Acoustic models

This dissertation will consider the sound radiation from forward-facing steps and a three dimensional cylindrical embossment of very low aspect ratio mounted on a plate. Glegg et al (2014) outlined a theory for predicting the sound radiation from separated flows and applied the method to predicting the sound from forward-facing steps. In order to validate this theory it has been applied to the results of Catlett et al (2014) and Ji and Wang (2010). This validation study revealed that the original theory could be adjusted to include a mixed scaling which gives a better prediction. RANS simulations have been performed and used to support the similarities between the forward-facing step and the cylindrical embossment. The simulations revealed that the cylindrical embossment exhibits a separation zone similar to that of the forward-facing step. This separation zone has been shown to be the dominant source of noise on the forward-facing step in previous works and therefore was expected to be the major source of sound from the cylindrical embossment. The sensitivity of this separation zone to the different parameters of the flow has been investigated by performing several simulations with different conditions and geometries. The separation zone was seen to be independent of Reynolds number based on boundary layer thickness but was directly dependent on the height of the cylinder. The theory outlined in Glegg et al (2014) was then reformulated for use with a cylindrical embossment and the predictions have been compared with wind tunnel measurements. The final predictions show good agreement with the wind tunnel measurements and the far-field sound shows a clearly defined directionality that is similar to an axial dipole at low frequencies.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) rely on acoustics for a number of mission functions such as communications (Acoustic Modem) and vision (Forward and Side Looking Sonars). The AUV acoustic signature (self-noise and vibration) can thus interfere with AUV operations. Additionally, underwater measurements such as turbulence measurements can be contaminated by interference between the AUV generated acoustics pressures and the low pressures of the turbulence. In this thesis a Finite Element and Boundary Element approach is developed to characterize the self-noise (vibration and radiated sound pressure) of a simplified FAU Ocean Explorer AUV. Mechanical excitation from the "podule", which contains the motors for the propulsion and motion control, is assumed in the analysis. The low frequency (less than 1Khz) results are dominated by two types of modes. One type associated with the motion of the "podule" as a rigid body on the vibration isolation supports that connects it to the rest of the AUV structure. The second type is associated with local structural deformations of the "podule", support frame, and AUV hull. Modifying the stiffness of the supports reduces the frequency of the rigid body modes of the "podule", but does not influence the frequencies of the local structural deformations of the "podule" and the rest of the AUV. Decreasing the stiffness of the supports should result in a reduced AUV acoustic signature.

This investigation presents the development of an acoustical model
for the study of the reaction of a diving mask on the human vocal
tract. The vocal tract and mask cavity are approximated by simplified
acoustic elements of uniform geometry within which undamped
plane wave motion is assumed. Equations for the impedance at the
mouth opening both with and without a theoretical mask cavity are
developed from the one-dimensional wave equation. The results are
compared with an analysis of the same system using the lumped parameter
technique. The impulse response of the mouth opening is
found by numerical methods and the extension of the technique to
the study of theoretical and actual diving masks is discussed.

With the increase of air traffic and the introduction of larger aircraft and therefore larger engines, the noise generated by aircraft engines have become of greater importance. In order to address these problems, noise prediction codes must be developed in order to better understand the noise generating process. This thesis addresses important issues related to broadband self-noise from ducted fans based on the prediction model developed by Glegg and Jochault [1]. By addressing issues regarding the prediction of broadband self-noise from an isolated airfoil with the observer in the far field directly overhead (at 90° above), improvements can be made to Glegg and Jochault's approach for ducted fans. The prediction of broadband self-noise at 90° above a single airfoil is done by considering boundary layer parameters, the results obtained are compared with theoretical approaches, as well as experimental results obtained by Brooks [2] in order to verify its accuracy.

Ji and Wang (2010) propose that the dominant source of sound from a forward facing step is the stream wise dipole on the face of the step and that sources acting normal to the flow are negligible. Sound radiation normal to flow of forward facing steps has been measured in wind tunnel experiments previously by Farabee and Casarella (1986, 1991) and Catlett (2010). A method for evaluating sound radiation from surface roughness proposed in Glegg and Devenport (2009) has been adapted and applied to flow over a forward facing step which addresses the sound normal to the flow that was previously unaccounted for. Far-field radiation predictions based on this method have been compared with wind tunnel measurements and show good agreement. A second method which evaluates the forcing from a vortex convected past surface roughness using RANS calculations and potential flow information is also evaluated.