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At least 19 records

Measurement of acoustic shielding by a turbulent jet

The acoustic shielding properties of a turbulent jet have been investigated experimentally. The experimental arrangement consisted of an acoustic point source and a turbulent shielding jet. The source and jet parameters investigated include the source frequency, source spectrum, jet velocity, jet medium and the lateral and longitudinal source positions with respect to the shielding jet. It is found that the acoustic shielding of jet flow is power conserving and the acoustic refraction, diffraction and reflection are the main mechanisms controlling the measured noise field. The balance between refraction and diffraction gives rise to a saturation of shielding with frequency in the shadow zone of the source. Comparison with predicted shielding from an idealized cylindrical non-decaying jet model indicates that the spreading and decay of the jet flow are important. Comparisons between the present data trends and those reported for jet-by-jet shielding suggest that the major effects observed in the latter are acoustical.

Yu, J. C.↗

Effect of a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise

The effect of a semi-annular acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise is investigated with the rationale that such a configuration would reduce or eliminate the multiple reflection mechanism. A limited range of flow conditions for one nozzle/shield configuration were studied at model scale. Noise measurements for a 10 cm conical nozzle with a semi-annular acoustical shield are presented in terms of lossless free field data at various angular locations with respect to the nozzle. Measurements were made on both the shielded and unshielded sides of the nozzle. Model scale overall sound pressure level directivity patterns and comparisons of model scale spectral data are provided. The results show that a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield consisting of a low velocity, high temperature gas stream partially surrounding a central jet exhibits lower noise levels than when the central jet is operated alone. The results are presented parametrically, showing the effects of various shield and central system velocities and temperatures.

Goodykoontz, J.↗

Free jet feasibility study of a thermal acoustic shield concept for AST/VCE application: Single stream nozzles

A technology base for the thermal acoustic shield concept as a noise suppression device for single stream exhaust nozzles was developed. Acoustic data for 314 test points for 9 scale model nozzle configurations were obtained. Five of these configurations employed an unsuppressed annular plug core jet and the remaining four nozzles employed a 32 chute suppressor core nozzle. Influence of simulated flight and selected geometric and aerodynamic flow variables on the acoustic behavior of the thermal acoustic shield was determined. Laser velocimeter and aerodynamic measurements were employed to yield valuable diagnostic information regarding the flow field characteristics of these nozzles. An existing theoretical aeroacoustic prediction method was modified to predict the acoustic characteristics of partial thermal acoustic shields.

Majjigi, R. K.↗

Measurement of acoustic shielding by a turbulent jet

The acoustic shielding properties of a turbulent jet have been investigated experimentally. The experimental arrangement consisted of an acoustic point source and a turbulent shielding jet. The source and jet parameters investigated include the source frequency, source spectrum, jet velocity, jet heating by simulation and the lateral and longitudinal source positions with respect to the shielding jet. It is found that the maximum sound attenuation provided by the shielding jet depends on the balance between refraction and diffraction. Over the frequency range investigated, the redistribution of sound by the shielding air jet is power conserving. Comparison between measurement and prediction based on an idealized cylindrical uniform jet model indicates that the spreading and decay of the flow field in real jets are important. Comparisons between the present data trends and those reported for jet-by-jet shielding suggest that the major effects observed in the latter are acoustical rather than aerodynamical.

Yu, J. C.↗

Effect of a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise

Reductions in jet exhaust noise obtained by the use of an annular thermal acoustic shield consisting of a high temperature, low velocity gas stream surrounding a high velocity central jet exhaust appear to be limited by multiple reflections. The effect of a semi-annular shield on jet exhaust noise was investigted with the rationale that such a configuration would eliminate or reduce the multiple reflection mechanism. Noise measurements for a 10 cm conical nozzle with a semi-annular acoustic shield are presented in terms of lossless free field data at various angular locations with respect to the nozzle. Measurements were made on both the shielded and unshielded sides of the nozzle. The results are presented parametrically, showing the effects of various shield and central system velocities and temperatures. Selected results are scaled up to a typical full scale engine size to determine the perceived noise level reductions.

Goodykoontz, J.↗

Free jet feasibility study of a thermal acoustic shield concept for AST/VCE application-dual flow. Comprehensive data report. Volume 1: Test nozzles and acoustic data

Acoustic and diagnostic data that were obtained to determine the influence of selected geometric and aerodynamic flow variables of coannular nozzles with thermal acoustic shields are summarized in this comprehensive data report. A total of 136 static and simulated flight acoustic test points were conducted with 9 scale-model nozzles The tested nozzles included baseline (unshielded), 180 deg shielded, and 360 deg shielded dual flow coannular plug configurations. The baseline configurations include a high radius ratio unsuppressed coannular plug nozzle and a coanuular plug nozzle and a coannular plug nozzle with a 20-chute outer stream suppressor. The tests were conducted at nozzle temperatures and pressure typical of operating conditions of variable cycle engine.

Janardan, B. A.↗

Accuracy of the Kirchoff formula in determining acoustic shielding with the use of a flat plate

It has been suggested that if jet engines of aircraft were placed at above the wing instead of below it, the wing would provide a partial shielding of the noise generated by the engines relative to observers on the ground. The shielding effects of an idealized three-dimensional barrier in the presence of an idealized engine noise source was predicted by the Kirchoff formula. Based on the good agreement between experimental measurements and the numerical results of the current study, it was concluded that the Kirchoff approximation provides a good qualitative estimate of the acoustic shielding of a point source by a rectangular flat plate for measurements taken in the far field of the flat plate at frequencies ranging from 1 kHz to 20 kHz. At frequencies greater than 4 kHz the Kirchoff approximation provides accurate quantitative predictions of acoustic shielding.

Gabrielsen, R. E.↗

Free-jet feasibility study of a thermal acoustic shield concept for AST/VCE application-dual stream nozzles. Comprehensive data report. Volume 2: Laser velocimeter and suppressor. Base pressure data

Acoustic and diagnostic data that were obtained to determine the influence of selected geometric and aerodynamic flow variables of coannular nozzles with thermal acoustic shields are summarized in this comprehensive data report. A total of 136 static and simulated flight acoustic test points were conducted with 9 scale-model nozzles. Aerodynamic laser velocimeter measurements were made for four selected plumes. In addition, static pressure data in the chute base region of the suppressor configurations were obtained to assess the influence of the shield stream on the suppressor base drag.

Janardan, B. A.↗

Assessment of Mixer-Ejector Nozzle with Thermal Acoustic Shield for Jet Noise Reduction

A tendency for excessive exhaust jet mixing noise from low bypass ratio turbofan engines is recognized as a key challenge in the design of commercial supersonic aircraft. In this work we investigate a unique combination of two noise mitigation methods as a novel strategy to reduce jet mixing noise. First, a thermal acoustic shield (TAS) is used to reflect high frequency acoustic waves at small angles to the jet axis; second, a mixer-ejector (ME) nozzle is used to mechanically shield noise propagating at large angles to the axis. The ME shroud also provides a convenient location for a TAS nozzle and improves TAS effectiveness by limiting the downstream extent of high frequency noise generation. In an additional benefit for a velocity-matched TAS stream, the ME allows a reduction in strength of the TAS outer shear layer which could serve as a secondary noise source. The present work provides a quantitative assessment of the ME-TAS concept, using a combination of RANS CFD simulations, acoustic analogy calculations for the farfield Green's function, and surrogate-based modeling and parameter space exploration. We first evaluate a subscale configuration, then use scaling arguments to apply subscale results to the systems-level analysis of a flight configuration; the latter configuration includes a generic low bypass ratio turbofan engine with an engine-driven electric generator for supplementary heating of the TAS stream. Additional RANS CFD calculations are performed for a notional ME-TAS geometry based on the full scale configuration, and various modeling assumptions and operational characteristics are evaluated. The ME-TAS concept is shown to provide effective shielding for high frequency jet noise, and should enable comparable noise suppression to a stand-alone ME of considerably greater length, weight and drag. In addition to investigating the integrated ME-TAS system, the present work differs from previous research into TAS and related fluidic shield concepts through the inclusion of modern numerical analysis tools and the systematic numerical examination of various design parameters.

thermal acoustic shield↗

Acoustically shielded exhaust system for high thrust jet engines

A flade exhaust nozzle for a high thrust jet engine is configured to form an acoustic shield around the core engine exhaust flowstream while supplementing engine thrust during all flight conditions, particularly during takeoff. The flade airflow is converted from an annular 360.degree. flowstream to an arcuate flowstream extending around the lower half of the core engine exhaust flowstream so as to suppress exhaust noise directed at the surrounding community.

Carey, John P.↗

Acoustic Shielding for a Model Scale Counter-rotation Open Rotor

The noise shielding benefit of installing an open rotor above a simplified wing or tail is explored experimentally. The test results provide both a benchmark data set for validating shielding prediction tools and an opportunity for a system level evaluation of the noise reduction potential of propulsion noise shielding by an airframe component. A short barrier near the open rotor was found to provide up to 8.5 dB of attenuation at some directivity angles, with tonal sound particularly well shielded. Predictions from two simple shielding theories were found to overestimate the shielding benefit.

Acoustics shielding↗

Assessment of jets as acoustic shields by comparison of single- and multitube suppressor nozzle data

Recent 1/4 scale and engine size nozzle acoustic data, for both 37-tube and single nozzles, were used to test the jet-shielding principle. At low jet velocities the multitube nozzle total sound power approaches the equivalent of 37 single tubes (no shielding), while near-sonic and above, the small equivalent number of single tubes compares well with a geometric model of lateral radiation from only about a third of the circumference of the outer jets (nearly complete shielding). At high jet velocities, the geometric shielding hypothesis is in excellent agreement with acoustic data from which the downstream coalesced jet noise is excluded. Present results are compared with an existing correlation for single jets, and with previous publications on multijet shielding.

Gray, V. H.↗

Assessment of jets as acoustic shields by comparison of single- and multitube suppressor nozzle data

Recent 1/4 scale and engine size nozzle acoustic data, for both 37-tube and single nozzles, are used to test the jet-shielding principle. At low jet velocities the multitube nozzle total sound power approaches the equivalent of 37 single tubes (no shielding), while near-sonic and above, the small equivalent number of single tubes compares well with a geometric model of lateral radiation from only about a third of the circumference of the outer jets (nearly complete shielding). At high jet velocities, the geometric shielding hypothesis is in excellent agreement with acoustic data from which the downstream coalesced jet-noise is excluded. Present results are compared with an existing correlation for single jets, and with previous publications on multijet shielding.

Gray, V. H.↗

Design of an Acoustic Shielding Flap Concept with Prediction and Validation

As part of a NATO task group, NASA has designed a noise reduction technology called a Shielding Flap for application to a hybrid wing body aircraft concept. The design drivers and objectives for this technology are outlined in this paper. Design parameters are defined, and recently-developed NASA software for prediction of acoustic scattering is used to investigate the expected performance of the technology for a range of parameter values. Detailed scattering computational results are presented for several simulated noise sources and for many variations of the shielding flap concept. A selection of computational results is compared with experimental data collected in the NASA Langley Quiet Flow Facility. Overall, the results indicate that the Shielding Flap has strong potential to reduce aft-radiated noise, which was a primary design objective, by shielding sound from the simulated sources while also shielding sound that is scattered from the main airframe.

Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustics↗

Free jet feasibility study of a thermal acoustic shield concept for AST/VCE application: Dual stream nozzles

The influence of selected geometric and aerodynamic flow variables of an unsuppressed coannular plug nozzle and a coannular plug nozzle with a 20-chute outer stream suppressor were experimentally determined. A total of 136 static and simulated flight acoustic test points were conducted with 9 scale model nozzles. Also, aerodynamic measurements of four selected plumes were made with a laser velocimeter. The presence of the 180 deg shield produced different mixing characteristics on the shield side compared to the unshield side because of the reduced mixing with ambient air on the shielded side. This resulted in a stretching of the jet, yielding a higher peak mean velocity up to a length of 10 equivalent diameters from the nozzle exit. The 180 deg shield in community orientation around the suppressed coannular plug nozzle yielded acoustic benefit at all observer angles for a simulated takeoff. While the effect of shield-to-outer stream velocity ratio was small at angles up to 120 deg, beyond this angle significant acoustic benefit was realized with a shield-to-outer stream velocity ratio of 0.64.

Janardan, B. A.↗

Investigation of Acoustical Shielding by a Wedge-Shaped Airframe

Experiments on a scale model of an advanced unconventional subsonic transport concept, the Blended Wing Body (BWB), have demonstrated significant shielding of inlet-radiated noise. A computational model of the shielding mechanism has been developed using a combination of boundary integral equation method (BIEM) and equivalent source method (ESM). The computation models the incident sound from a point source in a nacelle and determines the scattered sound field. In this way the sound fields with and without the airfoil can be estimated for comparison to experiment. An experimental test bed using a simplified wedge-shape airfoil and a broadband point noise source in a simulated nacelle has been developed for the purposes of verifying the analytical model and also to study the effect of engine nacelle placement on shielding. The experimental study is conducted in the Anechoic Noise Research Facility at NASA Langley Research Center. The analytic and experimental results are compared at 6300 and 8000 Hz. These frequencies correspond to approximately 150 Hz on the full scale aircraft. Comparison between the experimental and analytic results is quite good, not only for the noise scattering by the airframe, but also for the total sound pressure in the far field. Many of the details of the sound field that the analytic model predicts are seen or indicated in the experiment, within the spatial resolution limitations of the experiment. Changing nacelle location produces comparable changes in noise shielding contours evaluated analytically and experimentally. Future work in the project will be enhancement of the analytic model to extend the analysis to higher frequencies corresponding to the blade passage frequency of the high bypass ratio ducted fan engines that are expected to power the BWB.

Gerhold, Carl H.↗