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At least 19 records

Propulsion Noise Reduction Concepts and Progress

Reducing aircraft noise emissions is an important part of the ongoing efforts to make commercial aviation more environmentally friendly. As a major contributor to the overall noise produced by an aircraft, reducing propulsion noise is a pivotal element of any strategy for developing the quiet aircraft of the future. To that end, the NASA Subsonic Fixed Wing project and the Environmentally Responsible Aviation project have been funding basic and system level research into low-noise propulsion technologies that can meet the challenging noise goals set for the future subsonic transport aircraft. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the current research undertaken by NASA in developing noise reduction technologies for both the ultra high bypass ratio turbofans and open rotor systems.

Envia, Ed↗

Propulsion Noise Reduction Research in the NASA Advanced Air Transport Technology Project

The Aircraft Noise Reduction (ANR) sub-project is focused on the generation, development, and testing of component noise reduction technologies progressing toward the NASA far term noise goals while providing associated near and mid-term benefits. The ANR sub-project has efforts in airframe noise reduction, propulsion (including fan and core) noise reduction, acoustic liner technology, and propulsion airframe aeroacoustics for candidate conventional and unconventional aircraft configurations. The current suite of propulsion specific noise research areas is reviewed along with emerging facility and measurement capabilities. In the longer term, the changes in engine and aircraft configuration will influence the suite of technologies necessary to reduce noise in next generation systems.

Van Zante, Dale↗

Propulsive lift noise

Propulsive life noise is the increase in noise that occurs when airframe surfaces are placed in the propulsive system's exhaust to increase their lift force. Increased local flow velocities and turbulence levels, due to the propulsive system exhaust gases passing along the airframe lifting surfaces, cause an increase in maximum lift coefficient. The airplane's flight speed required for takeoff and landing can then be significantly reduced, allowing operation from shorter runways than those of conventional commercial airports. Unfortunately, interaction of high velocity turbulent exhaust flow with the airframe's solid surfaces generates additional noise radiation. Aeroacoustic processes that cause propulsive lift noise also are present in airframe noise and propulsive system installation noise. Research studies of propulsive lift noise led to development of improved methods of predicting noise radiation from surfaces in turbulent flows. Noise reduction and prediction methods of aircraft noise are discussed.

Fink, Martin R.↗

NASA's Pursuit of Low-Noise Propulsion for Low-Boom Commercial Supersonic Vehicles

Since 2006, when the Fundamental Aeronautics Program was instituted within NASA's Aeronautics Mission Directorate, there has been a Project looking at the technical barriers to commercial supersonic flight. Among the barriers is the noise produced by aircraft during landing and takeoff. Over the years that followed, research was carried out at NASA aeronautics research centers, often in collaboration with academia and industry, addressing the problem. In 2013, a high-level milestone was established, described as a Technical Challenge, with the objective of demonstrating the feasibility of a low-boom supersonic airliner that could meet current airport noise regulations. The Technical Challenge was formally called a Low Noise Propulsion for Low Boom Aircraft and was completed in late 2016. This paper reports the technical findings from this Technical Challenge, reaching back almost 10 years to review the technologies and tools that were developed along the way. It also discusses the final aircraft configuration and propulsion systems required for a supersonic civilian aircraft to meet noise regulations using the technologies available today. Finally, the paper documents the model-scale tests that validated the acoustic performance of the study aircraft.

aeroacoustic↗

NASA's Pursuit of Low-Noise Propulsion for Low-Boom Commercial Supersonic Vehicles

Since 2006, when the Fundamental Aeronautics Program was instituted within NASA's Aeronautics Mission Directorate, there has been a Project looking at the technical barriers to commercial supersonic flight. Among the barriers is the noise produced by aircraft during landing and takeoff. Over the years that followed, research was carried out at NASA aeronautics research centers, often in collaboration with academia and industry, addressing the problem. In 2013, a high-level milestone was established, described as a Technical Challenge, with the objective of demonstrating the feasibility of a low-boom supersonic airliner that could meet current airport noise regulations. The Technical Challenge was formally called "Low Noise Propulsion for Low Boom Aircraft", and was completed in late 2016. This paper reports the technical findings from this Technical Challenge, reaching back almost 10 years to review the technologies and tools that were developed along the way. It also discusses the final aircraft configuration and propulsion systems required for a supersonic civilian aircraft to meet noise regulations using the technologies available today. Finally, the paper documents the model-scale tests that validated the acoustic performance of the study aircraft.

supersonic↗

Aeroacoustic Validation of Installed Low Noise Propulsion for NASA's N+2 Supersonic Airliner

An aeroacoustic test was conducted at NASA Glenn Research Center on an integrated propulsion system designed to meet noise regulations of ICAO Chapter 4 with 10EPNdB cumulative margin. The test had two objectives: to demonstrate that the aircraft design did meet the noise goal, and to validate the acoustic design tools used in the design. Variations in the propulsion system design and its installation were tested and the results compared against predictions. Far-field arrays of microphones measured the acoustic spectral directivity, which was transformed to full scale as noise certification levels. Phased array measurements confirmed that the shielding of the installation model adequately simulated the full aircraft and provided data for validating RANS-based noise prediction tools. Particle image velocimetry confirmed that the flow field around the nozzle on the jet rig mimicked that of the full aircraft and produced flow data to validate the RANS solutions used in the noise predictions. The far-field acoustic measurements confirmed the empirical predictions for the noise. Results provided here detail the steps taken to ensure accuracy of the measurements and give insights into the physics of exhaust noise from installed propulsion systems in future supersonic vehicles.

aeroacousti↗

Aeroacoustic Validation of Installed Low Noise Propulsion for NASA's N+2 Supersonic Airliner

An aeroacoustic test was conducted at NASA Glenn Research Center on an integrated propulsion system designed to meet noise regulations of ICAO Chapter 4 with 10EPNdB cumulative margin. The test had two objectives: to demonstrate that the aircraft design did meet the noise goal, and to validate the acoustic design tools used in the design. Variations in the propulsion system design and its installation were tested and the results compared against predictions. Far-field arrays of microphones measured the acoustic spectral directivity, which was transformed to full scale as noise certification levels. Phased array measurements confirmed that the shielding of the installation model adequately simulated the full aircraft and provided data for validating RANS-based noise prediction tools. Particle image velocimetry confirmed that the flow field around the nozzle on the jet rig mimicked that of the full aircraft and produced flow data to validate the RANS solutions used in the noise predictions. The far-field acoustic measurements confirmed the empirical predictions for the noise. Results provided here detail the steps taken to ensure accuracy of the measurements and give insights into the physics of exhaust noise from installed propulsion systems in future supersonic vehicles.

supersonic↗

Propulsion Noise: Update on NASA Program Office strategy

Overview of current Advanced Air Vehicles Program strategy for sustainability and the Sustainable Flight National Partnership. The relationship to propulsion acoustics is highlighted.

propulsion noise, turbofan, open rotor↗

Status of current development activity related to STOL propulsion noise reduction

The noise goal of 95 PNdb for STOL aircraft imposes severe technology demands on propulsion systems. Effects of this goal on the design of the propulsion system are reviewed. Results from recent development programs associated with STOL noise reduction, such as high bypass fan tests, 25 PNdb acoustic suppression tests, sonic inlets, and powered lift system noise tests, are presented. Integrated propulsion system designs for the blown flap and augmentor wing powered lift systems capable of meeting the noise goal are shown and the performance, installation, and economic penalties assessed.

Rulis, R. J.↗

Status of current development activity related to STOL propulsion noise reduction.

The noise goal of 95 PNdB for STOL aircraft imposes severe technology demands on propulsion systems. Effects of this goal on the design of the propulsion system are reviewed. Results from recent development programs associated with STOL noise reduction, such as high bypass fan tests, 25 PNdB acoustic suppression tests, sonic inlets, and powered lift system noise tests, are presented. Integrated propulsion system designs for the blown flap and augmentor wing powered lift systems capable of meeting the noise goal are shown, and the performance, installation, and economic penalties are assessed.

Rulis, R. J.↗

Aspects of large-scale, subsonic, wind-tunnel design for propulsion noise research

The case for full-scale acoustic testing of propulsion systems at flight conditions and the use of wind tunnels for this work are discussed. The problems associated with measuring noise in wind tunnels are discussed, and wind-tunnel design requirements to provide a useful facility for noise research are established. Full-scale subsonic wind-tunnel designs that meet the requirements are described, and it is shown that state-of-art acoustics technology must be used in the drive-fan design to minimize background noise. If this is successfully done, acoustic treatment in the drive system area may be avoided.

Hickey, D. H.↗

A Comparison of Measured Tone Modes for Two Low Noise Propulsion Fans

The acoustic modes for two low tip speed propulsion fans were measured to examine the effects of fan tip speed, at constant pressure ratio. A continuously rotating microphone method was used that provided the complete modal structure (circumferential and radial order) at the fundamental and second harmonic of the blade passing tone as well as most of the third harmonic modes. The fans are compared in terms of their rotor/stator interaction modal power, and total tone power. It was hoped that the lower tip speed might produce less noise. This was not the case. The higher tip speed fan, at both takeoff and cutback speeds, had lower tone and interaction levels. This could be an indication that the higher aerodynamic loading required to produce the same pressure ratio for the lower tip speed fan resulted in a greater velocity deficit in the blade wakes and thus more noise. Results consistent with expected rotor transmission effects were noted in the inlet modal structures of both fans.

Heidelberg, Laurence J.↗

Aircraft flyover noise prediction

A review is conducted of the prediction techniques for CTOL aircraft noise sources which are presently implemented in the NASA Aircraft Noise Prediction Program (ANOPP). The sources considered include jet noise, fan noise, combination noise, and airframe noise. Questions related to propagation prediction methods, source shielding, atmospheric attenuation, and ground attenuation are also described. It is pointed out that ANOPP is designed to make predictions of varying degrees of complexity, or amounts of detail, depending on the needs of the user. These different degrees of complexity are called levels of prediction. The prediction methods being used imply a similarity law for aircraft noise. Propulsion noise is proportional to mass flow for a selected engine cycle and, since thrust is also proportional to mass flow, aircraft with a fixed thrust-to-weight ratio will have their propulsion noise proportional to weight.

Zorumski, W. E.↗

Quantifying Uncertainty of Landing and Takeoff Noise for Commercial Supersonic Aircraft

Of the many challenges faced by manufacturers attempting to offer supersonic travel to the public, the uncertainty in predicting the noise of these aircraft in airport operations has an immediate impact. No noise regulation exists in FAA or ICAO for certifying such aircraft, as these organization require solid data, usually from existing aircraft. Manufacturers are taking large risks to design a vehicle not knowing whether it will be allowed to fly. A partial solution to this conundrum is to use physics-based simulations to provide the “data” used to calibrate system-level prediction methods, carefully documenting the uncertainty of the method for application to supersonic aircraft. A close look at the accuracy of empirical prediction methods points to areas where improvements need to be made if noise studies of supersonic aircraft are to be useful. As NASA embarks on a focused research program to improve predictions of noise from the noise-dominant propulsion noise of commercial supersonic aircraft, this paper documents the work done to baseline the uncertainties found in today’s noise prediction methods. A relatively simplistic method was developed, summarizing the error of the empirical methods on a component basis and following their impact on the total aircraft during landing and takeoff operations using Monte Carlo analysis. By this method it is found that current empirical noise prediction methods have an uncertainty of 1.5 EPNdB cumulative for propulsion noise of a representative conventional subsonic passenger aircraft. When applied to likely near-term supersonic commercial aircraft, the uncertainty is 7.6 EPNdB cumulative, a difference that must be reduced if the prediction methods are to guide decision makers.

Airport noise↗

Aeroacoustics of Flight Vehicles: Theory and Practice. Volume 1: Noise Sources

Methodology recommended to evaluate aeroacoustic related problems is provided, and approaches to their solutions are suggested without extensive tables, nomographs, and derivations. Orientation is toward flight vehicles and emphasis is on underlying physical concepts. Theoretical, experimental, and applied aspects are covered, including the main formulations and comparisons of theory and experiment. The topics covered include: propeller and propfan noise, rotor noise, turbomachinery noise, jet noise classical theory and experiments, noise from turbulent shear flows, jet noise generated by large-scale coherent motion, airframe noise, propulsive lift noise, combustion and core noise, and sonic booms.

Propeller noise↗