulse holographic interferometry

A new experimental method was used to optically investigate the acoustic field radiated from supersonic jets. The method utilizes a pulse ruby laser to obtain double exposure holograms of the sound field of a supersonic jet. The jet remains on during both exposures thus eliminating the no-flow exposure. The time separation between the pulses can be varied depending on the spectral component of the radiation to be observed. Optical records were obtained for supersonic jets with exit Mach number 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0. It was found that high frequency acoustic radiation mainly originates from the regions near the nozzle exit, whereas the low frequency noise is generated from regions further downstream. These findings are consistent with the acoustic data obtained by other investigators.

Ozkul, A.↗

Evaluation of acoustic emission technique for crack growth measurement in aeronautical structures

An investigation has been conducted concerning the possibility to use the acoustic emission technique for the measurement of fatigue crack growth in aluminum alloy specimens. Two types of aluminum alloys were tested in the investigation. It was found that the acoustic emission technique provides a reliable indication of changes in the crack dimensions over relatively short periods of time. The level of acoustic activity serves as an indicator of the size of the cracks.

Singh, J. J.↗

Aerodynamic and acoustic performance of ejectors for engine-under-the-wing concepts

Subsonic thrust augmentation, exhaust plume velocity contours and acoustic characteristics of a small-scale, 6-tube mixer nozzle with ejector were obtained with and without a wing. Thrust augmentation up to 30 percent was achieved. Aerodynamic results showed that at a given location, greater downstream velocities are obtained with an ejector than with the baseline nozzle. Ejectors reduce high frequency noise; however, low-frequency noise amplification also occurs. Acoustic reflections off the wing increase the noise level to a ground observer. With an ejector, the acoustic benefits of forward velocity may be significantly reduced compared with the baseline nozzle.

Von Glahn, U.↗

Non-linear wave propagation in acoustically lined circular ducts

An analysis is presented of the nonlinear effects of the gas motion as well as of the acoustic lining material on the transmission and attenuation of sound in a circular duct with a uniform cross-section and no mean flow. The acoustic material is characterized by an empirical, nonlinear impedance in which the instantaneous resistance is a nonlinear function of both the frequency and the acoustic velocity. The results show that there exist frequency bandwidths around the resonant frequencies in which the nonlinearity decreases the attenuation rate, and outside which the nonlinearity increases the attenuation rate, in qualitative agreement with experimental observations. Moreover, the effect of the gas nonlinearity increases with increasing sound frequency, whereas the effect of the material nonlinearity decreases with increasing sound frequency.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗

Acoustically controlled integrated laser for communications systems

Acoustic wave creates fringes by producing periodic stresses in substrate and in film. Laser carrier frequency is then changed by simply changing acoustical frequency. When two acoustical sources are applied off beam axis, beam can be scanned at very rapid rates.

Elachi, C.↗

Acoustic attenuation analysis program for ducts with mean flow

A computerized acoustic attenuation prediction procedure has been developed to evaluate acoustically lined ducts for various geometric and environmental parameters. The analysis procedure is based on solutions to the acoustic wave equation, assuming uniform airflow on a duct cross section, combined with appropriate mathematical lining impedance models. The impedance models included in the analysis procedure are representative of either perforated sheet or porous polyimide impregnated fiberglass facing sheet coupled with a cellular backing space. Advantages and limitations of the analysis procedure are reviewed.

Kunze, R. K., Jr.↗

Acoustic and aerodynamic performance of a 1.83 meter (6 foot) diameter 1.2 pressure ratio fan (QF-6)

A 1.2-pressure-ratio, 1.83-meter-(6-ft-) diameter experimental fan stage with characteristics suitable for use in STOL aircraft engines was tested for acoustic and aerodynamic performance. The design incorporated features for low noise, including absence of inlet guide vanes, low rotor-blade-tip speed, low aerodynamic blade loading, and long axial spacing between the rotor and stator rows. The stage was run with four nozzles of different area. The perceived noise along a 152.4 meter (500-ft) sideline was rear-quadrant dominated with a maximum design-point level of 103.9 PNdb. The acoustic 1/3-octave results were analytically separated into broadband and pure-tone components. It was found that the stage noise levels generally increase with a decrease in nozzle area, with this increase observed primarily in the broadband noise component. A stall condition was documented acoustically with a 90-percent-of-design-area nozzle.

Woodward, R. P.↗

Acoustical characteristics of the NASA Langley full scale wind tunnel test section

The full-scale wind tunnel at NASA-Langley Research Center was designed for low-speed aerodynamic testing of aircraft. Sound absorbing treatment has been added to the ceiling and walls of the tunnel test section to create a more anechoic condition for taking acoustical measurements during aerodynamic tests. The results of an experimental investigation of the present acoustical characteristics of the tunnel test section are presented. The experimental program included measurements of ambient nosie levels existing during various tunnel operating conditions, investigation of the sound field produced by an omnidirectional source, and determination of sound field decay rates for impulsive noise excitation. A comparison of the current results with previous measurements shows that the added sound treatment has improved the acoustical condition of the tunnel test section. An analysis of the data indicate that sound reflections from the tunnel ground-board platform could create difficulties in the interpretation of actual test results.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

High-temperature earth-storable propellant acoustic cavity technology

Design criteria, methods and data, were developed to permit effective design of acoustic cavities for use in regeneratively cooled OME-type engines. This information was developed experimentally from two series of motor firings with high-temperature fuel during which the engine stability was evaluated under various conditions and with various cavity configurations. Supplementary analyses and acoustic model testing were used to aid cavity design and interpretation of results. Results from this program clearly indicate that dynamic stability in regeneratively cooled OME-type engines can be ensured through the use of acoustic cavities. Moreover, multiple modes of instability were successfully suppressed with the cavity.

Oberg, C. L.↗

Titanium honeycomb acoustic lining structural and thermal test report

The results are presented of static, fatigue and thermal testing of titanium honeycomb acoustic panels representing the acoustic tailpipe for the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft JT8D Refan engine which is being studied for use on the Boeing 727-200 airplane. Test specimens represented the engine and tailpipe flange joints, the rail to which the thrust reverser is attached and shear specimens of the tailpipe honeycomb. Specimens were made in four different batches with variations in configuration, materials and processes in each. Static strength of all test specimens exceeded the design ultimate load requirements. Fatigue test results confirmed that aluminum brazed titanium, as used in the Refan tailpipe design, meets the fatigue durability objectives. Quality of welding was found to be critical to life, with substandard welding failing prematurely, whereas welding within the process specification exceeded the panel skin life. Initial fatigue testing used short grip length bolts which failed prematurely. These were replaced with longer bolts and subsequent testing demonstrated the required life. Thermal tests indicate that perforated skin acoustic honeycomb has approximately twice the heat transfer of solid skin honeycomb.

Joynes, D.↗

NASTRAN modeling and analysis of rigid and flexible walled acoustic cavities

The acoustic slot elements, CSLOTi, are applied to analyze two-dimensional enclosures with fixed or moving boundaries. The capability utilized to compute (a) the acoustic natural modes and frequencies of a rigid walled enclosure and (b) the sound pressure at any point inside an enclosure when the surrounding walls are forced to vibrate. Applications to an automobile passenger compartment illustrate the technique. The axisymmetric fluid elements, CFLUIDi, are used in conjunction with a suitable choice of symmetry planes and a model of the surrounding structure to approximate a two-dimensional enclosure with flexible walls. The enclosure walls are modeled using finite elements or structural modes. Illustrative examples include a comparison of rectangular cavity modes with those calculated using the acoustic slot element and the free vibration modes of two enclosures coupled through a flexible rectangular panel.

Wolf, J. A., Jr.↗

Summary of recent design studies of advanced acoustic-composite nacelles

The results are summarized of recent NASA-sponsored studies of advanced acoustic-composite nacelles. Conceptual nacelle designs for current wide-bodied transports and for advanced technology transports, intended for operational use in the mid-1980's, were studied by Lockheed-California Company and the Douglas Aircraft Company. These studies were conducted with the objective of achieving significant reductions in community noise and/or fuel consumption with minimum penalties in airplane weights, cost, and operating expense. The results indicate that the use of advanced composite materials offer significant potential weight and cost savings and result in reduced fuel consumption and noise when applied to nacelles. The most promising concept for realizing all of these benefits was a long duct, mixed flow acoustic composite nacelle with advanced acoustic liners.

Norton, H. T., Jr.↗

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.↗

Measurements of mean flow and acoustic power for a subsonic jet impinging normal to a large rigid surface

An experimental study was made to measure the mean flow field and acoustic power of a subsonic jet impinging normal to a large rigid surface. A 6.25 cm diameter, circular cool air jet was used at heights of 20, 10, and 5 jet diameters above the surface. The jet exit Mach number was varied from 0.28 to 0.93. Impact and static pressure surveys were made in directions both axial and lateral to the jet axis and also parallel and perpendicular to the surface. Acoustic power was calculated from microphone measurements made during each test run using a diffuse field calibration for the test facility. Results indicate that the flow field for jet impingement is characterized mainly by a strong rise in static pressure in the impingement region near the surface and by boundary layer development in the wall jet region. Acoustic power measurements generally followed a U(8) law for both the free jet and jet impingement although there was some variation especially at high Mach number and for close impingement distances. Overall noise levels increased with decreasing jet-to-surface height. Normalized power spectra correlated well for all cases when the Strouhal number was greater than 0.2; the correlation was poor when the Strouhal number was low.

Schloth, A. P.↗

Acoustic and aerodynamic performance of a 1.83-meter (6-ft) diameter 1.25-pressure-ratio fan (QF-8)

A 1.25-pressure-ratio 1.83-meter (6-ft) tip diameter experimental fan stage with characteristics suitable for engine application on STOL aircraft was tested for acoustic and aerodynamic performance. The design incorporated proven features for low noise, including absence of inlet guide vanes, low rotor blade tip speed, low aerodynamic blade loading, and long axial spacing between the rotor and stator blade rows. The fan was operated with five exhaust nozzle areas. The stage noise levels generally increased with a decrease in nozzle area. Separation of the acoustic one-third octave results into broadband and pure-tone components showed the broadband noise to be greater than the corresponding pure-tone components. The sideline perceived noise was highest in the rear quadrants. The acoustic results of QF-8 were compared with those of two similar STOL application fans in the test series. The QF-8 had somewhat higher relative noise levels than those of the other two fans. The aerodynamic results of QF-8 and the other two fans were compared with corresponding results from 50.8-cm (20-in.) diam scale models of these fans and design values. Although the results for the full-scale and scale models of the other two fans were in reasonable agreement for each design, the full-scale fan QF-8 results showed poor performance compared with corresponding model results and design expectations. Facility effects of the full-scale fan QF-8 installation were considered in analyzing this discrepancy.

Woodward, R. P.↗