Propulsion systems noise technology

Turbofan engine noise research relevant to conventional aircraft is discussed. In the area of fan noise, static to flight noise differences were discussed and data were presented for two different ways of simulating flight behavior. Experimental results from a swept rotor fan design are presented which show that this concept has potential for reducing the multiple-pure-tone or buzz-saw noise related to the shock waves on a fan operating at supersonic tip speeds. Acoustic suppressor research objectives centered around the effect of the wave system generated by the fan stage that is the input to the treatment. A simplifying and unifying parameter, mode cutoff ratio was described. Results are presented which show that suppressor performance can be improved if the input wave is more precisely described. In jet noise, calculated results showing the potential noise reduction from the use of internal mixer nozzles rather than separate flow nozzles are presented

Recent results about fan noise: Its generation, radiation and suppression

Fan noise including its generation, radiation characteristics, and suppression by acoustic treatment is studied. In fan noise generation, results from engine and fan experiments, using inflow control measures to suppress noise sources related to inflow distortion and turbulence, are described. The suppression of sources related to inflow allows the experiments to focus on the fan or engine internal sources. Some of the experiments incorporated pressure sensors on the fan blades to sample the flow disturbances encountered by the blades. From these data some inferences can be drawn about the origins of the disturbances. Also, hot wire measurements of a fan rotor wake field are presented and related to the fan's noise signature. The radiation and the suppression of fan noise are dependent on the acoustic modes generated by the fan. Fan noise suppression and radiation is described by relating these phenomena to the mode cutoff ratio parameter. In addition to its utility in acoustic treatment design and performance prediction, cutoff ratio was useful in developing a simple description of the radiation pattern for broadband fan noise. Some of the findings using the cutoff ratio parameter are presented

Advanced inlet duct noise reduction concepts

A progress report is given on the implications of inlet noise reduction on aircraft direct operating costs (DOC). It considers treated inlet rings, various other inlet noise reduction concepts, and forward-speed effects. The report was limited to relatively well-established approaches to inlet noise reduction, such as acoustic liners and fixed-geometry/high-subsonic-speed inlets which are the focus of considerable current research activity. All of the concepts discussed are of a "passive" nature, i.e., no moving parts or electrical feedback systems

Noise from turbomachinery

A review is made of turbomachinery noise from turbofan engines as typified by fan noise. The mechanisms and theories of fan noise are reviewed and concepts for its reduction, including acoustic suppression are discussed. Correlations of the overall noise data from several full-scale fans tested at NASA-Lewis Research Center are presented as indicative of the current state-of-the-art. Estimates are presented to show economics versus reduced noise for two quieted experimental engines, one with subsonic and one with supersonic fan tip speed. Finally, some concepts that may have the potential to reduce fan noise are indicated

Effects of forward velocity and acoustic treatment on inlet fan noise

Flyover and static noise data from several engines are presented that show inlet fan noise measured in flight can be lower than that projected from static tests for some engines. The differences between flight and static measurements appear greatest when the fan fundamental tone due to rotor-stator interaction or to the rotor alone field is below cutoff. Data from engine and fan tests involving inlet treatment on the walls only are presented that show the attenuation from this treatment is substantially larger than expected from previous theories or flow duct experience. Data showing noise shielding effects due to the location of the engine on the airplane are also presented. These observations suggest that multiringed inlets may not be necessary to achieve the desired noise reduction in many applications

Selective nanomanipulation using optical forces

We present a detailed theoretical study of the recent proposal for selective nanomanipulation of nanometric particles above a substrate using near-field optical forces [Chaumet {\it et al.} Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 88}, 123601 (2002)]. Evanescent light scattering at the apex of an apertureless near-field probe is used to create an optical trap. The position of the trap is controlled on a nanometric scale via the probe and small objects can be selectively trapped and manipulated. We discuss the influence of the geometry of the particles and the probe on the efficiency of the trap. We also consider the influence of multiple scattering among the particles on the substrate and its effect on the robustness of the trap.Comment: 12 pages, 17 figure