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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 127 records · Page 7

A study of the structural-acoustic response and interior noise levels of fuselage structures

Models of both flat and curved fuselage panels were tested for their sound transmission characteristics. The effect of external air flow on transmission loss was simulated in a subsonic wind-tunnel. By numerically evaluating the known equations for field-incidence transmission loss of single-walled panels in a computer program, a comparison of the theory with the test results was made. As a further extension to aircraft fuselage simulation, equations for the field-incidence transmission loss of a double-walled panel were derived. Flow is shown to provide a small increase in transmission loss for a flat panel. Curvature is shown to increase transmission loss for low frequencies, while also providing a sharp decrease in transmission loss at the ring frequency of the cylindrical panel. The field-incidence transmission loss of a double-walled panel was found to be approximately twice that for a single-walled panel, with the addition of dips in the transmission loss at the air gap resonances and at the critical frequency of the internal panel.

Koval, L. R.↗

Helicopter internal noise control: Three case histories

Case histories are described in which measurable improvements in the cabin noise environments of the Bell 214B, 206B, and 222 were realized. These case histories trace the noise control efforts followed in each vehicle. Among the design approaches considered, the addition of a fluid pulsation damper in a hydraulic system and the installation of elastomeric engine mounts are highlighted. It is concluded that substantial weight savings result when the major interior noise sources are controlled by design, both in altering the noise producing mechanism and interrupting the sound transmission paths.

Edwards, B. D.↗

Coupling apparatus for ultrasonic medical diagnostic system

An apparatus for the ultrasonic scanning of a breast or other tissue is reported that contains a cavity for receiving the breast, a vacuum for drawing the breast into intimate contact with the walls of the cavity, and transducers coupled through a fluid to the cavity to transmit sound waves through the breast. Each transducer lies at the end of a tapered chamber which has flexible walls and which is filled with fluid, so that the transducer can be moved in a raster pattern while the chamber walls flex accordingly, with sound transmission always occurring through the fluid.

Frazer, R. E.↗

A wave-envelope of sound propagation in nonuniform circular ducts with compressible mean flows

An acoustic theory is developed to determine the sound transmission and attenuation through an infinite, hard-walled or lined circular duct carrying compressible, sheared, mean flows and having a variable cross section. The theory is applicable to large as well as small axial variations, as long as the mean flow does not separate. The technique is based on solving for the envelopes of the quasi-parallel acoustic modes that exist in the duct instead of solving for the actual wave, thereby reducing the computation time and the round-off error encountered in purely numerical techniques. The solution recovers the solution based on the method of multiple scales for slowly varying duct geometry. A computer program was developed based on the wave-envelope analysis for general mean flows. Results are presented for the reflection and transmission coefficients as well as the acoustic pressure distributions for a number of conditions: both straight and variable area ducts with and without liners and mean flows from very low to high subsonic speeds are considered.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗

Evaluation of two inflow control devices for flight simulation of fan noise using a JT15D engine

Two inflow control devices, (ICD's) one in-duct and the other external to the duct, were tested on a JT15D engine to determine their ability to remove inflow turbulence without altering the sound transmission to the far field. The objective of the program was to develop means of accurately simulating flight fan noise on ground static test stands. The results generally indicated that both the in-duct and external ICD's were effective in reducing the inflow turbulence and the fan blade passing frequency tone generated by the turbulence. The external ICD was essentially transparent to the propagating fan tone but the in-duct ICD caused attenuation under most conditions.

Jones, W. L.↗

Refraction of sound by a shear layer - Experimental assessment

An experimental study was conducted to determine the refraction angle and amplitude changes associated with sound transmission through a circular, open jet shear layer. Both on-axis and off-axis acoustic source locations were used. Source frequency varied from 1 kHz to 10 kHz while freestream Mach number varied from 0.1 to 0.4. The experimental results were compared with an existing refraction theory which was extended to account for off-axis source positions. A simple experiment was also conducted to assess the importance of turbulence scattering between 1 kHz and 25 kHz.

Schlinker, R. H.↗

Structural parameters that influence the noise reduction characteristics of typical general aviation materials

Effect of panel curvature and oblique angle of sound incidence on noise reduction characteristics of an aluminum panel are experimentally investigated. Panel curvature results show significant increase in stiffness with comparable decrease of sound transmission through the panel in the frequency region below the panel/cavity resonance frequency. Noise reduction data have been achieved for aluminum panels with clamped, bonded and riveted edge conditions. These edge conditions are shown to influence noise reduction characteristics of aluminum panels. Experimentally measured noise reduction characteristics of flat aluminum panels with uniaxial and biaxial in-plane stresses are presented and discussed. Results indicate important improvement in noise reduction of these panels in the frequency range below the fundamental panel/cavity resonance frequency.

Roskam, J.↗

Analytical prediction of the interior noise for cylindrical models of aircraft fuselages for prescribed exterior noise fields. Phase 1: Development and validation of preliminary analytical models

The basic theoretical work required to understand sound transmission into an enclosed space (that is, one closed by the transmitting structure) is developed for random pressure fields and for harmonic (tonal) excitation. The analysis is used to predict the noise reducton of unpressurized unstiffened cylinder, and also the interior response of the cylinder given a tonal (plane wave) excitation. Predictions and measurements are compared and the transmission is analyzed. In addition, results for tonal (harmonic) mechanical excitation are considered.

Pope, L. D.↗

Analytical prediction of the interior noise for cylindrical models of aircraft fuselages for prescribed exterior noise fields. Phase 2: Models for sidewall trim, stiffened structures and cabin acoustics with floor partition

An airplane interior noise prediction model is developed to determine the important parameters associated with sound transmission into the interiors of airplanes, and to identify apropriate noise control methods. Models for stiffened structures, and cabin acoustics with floor partition are developed. Validation studies are undertaken using three test articles: a ring stringer stiffened cylinder, an unstiffened cylinder with floor partition, and ring stringer stiffened cylinder with floor partition and sidewall trim. The noise reductions of the three test articles are computed using the heoretical models and compared to measured values. A statistical analysis of the comparison data indicates that there is no bias in the predictions although a substantial random error exists so that a discrepancy of more than five or six dB can be expected for about one out of three predictions.

Pope, L. D.↗

Experiments on structural control of sound transmitted through an elastic plate

Active control of sound transmission through an elastic plate has been experimentally studied. The control was applied directly to the plate by point force vibration inputs, and the error information and performance was measured in the radiated acoustic field by discrete microphones. Test cases were studied in which the error sensors were accelerometers mounted on the plate. A time-domain least-mean-squares adaptive algorithm was used as the basis of the control system design. The results showed an impressive increase in plate transmission loss over a wide range of frequencies with a maximum of two control shakers. The advantages of using error information derived from the radiated acoustic field rather than structural response is demonstrated. The mechanisms behind the efficiency of this control approach are discussed.

Fuller, C. R.↗

Active control of structurally-coupled sound fields in elastic cylinders by vibrational force inputs

Active control of structurally-coupled sound fields in elastic cylinders is analytically and experimentally studied. The primary (noise) field in the cylinder model is generated by the coupled dynamic response of the shell under loading by a single exterior acoustic source. Control of the interior sound field is achieved by applying vibrational force inputs directly to the shell wall. Action of the point controllers serve to increase the input impedance of select structural modes of the shell which are well-coupled to the interior acoustic cavity, thus substantially reducing sound transmission into the cavity. Spatially-averaged noise reductions in excess of 30 dB are demonstrated for acoustic resonant conditions within the cavity. Twin controller configurations are presented which demonstrate the ability to independently control orthogonal modes of the interior acoustic space. Benefits and drawbacks of this new methodology for noise control are discussed and clearly demonstrated.

Jones, J. D.↗

Prediction of interior noise due to random acoustic or turbulent boundary layer excitation using statistical energy analysis

The feasibility of predicting interior noise due to random acoustic or turbulent boundary layer excitation was investigated in experiments in which a statistical energy analysis model (VAPEPS) was used to analyze measurements of the acceleration response and sound transmission of flat aluminum, lucite, and graphite/epoxy plates exposed to random acoustic or turbulent boundary layer excitation. The noise reduction of the plate, when backed by a shallow cavity and excited by a turbulent boundary layer, was predicted using a simplified theory based on the assumption of adiabatic compression of the fluid in the cavity. The predicted plate acceleration response was used as input in the noise reduction prediction. Reasonable agreement was found between the predictions and the measured noise reduction in the frequency range 315-1000 Hz.

Grosveld, Ferdinand W.↗

Structural Acoustic Prediction and Interior Noise Control Technology

This report documents the results of Task 14, "Structural Acoustic Prediction and Interior Noise Control Technology". The task was to evaluate the performance of tuned foam elements (termed Smart Foam) both analytically and experimentally. Results taken from a three-dimensional finite element model of an active, tuned foam element are presented. Measurements of sound absorption and sound transmission loss were taken using the model. These results agree well with published data. Experimental performance data were taken in Boeing's Interior Noise Test Facility where 12 smart foam elements were applied to a 757 sidewall. Several configurations were tested. Noise reductions of 5-10 dB were achieved over the 200-800 Hz bandwidth of the controller. Accelerometers mounted on the panel provided a good reference for the controller. Configurations with far-field error microphones outperformed near-field cases.

Mathur, G. P.↗

Use of Otoacousticemission Phase Change to Evaluate Countermeasures for Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome

Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) is a human spaceflight risk recognized by NASA. Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) has been implicated as a root cause of many SANS signs and symptoms, yet there is no reliable noninvasive means of monitoring ICP. We have developed a noninvasive method of monitoring ICP change that exploits ear canal acoustic and otoacoustic emission (OAE) measurements. Changed ICP alters pressure in the inner ear, leading to changes in the tension and position of middle ear (ME) components; tension of these components determines the phase of the stimulus in the ear canal and the OAE response sound transmission back through the ME. The OAE method has been validated in several studies, including our own experiments as part of the NASA Fluid Shifts study. Systematic OAE phase changes demonstrating increased ME tension (an ICP indicator) are observed as posture is changed from seated to supine to head-down tilt (HDT). This effect can be substantially mitigated by lower body negative pressure (LBNP). The OAE technique has also been used on International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers, providing evidence that ICP in microgravity is similar to that seen on the ground in the supine position. The OAE method is also a rapid and noninvasive means of assessing the effectiveness of SANS countermeasures. Here we report results from two studies which used OAEs. In the most recent study (Venous Congestion Countermeasures - VCCM), three promising countermeasures [LBNP, an impedance threshold device (ITD), and veno-occlusive thigh cuffs (VTC)] were applied individually and in combination. In our previous ITD-only study, ITD was investigated for its ability to reduce ICP and cephalic venous congestion in supine and various HDT postures. Internal jugular vein (IJV) ultrasound showed a clear decongestive effect at all postures, however OAE data showed that ITD only caused a phase decrease (tension decrease) in HDT postures. In supine, ITD appeared to INCREASE tension. This paradox leads us to hypothesize that the OAE method is not accurately representing ICP changes with countermeasures (CM), which can alter ME tension through other means, such as ME pressure (MEP) changes. More generally, the exact mechanism for observed OAE response and stimulus phase shifts are not clearly understood, specifically with regard to the effects of MEP. The VCCM study examined the effects of externally-applied MEP on OAE recordings to document the relationship between these parameters. Analysis of these data provide new insights to these OAE mechanisms, in addition to results on CM effectiveness.

Kemp, D.↗

A research program to reduce interior noise in general aviation airplanes

Analytical and semi-empirical methods for determining the transmission of sound through isolated panels and predicting panel transmission loss are described. Test results presented include the influence of plate stiffness and mass and the effects of pressurization and vibration damping materials on sound transmission characteristics. Measured and predicted results are presented in tables and graphs.

Roskam, J.↗

Effects of wall admittance changes on duct transmission and radiation of sound.

This paper is concerned with the effect of changes in duct wall acoustic properties on the transmission of sound through ducts. Two special problems are considered. The first problem is that of a rectangular infinite-length duct with airflow and a single change in duct wall acoustic admittance. The second problem is that of an axisymmetric field in a finite circular duct without airflow and with an arbitrary number of duct wall acoustic admittance changes. Results for the first problem show the effect of wall admittance change and flow on the acoustic power transmission within the duct. Results for the second problem show the interactive effects of multiple duct liner sections on power radiated from a finite duct.

Lansing, D. L.↗