Engineering topics

Nark, Douglas M.

Publications and source records attributed to Nark, Douglas M..

53 records · Page 3

NASA NTRS2010

On Acoustic Source Specification for Rotor-Stator Interaction Noise Prediction

This paper describes the use of measured source data to assess the effects of acoustic source specification on rotor-stator interaction noise predictions. Specifically, the acoustic propagation and radiation portions of a recently developed coupled computational approach are used to predict tonal rotor-stator interaction noise from a benchmark configuration. In addition to the use of full measured data, randomization of source mode relative phases is also considered for specification of the acoustic source within the computational approach. Comparisons with sideline noise measurements are performed to investigate the effects of various source descriptions on both inlet and exhaust predictions. The inclusion of additional modal source content is shown to have a much greater influence on the inlet results. Reasonable agreement between predicted and measured levels is achieved for the inlet, as well as the exhaust when shear layer effects are taken into account. For the number of trials considered, phase randomized predictions follow statistical distributions similar to those found in previous statistical source investigations. The shape of the predicted directivity pattern relative to measurements also improved with phase randomization, having predicted levels generally within one standard deviation of the measured levels.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Effects of Flow Profile on Educed Acoustic Liner Impedance

This paper presents results of an investigation of the effects of shear flow profile on impedance eduction processes employed at NASA Langley. Uniform and 1-D shear-flow propagation models are used to educe the acoustic impedance of three test liners based on aeroacoustic data acquired in the Langley Grazing Flow Impedance Tube, at source levels of 130, 140 and 150 dB, and at centerline Mach numbers of 0.0, 0.3 and 0.5. A ceramic tubular, calibration liner is used to evaluate the propagation models, as this liner is expected to be insensitive to SPL, grazing flow Mach number, and flow profile effects. The propagation models are then used to investigate the effects of shear flow profile on acoustic impedances educed for two conventional perforate-over-honeycomb liners. Results achieved with the uniform-flow models follow expected trends, but those educed with the 1-D shear-flow model do not, even for the calibration liner. However, when the flow profile used with the shear-flow model is varied to increase the Mach number gradient near the wall, results computed with the shear-flow model are well matched to those achieved with the uniform-flow model. This indicates the effects of flow profile on educed acoustic liner impedance are small, but more detailed investigations of the flow field throughout the duct are needed to better understand these effects.

Jones, Michael G.↗

NASA NTRS2009

Fan Noise Prediction with Applications to Aircraft System Noise Assessment

This paper describes an assessment of current fan noise prediction tools by comparing measured and predicted sideline acoustic levels from a benchmark fan noise wind tunnel test. Specifically, an empirical method and newly developed coupled computational approach are utilized to predict aft fan noise for a benchmark test configuration. Comparisons with sideline noise measurements are performed to assess the relative merits of the two approaches. The study identifies issues entailed in coupling the source and propagation codes, as well as provides insight into the capabilities of the tools in predicting the fan noise source and subsequent propagation and radiation. In contrast to the empirical method, the new coupled computational approach provides the ability to investigate acoustic near-field effects. The potential benefits/costs of these new methods are also compared with the existing capabilities in a current aircraft noise system prediction tool. The knowledge gained in this work provides a basis for improved fan source specification in overall aircraft system noise studies.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2009

Open Rotor Noise Prediction Methods at NASA Langley- A Technology Review

Open rotors are once again under consideration for propulsion of the future airliners because of their high efficiency. The noise generated by these propulsion systems must meet the stringent noise standards of today to reduce community impact. In this paper we review the open rotor noise prediction methods available at NASA Langley. We discuss three codes called ASSPIN (Advanced Subsonic-Supersonic Propeller Induced Noise), FW - Hpds (Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings with penetrable data surface) and the FSC (Fast Scattering Code). The first two codes are in the time domain and the third code is a frequency domain code. The capabilities of these codes and the input data requirements as well as the output data are presented. Plans for further improvements of these codes are discussed. In particular, a method based on equivalent sources is outlined to get rid of spurious signals in the FW - Hpds code.

Farassat, F.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analyses of Duct Propagation Models

This paper presents results of uncertainty and sensitivity analyses conducted to assess the relative merits of three duct propagation codes. Results from this study are intended to support identification of a "working envelope" within which to use the various approaches underlying these propagation codes. This investigation considers a segmented liner configuration that models the NASA Langley Grazing Incidence Tube, for which a large set of measured data was available. For the uncertainty analysis, the selected input parameters (source sound pressure level, average Mach number, liner impedance, exit impedance, static pressure and static temperature) are randomly varied over a range of values. Uncertainty limits (95% confidence levels) are computed for the predicted values from each code, and are compared with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals in the measured data. Generally, the mean values of the predicted attenuation are observed to track the mean values of the measured attenuation quite well and predicted confidence intervals tend to be larger in the presence of mean flow. A two-level, six factor sensitivity study is also conducted in which the six inputs are varied one at a time to assess their effect on the predicted attenuation. As expected, the results demonstrate the liner resistance and reactance to be the most important input parameters. They also indicate the exit impedance is a significant contributor to uncertainty in the predicted attenuation.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Initial Integration of Noise Prediction Tools for Acoustic Scattering Effects

This effort provides an initial glimpse at NASA capabilities available in predicting the scattering of fan noise from a non-conventional aircraft configuration. The Aircraft NOise Prediction Program, Fast Scattering Code, and the Rotorcraft Noise Model were coupled to provide increased fidelity models of scattering effects on engine fan noise sources. The integration of these codes led to the identification of several keys issues entailed in applying such multi-fidelity approaches. In particular, for prediction at noise certification points, the inclusion of distributed sources leads to complications with the source semi-sphere approach. Computational resource requirements limit the use of the higher fidelity scattering code to predict radiated sound pressure levels for full scale configurations at relevant frequencies. And, the ability to more accurately represent complex shielding surfaces in current lower fidelity models is necessary for general application to scattering predictions. This initial step in determining the potential benefits/costs of these new methods over the existing capabilities illustrates a number of the issues that must be addressed in the development of next generation aircraft system noise prediction tools.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Comparison of Predicted and Measured Attenuation of Turbine Noise from a Static Engine Test

Aircraft noise has become an increasing concern for commercial airlines. Worldwide demand for quieter aircraft is increasing, making the prediction of engine noise suppression one of the most important fields of research. The Low-Pressure Turbine (LPT) can be an important noise source during the approach condition for commercial aircraft. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Pratt & Whitney (P&W), and Goodrich Aerostructures (Goodrich) conducted a joint program to validate a method for predicting turbine noise attenuation. The method includes noise-source estimation, acoustic treatment impedance prediction, and in-duct noise propagation analysis. Two noise propagation prediction codes, Eversman Finite Element Method (FEM) code [1] and the CDUCT-LaRC [2] code, were used in this study to compare the predicted and the measured turbine noise attenuation from a static engine test. In this paper, the test setup, test configurations and test results are detailed in Section II. A description of the input parameters, including estimated noise modal content (in terms of acoustic potential), and acoustic treatment impedance values are provided in Section III. The prediction-to-test correlation study results are illustrated and discussed in Section IV and V for the FEM and the CDUCT-LaRC codes, respectively, and a summary of the results is presented in Section VI.

Chien, Eugene W.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Investigation of a Parabolic Iterative Solver for Three-dimensional Configurations

A parabolic iterative solution procedure is investigated that seeks to extend the parabolic approximation used within the internal propagation module of the duct noise propagation and radiation code CDUCT-LaRC. The governing convected Helmholtz equation is split into a set of coupled equations governing propagation in the positive and negative directions. The proposed method utilizes an iterative procedure to solve the coupled equations in an attempt to account for possible reflections from internal bifurcations, impedance discontinuities, and duct terminations. A geometry consistent with the NASA Langley Curved Duct Test Rig is considered and the effects of acoustic treatment and non-anechoic termination are included. Two numerical implementations are studied and preliminary results indicate that improved accuracy in predicted amplitude and phase can be obtained for modes at a cut-off ratio of 1.7. Further predictions for modes at a cut-off ratio of 1.1 show improvement in predicted phase at the expense of increased amplitude error. Possible methods of improvement are suggested based on analytic and numerical analysis. It is hoped that coupling the parabolic iterative approach with less efficient, high fidelity finite element approaches will ultimately provide the capability to perform efficient, higher fidelity acoustic calculations within complex 3-D geometries for impedance eduction and noise propagation and radiation predictions.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2006

On the Development of an Efficient Parallel Hybrid Solver with Application to Acoustically Treated Aero-Engine Nacelles

A finite element solution to the convected Helmholtz equation in a nonuniform flow is used to model the noise field within 3-D acoustically treated aero-engine nacelles. Options to select linear or cubic Hermite polynomial basis functions and isoparametric elements are included. However, the key feature of the method is a domain decomposition procedure that is based upon the inter-mixing of an iterative and a direct solve strategy for solving the discrete finite element equations. This procedure is optimized to take full advantage of sparsity and exploit the increased memory and parallel processing capability of modern computer architectures. Example computations are presented for the Langley Flow Impedance Test facility and a rectangular mapping of a full scale, generic aero-engine nacelle. The accuracy and parallel performance of this new solver are tested on both model problems using a supercomputer that contains hundreds of central processing units. Results show that the method gives extremely accurate attenuation predictions, achieves super-linear speedup over hundreds of CPUs, and solves upward of 25 million complex equations in a quarter of an hour.

Watson, Willie R.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Further Investigation of Acoustic Propagation Codes for Three-Dimensional Geometries

The ability to predict fan noise within complex three-dimensional aircraft engine nacelle geometries is a valuable tool in designing and assessing low-noise concepts. This work begins a systematic study to identify the areas of the design space in which propagation codes of varying fidelity may be used effectively to provide efficient design and assessment. An efficient lower-fidelity code is used in conjunction with two higher-fidelity, more computationally intensive methods to solve benchmark problems of increasing complexity. The codes represent a small sampling of the current propagation codes available or under development. Results of this initial study indicate that the lower-fidelity code provides satisfactory results for cases involving low to moderate attenuation rates, whereas, the two higher-fidelity codes perform well across the range of problems.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2006

CDUCT-LaRC Status - Shear Layer Refraction and Noise Radiation

A proposed boundary condition accounting for shear layer effects within the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings radiation module of the CDUCT-LaRC code is investigated. The development and numerical justification of the boundary condition formulation are reviewed. An initial assessment of the effectiveness of the shear layer correction is conducted through comparison with experimental data. Preliminary results indicate that the correction provides physically meaningful modifications of the baseline predicted directivity patterns. Trends of peak directivity steepening and shifting that appeared in predicted patterns were found to follow similar structures in measured data, particularly at higher radiation angles.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Effects of Bifurcations on Aft-Fan Engine Nacelle Noise

Aft-fan engine nacelle noise is a significant factor in the increasingly important issue of aircraft community noise. The ability to predict such noise within complex duct geometries is a valuable tool in studying possible noise attenuation methods. A recent example of code development for such predictions is the ducted fan noise propagation and radiation code CDUCT-LaRC. This work focuses on predicting the effects of geometry changes (i.e. bifurcations, pylons) on aft fan noise propagation. Beginning with simplified geometries, calculations show that bifurcations lead to scattering of acoustic energy into higher order modes. In addition, when circumferential mode number and the number of bifurcations are properly commensurate, bifurcations increase the relative importance of the plane wave mode near the exhaust plane of the bypass duct. This is particularly evident when the bypass duct surfaces include acoustic treatment. Calculations involving more complex geometries further illustrate that bifurcations and pylons clearly affect modal content, in both propagation and radiation calculations. Additionally, results show that consideration of acoustic radiation results may provide further insight into acoustic treatment effectiveness for situations in which modal decomposition may not be straightforward. The ability of CDUCT-LaRC to handle complex (non-axisymmetric) multi-block geometries, as well as axially and circumferentially segmented liners, allows investigation into the effects of geometric elements (bifurcations, pylons).

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2004

A Model for Shear Layer Effects on Engine Noise Radiation

Prediction of aircraft engine noise is an important aspect of addressing the issues of community noise and cabin noise control. The development of physics based methodologies for performing such predictions has been a focus of Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA). A recent example of code development in this area is the ducted fan noise propagation and radiation code CDUCT-LaRC. Included within the code is a duct radiation model that is based on the solution of FfowcsWilliams-Hawkings (FW-H) equation with a penetrable data surface. Testing of this equation for many acoustic problems has shown it to provide generally better results than the Kirchhoff formula for moving surfaces. Currently, the data surface is taken to be the inlet or exhaust plane for inlet or aft-fan cases, respectively. While this provides reasonable results in many situations, these choices of data surface location lead to a few limitations. For example, the shear layer between the bypass ow and external stream can refract the sound waves radiated to the far field. Radiation results can be improved by including this effect, as well as the rejection of the sound in the bypass region from the solid surface external to the bypass duct surrounding the core ow. This work describes the implementation, and possible approximation, of a shear layer boundary condition within CDUCT-LaRC. An example application also illustrates the improvements that this extension offers for predicting noise radiation from complex inlet and bypass duct geometries, thereby providing a means to evaluate external treatments in the vicinity of the bypass duct exhaust plane.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Improved Inlet Noise Attenuation by Alteration of Boundary Layer Profiles

Acoustic liners are an essential component of technology used to reduce aircraft engine noise. Flow affects attenuation due to the liner in several ways, one of which is that boundary layers adjacent to the liner refract the sound. In the case of inlet noise, the boundary layer causes sound to be refracted away from the liner, thus degrading attenuation. A concept to improve attenuation by the liner by alteration of inlet boundary layer profiles is presented. The alteration of profiles is achieved by inlet blowing. Computational fluid dynamics and duct mode propagation theory for ducts carrying a parallel sheared flow have been used to design experiments to explore such a possibility in the NASA Langley Research Center Grazing Incidence Tube using an inlet blowing scheme developed at General Electric Global Research. The effects of inlet blowing on two liner configurations were evaluated. Calculated results will be shown for blowing ratios (injected flow/duct flow) of approximately 12% and frequencies up to 3 kHz. These results emphasize changes of attenuation achieved by blowing for the two liners. Experimental results of measured flow profiles (with and without blowing) in the Grazing Incidence Tube, and of corresponding changes in attenuation by the liner due to blowing will be presented.

Mani, Ramani↗

NASA NTRS2003

The Development of the Ducted Fan Noise Propagation and Radiation Code CDUCT-LaRC

The development of the ducted fan noise propagation and radiation code CDUCT-LaRC at NASA Langley Research Center is described. This code calculates the propagation and radiation of given acoustic modes ahead of the fan face or aft of the exhaust guide vanes in the inlet or exhaust ducts, respectively. This paper gives a description of the modules comprising CDUCT-LaRC. The grid generation module provides automatic creation of numerical grids for complex (non-axisymmetric) geometries that include single or multiple pylons. Files for performing automatic inviscid mean flow calculations are also generated within this module. The duct propagation is based on the parabolic approximation theory of R. P. Dougherty. This theory allows the handling of complex internal geometries and the ability to study the effect of non-uniform (i.e. circumferentially and axially segmented) liners. Finally, the duct radiation module is based on the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) equation with a penetrable data surface. Refraction of sound through the shear layer between the external flow and bypass duct flow is included. Results for benchmark annular ducts, as well as other geometries with pylons, are presented and compared with available analytical data.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRS2001

The Detection of Radiated Modes from Ducted Fan Engines

The bypass duct of an aircraft engine is a low-pass filter allowing some spinning modes to radiate outside the duct. The knowledge of the radiated modes can help in noise reduction, as well as the diagnosis of noise generation mechanisms inside the duct. We propose a nonintrusive technique using a circular microphone array outside the engine measuring the complex noise spectrum on an arc of a circle. The array is placed at various axial distances from the inlet or the exhaust of the engine. Using a model of noise radiation from the duct, an overdetermined system of linear equations is constructed for the complex amplitudes of the radial modes for a fixed circumferential mode. This system of linear equations is generally singular, indicating that the problem is illposed. Tikhonov regularization is employed to solve this system of equations for the unknown amplitudes of the radiated modes. An application of our mode detection technique using measured acoustic data from a circular microphone array is presented. We show that this technique can reliably detect radiated modes with the possible exception of modes very close to cut-off.

Farassat, F.↗

NASA NTRS1995

The use of staggered scheme and an absorbing buffer zone for computational aeroacoustics

Various problems from those proposed for the Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA) workshop were studied using second and fourth order staggered spatial discretizations in conjunction with fourth order Runge-Kutta time integration. In addition, an absorbing buffer zone was used at the outflow boundaries. Promising results were obtained and provide a basis for application of these techniques to a wider variety of problems.

Nark, Douglas M.↗