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At least 127 records · Page 7

HHC study in the DNW to reduce BVI noise - An analysis

The noise of an aeroelastically scaled helicopter rotor has been studied in the German-Dutch wind tunnel in order to assess the utility of higher-harmonic control (HHC) in reducing blade-vortex interaction (BVI) noise. Acoustic data are presented for 3/rev, 4/rev, and 5/rev HHC, as applied to a typical landing approach rotor operating condition; noise reduction of up to 6 dB were found for advancing-blade BVI noise radiating upstream of the rotor, as well as for retreating blade BVI noise radiating below and downstream of the rotor.

Brooks, Thomas F.↗

Directional acoustic measurements by laser Doppler velocimeters

Laser Doppler velocimeters (LDVs) were used as velocity microphones to measure sound pressure level in the range of 90-130 db, spectral components, and two-point cross correlation functions for acoustic noise source identification. Close agreement between LDV and microphone data is observed. It was concluded that directional sensitivity and the ability to measure remotely make LDVs useful tools for acoustic measurement where placement of any physical probe is difficult or undesirable, as in the diagnosis of jet aircraft noise.

Mazumder, M. K.↗

Improving Fidelity of Launch Vehicle Liftoff Acoustic Simulations

Launch vehicles experience high acoustic loads during ignition and liftoff affected by the interaction of rocket plume generated acoustic waves with launch pad structures. Application of highly parallelized Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis tools optimized for application on the NAS computer systems such as the Loci/CHEM program now enable simulation of time-accurate, turbulent, multi-species plume formation and interaction with launch pad geometry and capture the generation of acoustic noise at the source regions in the plume shear layers and impingement regions. These CFD solvers are robust in capturing the acoustic fluctuations, but they are too dissipative to accurately resolve the propagation of the acoustic waves throughout the launch environment domain along the vehicle. A hybrid Computational Fluid Dynamics and Computational Aero-Acoustics (CFD/CAA) modeling framework has been developed to improve such liftoff acoustic environment predictions. The framework combines the existing highly-scalable NASA production CFD code, Loci/CHEM, with a high-order accurate discontinuous Galerkin (DG) solver, Loci/THRUST, developed in the same computational framework. Loci/THRUST employs a low dissipation, high-order, unstructured DG method to accurately propagate acoustic waves away from the source regions across large distances. The DG solver is currently capable of solving up to 4th order solutions for non-linear, conservative acoustic field propagation. Higher order boundary conditions are implemented to accurately model the reflection and refraction of acoustic waves on launch pad components. The DG solver accepts generalized unstructured meshes, enabling efficient application of common mesh generation tools for CHEM and THRUST simulations. The DG solution is coupled with the CFD solution at interface boundaries placed near the CFD acoustic source regions. Both simulations are executed simultaneously with coordinated boundary condition data exchange.

Liever, Peter↗

Computational simulation of acoustic fatigue for hot composite structures

This paper presents predictive methods/codes for computational simulation of acoustic fatigue resistance of hot composite structures subjected to acoustic excitation emanating from an adjacent vibrating component. Select codes developed over the past two decades at the NASA Lewis Research Center are used. The codes include computation of (1) acoustic noise generated from a vibrating component, (2) degradation in material properties of the composite laminate at use temperature, (3) dynamic response of acoustically excited hot multilayered composite structure, (4) degradation in the first-ply strength of the excited structure due to acoustic loading, and (5) acoustic fatigue resistance of the excited structure, including propulsion environment. Effects of the laminate lay-up and environment on the acoustic fatigue life are evaluated. The results show that, by keeping the angled plies on the outer surface of the laminate, a substantial increase in the acoustic fatigue life is obtained. The effect of environment (temperature and moisure) is to relieve the residual stresses leading to an increase in the acoustic fatigue life of the excited panel.

Singhal, S. N.↗

Acoustic Measurements of Small Solid Rocket Motor

Rocket acoustic noise can induce loads and vibration on the vehicle as well as the surrounding structures. Models have been developed to predict these acoustic loads based on scaling existing solid rocket motor data. The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center acoustics team has measured several small solid rocket motors (thrust below 150,000 lbf) to anchor prediction models. This data will provide NASA the capability to predict the acoustic environments and consequent vibro-acoustic response of larger rockets (thrust above 1,000,000 lbf) such as those planned for the NASA Constellation program. This paper presents the methods used to measure acoustic data during the static firing of small solid rocket motors and the trends found in the data.

Vargas, Magda B.↗

Acoustic analysis of aft noise reduction techniques measured on a subsonic tip speed 50.8 cm (twenty inch) diameter fan

Sound data which were obtained during tests of a 50.8 cm diameter, subsonic tip speed, low pressure ratio fan were analyzed. The test matrix was divided into two major investigations: (1) source noise reduction techniques; and (2) aft duct noise reduction with acoustic treatment. Source noise reduction techniques were investigated which include minimizing second harmonic noise by varying vane/blade ratio, variation in spacing, and lowering the Mach number through the vane row to lower fan broadband noise. Treatment in the aft duct which includes flow noise effects, faceplate porosity, rotor OGV treatment, slant cell treatment, and splitter simulation with variable depth on the outer wall and constant thickness treatment on the inner wall was investigated. Variable boundary conditions such as variation in treatment panel thickness and orientation, and mixed porosity combined with variable thickness were examined. Significant results are reported.

Stimpert, D. L.↗

Consecutive plate acoustic suppressor apparatus and methods

An apparatus and method for suppressing acoustic noise utilizes consecutive plates, closely spaced to each other so as to exploit dissipation associated with sound propagation in narrow channels to optimize the acoustic resistance at a liner surface. The closely spaced plates can be utilized as high temperature structural materials for jet engines by constructing the plates from composite materials. Geometries of the plates, such as plate depth, shape, thickness, inter-plate spacing, arrangement, etc., can be selected to achieve bulk material-like behavior.

Doychak, Joseph↗

Consecutive Plate Acoustic Suppressor Apparatus and Methods

An apparatus and method for suppressing acoustic noise utilizes consecutive plates, closely spaced to each other so as to exploit dissipation associated with sound propagation in narrow channels to optimize the acoustic resistance at a liner surface. The closely spaced plates can be utilized as high temperature structural materials for jet engines by constructing the plates from composite materials. Geometries of the plates, such as plate depth, shape, thickness, inter-plate spacing, arrangement, etc., can be selected to achieve bulk material-like behavior.

Doychak, Joseph↗

Effect of higher harmonic control on helicopter rotor blade-vortex interaction noise: Prediction and initial validation

The paper presents a status of theoretical tools of AFDD, DLR, NASA and ONERA for prediction of the effect of HHC on helicopter main rotor BVI noise. Aeroacoustic predictions from the four research centers, concerning a wind tunnel simulation of a typical descent flight case without and with HHC are presented and compared. The results include blade deformation, geometry of interacting vortices, sectional loads and noise. Acoustic predictions are compared to experimental data. An analysis of the results provides a first insight of the mechanisms by which HHC may affect BVI noise.

Beaumier, P.↗

Acoustical properties of a model rotor in nonaxial flight

Wind tunnel measurements on model rotor blade loads and acoustical noise were correlated to a theoretical formulation of the rotational noise of a rotor in non-axial flight. Good correlation between theory and data was achieved using actual measured rotor blade pressure harmonic decay levels and lift, drag and radial force magnitudes. Both pressure and acoustic data exhibited considerable scatter in hover and low speed forward flight which resulted in a fairly wide latitude in the noise level prediction at higher harmonics.

Hinterkeuser, E. G.↗

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.↗

En route noise: NASA propfan test aircraft (corrected data - simplified procedure)

Surface noise measurements were made during a joint National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) program to study the high-altitude, low-frequency acoustic noise propagation characteristics of the Advanced Turboprop (propfan) Aircraft. The measurements were made on October 26-31, 1987 in Huntsville, Alabama and on April 3-13, 1989 at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico. To effectively compare flight-to-flight data as received on the ground, the procedures and practices of Federal Air Regulation (FAR) Part 36 were used as a guide in adjusting the measured ground data at the time of LA(sub MAX) to a set of reference conditions. After the data for each event were processed using slow detector characteristics, the data record at LA(sub MAX) was then identified and the coordinates of the aircraft at the time of emission were calculated, taking into account atmospheric refraction effects. The effects of atmospheric absorption through the test day and reference day atmosphere were also taken into account and the 1/3-octave data were adjusted accordingly.

Rickley, E. J.↗

Towards a Comprehensive Model of Jet Noise Using an Acoustic Analogy and Steady RANS Solutions

An acoustic analogy is developed to predict the noise from jet flows. It contains two source models that independently predict the noise from turbulence and shock wave shear layer interactions. The acoustic analogy is based on the Euler equations and separates the sources from propagation. Propagation effects are taken into account by calculating the vector Green's function of the linearized Euler equations. The sources are modeled following the work of Tam and Auriault, Morris and Boluriaan, and Morris and Miller. A statistical model of the two-point cross-correlation of the velocity fluctuations is used to describe the turbulence. The acoustic analogy attempts to take into account the correct scaling of the sources for a wide range of nozzle pressure and temperature ratios. It does not make assumptions regarding fine- or large-scale turbulent noise sources, self- or shear-noise, or convective amplification. The acoustic analogy is partially informed by three-dimensional steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solutions that include the nozzle geometry. The predictions are compared with experiments of jets operating subsonically through supersonically and at unheated and heated temperatures. Predictions generally capture the scaling of both mixing noise and BBSAN for the conditions examined, but some discrepancies remain that are due to the accuracy of the steady RANS turbulence model closure, the equivalent sources, and the use of a simplified vector Green's function solver of the linearized Euler equations.

Miller, Steven A. E.↗

Ion beams and the ion/ion acoustic instability upstream from the earth's bow shock

This paper considers the generation of enhanced ion acoustic fluctuations by field-aligned ion beams upstream from the earth's bow shock. Steep slopes in the beam distribution parallel and possibly strongly oblique to the magnetic field are correlated with bursts of ion acoustic noise in the upstream region. Linear theory shows that it is the slope of the beam distribution at oblique angles to the magnetic field that determines the growth rate of the ion/ion acoustic instability. Because of instrumentation limitations, it is suggested but not confirmed that enhanced ion acoustic fluctuations in the upstream region and in the presence of field-aligned beams are driven by such steep-sided distributions.

Fuselier, S. A.↗

Predictive Feedback and Feedforward Control for Systems with Unknown Disturbances

Predictive feedback control has been successfully used in the regulation of plate vibrations when no reference signal is available for feedforward control. However, if a reference signal is available it may be used to enhance regulation by incorporating a feedforward path in the feedback controller. Such a controller is known as a hybrid controller. This paper presents the theory and implementation of the hybrid controller for general linear systems, in particular for structural vibration induced by acoustic noise. The generalized predictive control is extended to include a feedforward path in the multi-input multi-output case and implemented on a single-input single-output test plant to achieve plate vibration regulation. There are cases in acoustic-induce vibration where the disturbance signal is not available to be used by the hybrid controller, but a disturbance model is available. In this case the disturbance model may be used in the feedback controller to enhance performance. In practice, however, neither the disturbance signal nor the disturbance model is available. This paper presents the theory of identifying and incorporating the noise model into the feedback controller. Implementations are performed on a test plant and regulation improvements over the case where no noise model is used are demonstrated.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

An Annoyance Model for Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Noise in the Presence of a Masker

Proposed Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations offer an alternative to road and rail traffic for local and regional movement of people and goods. To allow for large-scale adoption of UAM vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, it is critical to predict human annoyance response to the acoustic noise generated by these vehicles. We propose a model that predicts an individual’s perceived level of annoyance when presented with UAM VTOL aircraft noise in the context of a representative masking noise. The annoyance model is based on the psychoacoustic annoyance model of Fastl and Zwicker (Zwicker and Fastl, 1999), with an additional tonality term based on subjective testing of UAM sound quality (Boucher, et al., 2023). The model also predicts changes in annoyance when UAM noise is masked by a background sound, based on subjective evaluation of detection, noticeability, and annoyance of noise in the presence of a masker.

Noise↗

Smart Structures for Vibration Control on Long-Term Space Exploration and Habitation Missions

The current vision for space exploration focuses on human missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. To support these goals, it is certain that new vehicles and intermediate bases will be developed, whether that means simply re-direction of the ISS as a "mission research facility" or construction of a lunar base. Since these facilities are expected to be constructed from inherently light-weight materials, this work examines some of the potential sources of vibration and noise as well as means for controlling these vibrations. Many of the operating components within these facilities, such as pumps, fans, and motors, will produce vibrations during operation. These vibrations become structure in which they are housed. Resonances can impact acoustic noise levels and noise quality within the environment, possibly affecting crew health and productivity. For long-term missions in particular, it is expected that crew members will spend significant portions of their time restrained in the structure, such as in seats. As a result, the general health and well-being of the crew can be improved by limiting the harmful effects of human exposure to long-term audible and tactile vibration input. Besides the human factor, this work also examines some operational considerations in which vibrations play an important role. Vibrations can impact the environment for science and in-situ manufacturing research within these vehicles. Since a benign vibratory environment is beneficial for most types of science experiments, there is a need for various forms of vibration control. Because the operational characteristics of a vehicle can change during a long-term mission, it is further expected that the characteristics of many of the vibratory excitations will change with time. Consequently, the form of vibration control needed to improve overall habitability and usefulness of the vehicle or element for exploration missions will rely to some degree on the vibration control system's ability to adapt. To address these needs, this work also examines the development and use of smart materials to tune the dynamic characteristics of the structure in a passive sense. One prime example is the use of an adaptive electrical shunt connected to a piezoelectric patch in order to provide tuned passive vibration damping. The work also examines the use of active vibration control, such as by applying power to that same piezoelectric patch. The overall goal is to examine the use of smart structures that can react to the environment thereby improving the overall living, working, and learning environment for these long-term missions.

Gattis, Christy B.↗