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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 145 records · Page 8

An experimental investigation of reducing advanced turboprop cabin noise by wing shielding

An experimental investigation was undertaken to determine if wing shielding could reduce the noise impacting the fuselage of an advanced turboprop airplane. Four wings were tested behind two eight-bladed propeller models. Significant shielding of the propeller noise was observed and a particular wing-propeller geometry was identified to provide the most shielding. Specifically, an up-inboard rotation would be needed for a low-wing airplane and a down-inboard rotation for a high-wing airplane. As the axial Mach number was increased, the position where the shielding starts moved farther downstream. This shift in the start of shielding was roughly a straight line with respect to Mach number between M = 0.7 and M = 0.8. At M = 0.85 the start of shielding does not shift any farther downstream. A simple barrier noise-reduction model gave the same trends with transducer positions as did the data, and, if corrected for Mach number shift, the model might be used to provide estimates of the wing shielding. Besides providing a barrier to the noise reaching the shielded area, the wing also reflects some of the noise back onto the unshielded area. This can make the noise difference between the unshielded and shielded areas of the fuselage larger than would be expected by simple wind shielding.

Dittmar, J. H.↗

Analysis of noise measured from a propeller in a wake

In this experimental study, the acoustic characteristics of a propeller operating in a wake were studied. The propeller performance and noise were measured from two 0.25 scale propellers operating in an open jet anechoic flow environment with and without a wake. One propeller had NACA 16 series sections; the other, ARA-D. Wake thicknesses of 1 and 3 propeller chords were generated by an airfoil which spanned the full diameter of the propeller. The airfoil wake profiles were measured. Noise measurements were made in and out of the flow. The propellers were operated at 40, 83, and 100 inf of thrust. The acoustic data are analyzed, and the effects on the overall sound pressure level (OASPL) and scaled A weighted sound level L sub A with propeller thrust, wake thickness, and observer location are presented. The analysis showed that, generally, the wake increased the overall noise (OASPL) produced by the propeller; increased the harmonic content of the noise, thus the scaled L sub a; and produced an azimuthal dependence. With few exceptions, both propellers generally produced the same trends in delta OASPL and delta L sub a with thrust and wake thickness.

Block, P. J. W.↗

Prediction of the noise from a propeller at angle of attack

An analysis is presented to predict the noise of a propeller at angle of attack. The analysis is an extension of that reported by Mani which predicted the change in noise due to angle of attack to both unsteady loading and to azimuthal variation of the radiation efficiency of steady noise sources. Mani's analysis, however, was limited to small angles of attack. The analysis reported herein removes this small angle limitation. Results from the analysis are compared with the data of Woodward for a single rotation propeller and a counter rotating propeller. The comparison shows that including the effect of angle of attack on the steady noise sources significantly improves the agreement with data. Including higher order effects of angle of attack, while changing the predicted noise at far forward and aft angles, has little effect near the propeller plane.

Krejsa, Eugene A.↗

Prediction of the noise from a propeller at angle of attack

An analysis is presented to predict the noise of a propeller at angle of attack. The analysis is an extension of that reported by Mani (1990) which predicted the change in noise due to angle of attack due to both unsteady loading and to azimuthal variation of the radiation efficiency of steady noise sources. Mani's analysis, however, was limited to small angles of attack. The analysis reported herein removes this small angle limitation. Results from the analysis are compared with the data of Woodward (1987, 1988), for a single rotation propeller and for a counter rotating propeller. The comparison shows that including the effect of angle of attack on the steady noise sources significantly improves the agreement with data. Including higher order effects of angle of attack, while changing the predicted noise at far forward and aft angles, has little effect near the propeller plane.

Krejsa, Eugene A.↗

Laboratory study of the effects of sidewall treatment, source directivity and temperature on the interior noise of a light aircraft fuselage

This paper describes a laboratory study of add-on {coustic treatments for a twin-engine, propeller-driven aircraft fuselage. The sound source was a pneumatic-driver, with attached horn to simulate propeller noise distribution, powered by a white noise signal. Treatments included a double-wall, production-line treatment and various fiberglass and lead-vinyl treatments. Insertion losses, space-averaged across six interior microphone positions, were used to evaluate the treatments. In addition, the effects of sound source angle and ambient temperature on interior sound pressure level are presented. The sound source angle is shown to have a significant effect on one-third octave band localized sound pressure level. While changes in ambient temperature are shown to have little effect on one-third octave band localized sound pressure level, the change in narrowband localized sound pressure level may be dramatic.

Heitman, K. E.↗

Noise transmission and attenuation by stiffened panels

An analytical study of noise transmission into semi-cylindrical and rectangular acoustic enclosures due to turbulent boundary layer pressure and propeller noise (prop-fan) is presented. The structural noise transmission models include a single panel, discretely stiffened elastic panel and stiffened viscoelastic sandwich panel. Response characteristics of the stiffened panels are evaluated using a transfer matrix procedure. The interior noise field is determined by a Galerkin-like method. The effect on interior noise due to aerodynamic surface flow, cavity back-up pressure, pressurization, mass, stiffness, and damping addition to the structure is investigated. It is shown that stiffened viscoelastic sandwich panels, while providing the same stiffening benefits as an equivalent elastic panel, could significantly reduce vibration levels and subsequently give similar benefits for interior noise control.

Vaicaitis, R.↗

Fan and Open-Rotor Noise

This presentation is a technical progress report and near term outlook for work on fan (in-duct) and open-rotor (high speed propeller) noise funded by NASA's Fundamental Aeronautics Program, Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW) Project and the Integrated Systems Research Program, Environmentally Responsible Aircraft Project. Sections of the presentation cover: the system level metrics are outlined for the SFW timeframes (2015, 2020 1 2025); the Ultra-High Bypass ratio technology development roadmap; a feasibility study for a low technology readiness level fan test rig; the development plan for a turbomachinery oriented computational aero-acoustics code; and systems analysis work on open-rotor modeling.

Miller, Christopher J.↗

High-Speed Propeller for Aircraft

Engine efficiency increased. Propeller blades required to be quite thin and highly swept to minimize compressibility losses and propeller noise during high-speed cruise. Use of 8 or 10 blades with highpropeller-power loading allows overall propeller diameter to be kept relatively small. Area-ruled spinner and integrated nacelle shape reduce compressibility losses in propeller hub region. Finally, large modern turboshaft engine and gearbox provide power to advanced propeller. Fuel savings of 30 to 50 percent over present systems anticipated. Propfan system adaptable to number of applications, such as highspeed (subsonic) business and general-aviation aircraft, and military aircraft including V/STOL.

Sagerser, D. A.↗

Effect of tactile vibration on annoyance to synthesized propfan noise

Design information that maximizes passenger comfort for propfan aircraft is presented. Predicted noise and vibration environments and the resultant passenger acceptability were studied. The effect of high frequency tactile vibration (i.e., greater than 30 Hz) on passenger reactions was analyzed. Passenger reactions to a wide range of noise with and without tactile vibration was studied. The passenger ride quality simulator was employed using subjects who evaluated either synthesized propeller noises only, or these noises combined with seat/arm vibration. The noises ranging from 80-100 dB consisted of a turbulent boundary layer noise with a factorial combination of five blade passage frequencies (50-200 Hz), two harmonic rolloffs, and three tone/noise ratios. It is indicated that passenger reaction (annoyance) to noise is not significantly changed in the presence of tactile vibration.

Clevenson, S. A.↗

Experiments on reduction of propeller induced interior noise by active control of cylinder vibration

The feasibility of reducing interior noise caused by advanced turbo propellers by controlling the vibration of aircraft fuselages was investigated by performing experiments in an anechoic chamber with an aircraft model test rig and apparatus. It was found that active vibration control provides reasonable global attenuation of interior noise levels for the cases of resonant (at 576 Hz) and forced (at 708 Hz) system response. The controlling mechanism behind the effect is structural-acoustic coupling between the shell and the contained field, termed interface modal filtering.

Fuller, C. R.↗

Some calculated effects of non-uniform inflow on the radiated noise of a large wind turbine

Far field computations were performed for a large wind turbine to evaluate the effects of non-uniform aerodynamic loading over the rotor disk. A modified version of the Farassat/Nystrom propeller noise prediction program was applied to account for the variations in loading due to inflow interruption by the upstream support tower. The computations indicate that for the uniform inflow case, relatively low noise levels are generated and the first rotational harmonic dominated the spectrum. For cases representing wake flow deficiences due to the tower structure, subtantially increased noise levels for all harmonics are indicated, the greatest increases being associated with the higher order harmonics.

Greene, G. C.↗

Aircraft noise prediction program propeller analysis system IBM-PC version user's manual version 2.0

The IBM-PC version of the Aircraft Noise Prediction Program (ANOPP) Propeller Analysis System (PAS) is a set of computational programs for predicting the aerodynamics, performance, and noise of propellers. The ANOPP-PAS is a subset of a larger version of ANOPP which can be executed on CDC or VAX computers. This manual provides a description of the IBM-PC version of the ANOPP-PAS and its prediction capabilities, and instructions on how to use the system on an IBM-XT or IBM-AT personal computer. Sections within the manual document installation, system design, ANOPP-PAS usage, data entry preprocessors, and ANOPP-PAS functional modules and procedures. Appendices to the manual include a glossary of ANOPP terms and information on error diagnostics and recovery techniques.

Nolan, Sandra K.↗

Propeller aircraft interior noise model utilization study and validation

Utilization and validation of a computer program designed for aircraft interior noise prediction is considered. The program, entitled PAIN (an acronym for Propeller Aircraft Interior Noise), permits (in theory) predictions of sound levels inside propeller driven aircraft arising from sidewall transmission. The objective of the work reported was to determine the practicality of making predictions for various airplanes and the extent of the program's capabilities. The ultimate purpose was to discern the quality of predictions for tonal levels inside an aircraft occurring at the propeller blade passage frequency and its harmonics. The effort involved three tasks: (1) program validation through comparisons of predictions with scale-model test results; (2) development of utilization schemes for large (full scale) fuselages; and (3) validation through comparisons of predictions with measurements taken in flight tests on a turboprop aircraft. Findings should enable future users of the program to efficiently undertake and correctly interpret predictions.

Pope, L. D.↗

An acoustic sensitivity study of general aviation propellers

This paper describes the results of a study in which a systematic approach has been taken in studying the effect of selected propeller parameters on the character and magnitude of propeller noise. Four general aviation aircraft were chosen, i.e., a Cessna 172, Cessna 210, Cessna 441, and a 19 passenger commuter concept, to provide a range in flight velocity, engine horsepower, and gross weight. The propeller parameters selected for examination consisted of number of blades, rpm reduction, thickness/chord reduction, activity factor reduction, proplets, airfoil improvement, sweep, position of maximum blade loading, and diameter reduction.

Korkan, K. D.↗

Propeller tone bursts

Intense high frequency (25-38 kHz) tone bursts have been observed in acoustic tests of a scale model of a general aviation propeller. The amplitude of the tone burst is approximately equal to the amplitude of the propeller noise signature. The conditions necessary for the production of these tone bursts are described. The experiments indicate that the origin of these bursts is a periodic flow oscillation on the suction surface of the propeller blade tips which may be due to the interaction between an oscillating shock wave and a laminar boundary layer.

Succi, G. P.↗

A theoretical investigation of noise reduction through the cylindrical fuselage of a twin-engine, propeller-driven aircraft

Interior noise in the fuselage of a twin-engine, propeller-driven aircraft with two propellers rotating in opposite directions is studied analytically. The fuselage was modeled as a stiffened cylindrical shell with simply supported ends, and the effects of stringers and frames were averaged over the shell surface. An approximate mathematical model of the propeller noise excitation was formulated which includes some of the propeller noise characteristics such as sweeping pressure waves around the sidewalls due to propeller rotation and the localized nature of the excitation with the highest levels near the propeller plane. Results are presented in the form of noise reduction, which is the difference between the levels of external and interior noise. The influence of propeller noise characteristics on the noise reduction was studied. The results indicate that the sweep velocity of the excitation around the fuselage sidewalls is critical to noise reduction.

Bhat, R. B.↗

Reducing the Noise Impact of Small Aircraft through Indirect Trajectory Optimization

This research examined the feasibility of incorporating an acoustic metric into the optimization of an aircraft trajectory to reduce the noise experienced by an observer. The method investigated a perturbed path of an unmanned aerial system with specified boundary conditions on position and velocity while maintaining a nominal flight speed. An acoustic model based on Gutin’s work was developed to estimate propeller noise as a function of flight parameters, propulsion characteristics, and spatial location. A trajectory was then optimized a priori to reduce the noise experienced by an observer. Multiple simulations were performed and results showed that integrating an acoustic metric into the path planning process could be used to reduce the noise impact on an observer with no perturbation to the nominal flight speed.

Matthew B Galles↗