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Preisser, J. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Preisser, J. S..

At least 19 records

Flight Acoustics Measurement Techniques and Applications

Careful consideration must be given to data acquisition and analysis techniques in the design of experiments for the measurement of noise generated by flight vehicles. Although noise measurement locations and data reduction procedures are specified for aircraft certification by FAA and ICAO directives, for example, there are virtually no established procedures for aircraft noise measurement for other purposes. To optimize the quality and quantity of information obtained in a flight acoustics experiment, microphone layout, data acquisition, and analysis must be tailored to the specific test objective. This paper will review flight acoustics technology at NASA Langley Research Center developed over the past decade. In particular, the paper will focus on flight experiments performed for three diverse objectives: (1) research applications, such as noise prediction code validation, (2) noise impact modeling, and (3) noise abatement flight procedures. To best achieve these diverse objectives, different deployments of microphone systems on the ground are required, and different data analysis techniques are needed. In all cases, accurate positioning of the aircraft synchronized in time with the data recording is necessary. However, there are some restrictions on flight operations unique to each case for the methods to properly work.

Preisser, J. S.

Recent studies of rotorcraft blade-vortex interaction noise

Recent results are presented from several research efforts aimed at the understanding of rotorcraft blade-vortex interaction (BVI) in terms of the noise generation, directivity, and control. The results are based on work performed by NASA Langley Research Center researchers, both alone and in collaboration with other research organizations. Based on analysis of a simplified physical model, the critical parameters controlling BVI noise generation have been identified. The detailed mapping of the acoustic radiation field of a model rotor in a wind tunnel has revealed the extreme sensitivity of directivity to rotor advance ratio and disk attitude. The control and reduction of BVI noise through the use of higher harmonic pitch control is discussed.

BLADE VORTEX INTERACTION

Supersonic jet noise - Its generation, prediction and effects on people and structures

This paper presents the results of a study aimed at quantifying the effects of jet source noise reduction, increases in aircraft lift, and reduced aircraft thrust on the take-off noise associated with supersonic civil transports. Supersonic jet noise sources are first described, and their frequency and directivity dependence are defined. The study utilizes NASA's Aircraft Noise Prediction Program in a parametric study to weigh the relative benefits of several approaches to low noise. The baseline aircraft concept used in these predictions is the AST-205-1 powered by GE21/J11-B14A scaled engines. Noise assessment is presented in terms of effective perceived noise levels at the FAA's centerline and sideline measuring locations for current subsonic aircraft, and in terms of audiologically perceived sound of people and other indirect effects. The results show that significant noise benefit can be achieved through proper understanding and utilization of all available approaches.

Preisser, J. S.

Rotorcraft blade/vortex interaction noise - Its generation, radiation, and control

Recent results are presented from several research efforts aimed at the understanding of rotorcraft blade-vortex interaction noise generation, directivity, and control. The results are based on work performed by researches at the NASA Langley Research Center, both alone and in collaboration with other research organizations. Based on analysis of a simplified physical model, the critical parameters controlling the noise generation are identified. Detailed mapping of the acoustic radiation field reveals the extreme sensitivity of directivity to rotor advance ratio and disk attitude. A means of controlling blade-vortex interaction noise by higher harmonic pitch control is discussed.

Preisser, J. S.

Location of noise sources using a phase-slope method

Two three-element microphone arrays have been used to predict the position of both pure-tone and broadband noise sources in an anechoic chamber under different ground impedance conditions. Source positions are predicted using the slope of phase-frequency plots between array elements. A phase-slope method for quantitatively assessing both the accuracy and precision of estimates of noise source location is introduced and illustrated. When the phase-slope method is used, there is higher accuracy and more precision in estimates of source location with a small ground impedance than with a large ground impedance. As would be expected, ground impedance effects are larger for low elevation angles than for high elevation angles.

Deloach, R.

Contributions to the finite element solution of the fan noise radiation problem

The radiation of fan generated noise to the far field from a nacelle of realistic geometry is investigated using the finite element method. Several innovations have been introduced to minimize the computational requirements and create a highly efficient numerical scheme. The innovations include: (1) formulation of the problem in terms of velocity potential and density in such a way that no inlet mean flow velocity derivatives are required in the field equations, (2) the use of 'wave envelope' elements in an outer region permitting a grid much coarser than would be used for conventional finite elements, (3) the use of a mesh which deforms with an increase of forward flight speed so that mesh lines are always lines of constant phase and rays for a point source, permitting the use of wave envelope elements and simple boundary conditions for any case of forward velocity, (4) an efficient scheme for introducing the noise source via modal amplitude coefficients, and (5) the use of a frontal solution technique which for physically realistic problems drastically reduces the active storage requirements. The finite element scheme is outlined, as are the specific details of the innovations. Results are given for cases where comparable experimental data are available.

Eversman, W.

Test-engine and inlet performance of an aircraft used for investigating flight effects on fan noise

As part of the NASA Flight Effects on Fan Noise Program, a Grumman OV-1B Mohawk aircraft was modified to carry a modified and instrumented Pratt & Whitney JT15D-1 turbofan engine. Onboard flight data, together with simultaneously measured farfield acoustic data, comprise a flight data base to which JT15D-1 static and wind-tunnel data are compared. The overall objective is to improve the ability to use ground-based facilities for the prediction of flight inlet radiated noise. This report describes the hardware and presents performance results for the research engine.

Golub, R. A.

A flight study of tone radiation patterns generated by inlet rods in a small turbofan engine

This paper presents a flight study of tone radiation patterns from a small turbofan engine and compares results with similar static test stand data and a recently developed radiation theory. An interaction tone was produced by a circumferential array of inlet rods placed just upstream of the fan blades. Overhead and sideline flight directivity patterns showed cut-on of a dominant single mode occurred where predicted and the absence of any other significant circumferential or radial modes. In general, good agreement was found between measured flight and static data, with small differences being attributed to inlet geometry and/or forward speed effects. Good agreement was also obtained between flight data and theory for directivity pattern shape, however, the theory consistently predicted higher values for peak radiation angle over a wide range of frequency.

Preisser, J. S.

Flight effects on fan noise with static and wind tunnel comparisons

A flight test program utilizing a JT15D-1 turbofan engine has been conducted with the objectives of studying flight effects on fan noise and evaluating the simulation effectiveness of both a wind tunnel and a static test configuration that incorporated an inlet control device (ICD). In conjunction with synchronized laser-radar tracking and meteorological profile information, data obtained from a linear array of ground microphones was narrowband-analyzed and ensemble-averaged to yield highly accurate far-field flight acoustic results. Utilizing appropriate corrections, flight, wind tunnel, and static acoustic data were normalized to a static-equivalent, 100-foot radius, lossless reference condition. Data comparisons showed that both the static test with ICD and wind tunnel were generally very effective in simulating flight blade-passage-frequency (BPF) noise levels. However, differences were observed in broadband noise levels and in the details of the multiple-pure-tone harmonics.

Preisser, J. S.

The design and flight test of an engine inlet bulk acoustic liner

This paper summarizes the design, fabrication and flight evaluation of a Kevlar acoustic liner configuration for a JT15D turbofan engine. The liner was designed to suppress, by a measurable amount, a dominant (13,0) BPF tone. This tone or spinning mode was produced for research purposes by installing 41 circumferentially distributed small diameter rods upstream of the 28 fan blades. Duct liner attenuations calculated by a finite element procedure were compared to far field power (insertion) losses deduced from flight data. The finite element program modeled the variable geometry of the JT15D inlet and used a uniform flow with a boundary layer roll-off to model the inlet flow field. Calculated liner losses were generally conservative. That is, measured far field power losses were generally greater than attenuations calculated by the finite element computer program.

Lester, H. C.

Flight test of a pure-tone acoustic source

Static and flight testing of a pure-tone acoustic source were conducted in order to: (1) determine if a 4-KHz tone radiated by a source in flight and mixed with broadband aircraft flyover noise could be measured on the ground with a high degree of statistical confidence; (2) determine how well a comparison could be made of flight-to-static tone radiation pattern and a static radiation pattern; and (3) determine if there were any installation effects on the radiation pattern due to the flight vehicle. Narrow-band acoustic data were measured and averaged over eight microphones to obtain a high statistical confidence. The flight data were adjusted to an equivalent static condition by applying corrections for retarded time, spherical spreading, atmospheric absorption, ground impedance, instrumentation constraints, convective amplification, and the Doppler shift. The flight-to-static results are in excellent agreement with the measured static data. No installation effects were observed on the radiation pattern.

Mueller, A. W.

Stochastic analysis of spectral broadening by a free turbulent shear layer

The effect of the time-varying shear layer between a harmonic acoustic source and an observer on the frequency content of the observed sound is considered. Experimental data show that the spectral content of the acoustic signal is considerably broadened upon passing through such a shear layer. Theoretical analysis is presented which shows that such spectral broadening is entirely consistent with amplitude modulation of the acoustic signal by the time-varying shear layer. Thus, no actual frequency shift need be hypothesized to explain the spectral phenomenon. Experimental tests were conducted at 2, 4, and 6 kHz and at free jet flow velocities of 10, 20, and 30 m/s. Analysis of acoustic pressure time histories obtained from these tests confirms the above conclusion, at least for the low Mach numbers considered.

Hardin, J. C.

Spectral variance of aeroacoustic data

An asymptotic technique for estimating the variance of power spectra is applied to aircraft flyover noise data. The results are compared with directly estimated variances and they are in reasonable agreement. The basic time series need not be Gaussian for asymptotic theory to apply. The asymptotic variance formulae can be useful tools both in the design and analysis phase of experiments of this type.

Rao, K. V.

Unsteady fan blade pressure and acoustic radiation from a JT15D-1 turbofan engine at simulated forward speed

Tests have been conducted on a JT15D-1 turbofan engine both statically and at simulated forward speed in the Ames 12 x 24 Meter Wind Tunnel. Both far-field acoustic data and unsteady pressure data from transducers mounted on the fan blades were acquired. Results showed a sound power reduction of about 10 dB in the far-field acoustic levels with simulated forward speed over those measured without forward speed. Blade mounted transducer results showed rotor-turbulence interaction dominated the noise field at very low speeds while an interaction between the rotor and internal struts dominated at higher speeds. Results are presented to show the effects of varying engine rpm, changing the angle-of-attack of the engine inlet to tunnel flow and mounting an aircraft wing to simulate an installation condition on an actual aircraft.

Preisser, J. S.