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At least 91 records · Page 5

A Theoretical Basis for the Scaling Law of Broadband Shock Noise Intensity in Supersonic Jets

A theoretical basis for the scaling of broadband shock noise intensity In supersonic jets was formulated considering linear shock-shear wave interaction. Modeling of broadband shock noise with the aid of shock-turbulence interaction with special reference to linear theories is briefly reviewed. An hypothesis has been postulated that the peak angle of incidence (closer to the critical angle) for the shear wave primarily governs the generation of sound in the interaction process with the noise generation contribution from off-peak incident angles being relatively unimportant. The proposed hypothesis satisfactorily explains the well-known scaling law for the broadband shock-associated noise in supersonic jets.

Kandula, Max↗

Transonic Tones and Excess Broadband Noise in Overexpanded Supersonic Jets

Noise characteristics of convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzles in the overexpanded regime are the focus of this paper. The flow regime is encountered during takeoff and landing of certain airplanes and also with rocket nozzles in launch-pad environment. Experimental results from laboratory-scale single nozzles are discussed. The flow often undergoes a resonance accompanied by emission of tones (referred to as transonic tones). The phenomenon is different from the well-known screech tones. Unlike screech, the frequency increases with increasing supply pressure. There is a staging behavior odd harmonic stages occur at lower pressures while the fundamental occurs in a range of relatively higher pressures. A striking feature is that tripping of the nozzle s internal boundary layer tends to suppress the resonance. However, even in the absence of tones the broadband levels are found to be high. That is, relative to a convergent case and at same pressure ratio, the C-D nozzles are found to be noisier, often by more than 10dB. This excess broadband noise (referred to as EBBN) is further explored. Its characteristics are found to be different from the well-known broadband shockassociated noise ( BBSN ). For example, while the frequency of the BBSN peak varies with observation angle no such variation is noted with EBBN. The mechanisms of the transonic tone and the EBBN are not completely understood yet. They appear to be due to unsteady shock motion inside the nozzle. The shock drives the flow downstream like a vibrating diaphragm, and resonance takes place similarly as with acoustic resonance of a conical section having one end closed and the other end open. When the boundary layer is tripped, apparently a breakdown of azimuthal coherence suppresses the resonance. However, there is still unsteady shock motion albeit with superimposed randomness. Such random motion of the internal shock and its interaction with the separated boundary layer produces the EBBN.

Zaman, Khairul B. M. Q.↗

New Broadband LIDAR for Greenhouse Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensing in the Earth's Atmosphere

We present demonstration of a novel broadband lidar technique capable of dealing with the atmospherically induced variations in CO2 absorption using a Fabry-Perot based detector and a broadband laser. The Fabry-Perot solid etalon in the receiver part is tuned to match the wavelength of several CO2 absorption lines simultaneously. The broadband technique tremendously reduces the requirement for source wavelength stability, instead putting this responsibility on the Fabry- Perot based receiver. The instrument technology we are developing has a clear pathway to space and realistic potential to become a robust, low risk space measurement system.

Georgieva, Elena↗

Thermally Resilient, Broadband Optical Absorber from UV to IR Derived from Carbon Nanostructures

Optical absorber coatings have been developed from carbon-based paints, metal blacks, or glassy carbon. However, such materials are not truly black and have poor absorption characteristics at longer wavelengths. The blackness of such coatings is important to increase the accuracy of calibration targets used in radiometric imaging spectrometers since blackbody cavities are prohibitively large in size. Such coatings are also useful potentially for thermal detectors, where a broadband absorber is desired. Au-black has been a commonly used broadband optical absorber, but it is very fragile and can easily be damaged by heat and mechanical vibration. An optically efficient, thermally rugged absorber could also be beneficial for thermal solar cell applications for energy harnessing, particularly in the 350-2,500 nm spectral window. It has been demonstrated that arrays of vertically oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs), specifically multi-walled-carbon- nanotubes (MWCNTs), are an exceptional optical absorber over a broad range of wavelengths well into the infrared (IR). The reflectance of such arrays is 100x lower compared to conventional black materials, such as Au black in the spectral window of 350-2,500 nm. Total hemispherical measurements revealed a reflectance of approximately equal to 1.7% at lambda approximately equal to 1 micrometer, and at longer wavelengths into the infrared (IR), the specular reflectance was approximately equal to 2.4% at lambda approximately equal to 7 micrometers. The previously synthesized CNTs for optical absorber applications were formed using water-assisted thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which yields CNT lengths in excess of 100's of microns. Vertical alignment, deemed to be a critical feature in enabling the high optical absorption from CNT arrays, occurs primarily via the crowding effect with thermal CVD synthesized CNTs, which is generally not effective in aligning CNTs with lengths less than 10 m. Here it has been shown that the electric field inherent in a plasma yields vertically aligned CNTs at small length scales (less than 10 m), which still exhibit broadband, and high-efficiency optical absorption characteristics from the ultraviolet (UV) to IR. A thin and yet highly absorbing coating is extremely valuable for detector applications for radiometry in order to enhance sensitivity. A plasma-based process also increases the potential of forming the optical absorbers at lower synthesis temperatures in the future, increasing the prospects of integrating the absorbers with flexible substrates for low-cost solar cell applications, for example.

Kaul, Anupama B.↗

Temperature Sensing Above 1000 C Using Cr-Doped GdAlO3 Spin-Allowed Broadband Luminescence

Cr-doped GdAlO3 (Cr:GdAlO3) is shown to produce remarkably high-intensity spin-allowed broadband luminescence with sufficiently long decay times to make effective luminescence-decay-time based temperature measurements above 1000 C. This phosphor is therefore an attractive alternative to the much lower luminescence intensity rare-earth-doped thermographic phosphors that are typically utilized at these elevated temperatures. In particular, Cr:GdAlO3 will be preferred over rare-earth-doped phosphors, such as Dy:YAG, at temperatures up to 1200 C for intensity-starved situations when the much lower emission intensity from rare-earth-doped phosphors is insufficient for accurate temperature measurements in the presence of significant radiation background. While transition-metal-doped phosphors such as Cr:Al2O3 (ruby) are known to exhibit high luminescence intensity at low dopant concentrations, quenching due to nonradiative decay pathways competing with the (sup 2)E to (sup 4)A(sub 2) radiative transition (R line) has typically restricted their use for temperature sensing to below 600 C. Thermal quenching of the broadband (sup 4)T(sub 2) to (sup 4)A(sub 2) radiative transition from Cr:GdAlO3, however, is delayed until much higher temperatures (above 1000 C). This spin-allowed broadband emission persists to high temperatures because the lower-lying (sup 2)E energy level acts as a reservoir to thermally populate the higher shorter-lived (sup 4)T(sub 2) energy level and because the activation energy for nonradiative crossover relaxation from the (sup 4)T(sub 2) level to the (sup 4)A(sub 2) ground state is high. The strong crystal field associated with the tight bonding of the AlO6 octahedra in the GdAlO3 perovskite structure is responsible for this behavior.

Eldridge, Jeffrey I.↗

HCIT Broadband Contrast Performance Sensitivity Studies

One of the important milestones of the TPF Coronagraph project is to demonstrate the ability to predict the performance sensitivities of the system at levels consistent with exo-planet detection requirement. We want to gain some general understanding about the potentials and the limitations of the current single-Deformable-Mirror (DM) High-contrast imaging testbed (HCIT) system through modeling and simulations. Specifically, we want to understand the effects of some common errors on the EFC-based control of e-field over a half dark-hole region and broadband contrast. Investigated errors include: (1) Absorbing particles on a flat-mirror (2) Defects on the Occulter surface (3) Dead actuators on the DM. We also investigated the effects of control bandwidth on the broadband contrast. We used a MACOS-based simulation algorithm which (1) combines a ray trace, diffraction model, & a broadband wavefront control algorithm (2) is capable of performing full three-dimensional near-field diffraction analysis

exoplanets↗

Shielding of Turbomachinery Broadband Noise from a Hybrid Wing Body Aircraft Configuration

The results of an experimental study on the effects of engine placement and vertical tail configuration on shielding of exhaust broadband noise radiation are presented. This study is part of the high fidelity aeroacoustic test of a 5.8% scale Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) aircraft configuration performed in the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center. Broadband Engine Noise Simulators (BENS) were used to determine insertion loss due to shielding by the HWB airframe of the broadband component of turbomachinery noise for different airframe configurations and flight conditions. Acoustics data were obtained from flyover and sideline microphones traversed to predefined streamwise stations. Noise measurements performed for different engine locations clearly show the noise benefit associated with positioning the engine nacelles further upstream on the HWB centerbody. Positioning the engine exhaust 2.5 nozzle diameters upstream (compared to 0.5 nozzle diameters downstream) of the HWB trailing edge was found of particular benefit in this study. Analysis of the shielding performance obtained with and without tunnel flow show that the effectiveness of the fuselage shielding of the exhaust noise, although still significant, is greatly reduced by the presence of the free stream flow compared to static conditions. This loss of shielding is due to the turbulence in the model near-wake/boundary layer flow. A comparison of shielding obtained with alternate vertical tail configurations shows limited differences in level; nevertheless, overall trends regarding the effect of cant angle and vertical location are revealed. Finally, it is shown that the vertical tails provide a clear shielding benefit towards the sideline while causing a slight increase in noise below the aircraft.

Hutcheson, Florence V.↗

Statistically Based Approach to Broadband Liner Design and Assessment

A broadband liner design optimization includes utilizing in-duct attenuation predictions with a statistical fan source model to obtain optimum impedance spectra over a number of flow conditions for one or more liner locations in a bypass duct. The predicted optimum impedance information is then used with acoustic liner modeling tools to design liners having impedance spectra that most closely match the predicted optimum values. Design selection is based on an acceptance criterion that provides the ability to apply increasing weighting to specific frequencies and/or operating conditions. One or more broadband design approaches are utilized to produce a broadband liner that targets a full range of frequencies and operating conditions.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

On Theoretical Broadband Shock-Associated Noise Near-Field Cross-Spectra

The cross-spectral acoustic analogy is used to predict auto-spectra and cross-spectra of broadband shock-associated noise in the near-field and far-field from a range of heated and unheated supersonic off-design jets. A single equivalent source model is proposed for the near-field, mid-field, and far-field terms, that contains flow-field statistics of the shock wave shear layer interactions. Flow-field statistics are modeled based upon experimental observation and computational fluid dynamics solutions. An axisymmetric assumption is used to reduce the model to a closed-form equation involving a double summation over the equivalent source at each shock wave shear layer interaction. Predictions are compared with a wide variety of measurements at numerous jet Mach numbers and temperature ratios from multiple facilities. Auto-spectral predictions of broadband shock-associated noise in the near-field and far-field capture trends observed in measurement and other prediction theories. Predictions of spatial coherence of broadband shock-associated noise accurately capture the peak coherent intensity, frequency, and spectral width.

Miller, Steven A. E.↗

The Broadband Spectral Variability of Holmberg IX X-1

We present results from four new broadband X-ray observations of the extreme ultraluminous X-ray source Holmberg IX X-1 (L (sub X) greater than 10 (sup 40) ergs per second), performed by Suzaku and NuSTAR in coordination. Combined with the archival data, we now have broadband observations of this remarkable source from six separate epochs. Two of these new observations probe lower fluxes than seen previously, allowing us to extend our knowledge of the broadband spectral variability exhibited. The spectra are well fit by two thermal blackbody components that dominate the emission below 10 kiloelectronvolts, as well as a steep (Gamma approximately equal to 3.5) power-law tail thatdominates above approximately 15 kiloelectronvolts. Remarkably, while the 0.3-10.0 kiloelectronvolts flux varies by a factor of approximately 3 between all these epochs, the 15-40 kiloelectronvolts flux varies by only approximately 20 percent. Although the spectral variability is strongest in the approximately 1-10 kiloelectronvolts band, both of the thermal components are required to vary when all epochs are considered. We also revisit the search for iron absorption features by leveraging the high-energy NuSTAR data to improve our sensitivity to extreme velocity outflows in light of the ultra-fast outflow recently detected in NGC 1313 X-1. Iron absorption from a similar outflow along our line of sight can be ruled out in this case. We discuss these results in the context of super-Eddington accretion models that invoke a funnel-like geometry for the inner flow, and propose a scenario in which we have an almost face-on view of a funnel that expands to larger radii with increasing flux, resulting in an increasing degree of geometrical collimation for the emission from intermediate-temperature regions.

X-rays: binaries↗

Coordinated Satellite Observations of the Very Low Frequency Transmission Through the Ionospheric D Layer at Low Latitudes, Using Broadband Radio Emissions from Lightning

Both ray theory and full-wave models of very low frequency transmission through the ionospheric D layer predict that the transmission is greatly suppressed near the geomagnetic equator. We use data from the low-inclination Communication/Navigation Outage Forecast System satellite to test this semiquantitatively, for broadband very low frequency emissions from lightning. Approximate ground-truthing of the incident wavefields in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide is provided by the World Wide Lightning Location Network. Observations of the wavefields at the satellite are provided by the Vector Electric Field Instrument aboard the satellite. The data set comprises whistler observations with the satellite at magnetic latitudes<26deg. Thus, our conclusions, too, must be limited to the near-equatorial region and are not necessarily predictive of midlatitude whistler properties. We find that in most broadband recordings of radio waves at the satellite, very few of the lightning strokes result in a detectable radio pulse at the satellite. However, in a minority of the recordings, there is enhanced transmission of very low frequency lightning emissions through the D layer, at a level exceeding model predictions by at least an order of magnitude. We show that kilometric-scale D-layer irregularities may be implicated in the enhanced transmission. This observation of sporadic enhancements at low magnetic latitude, made with broadband lightning emissions, is consistent with an earlier review of D-layer transmission for transmission from powerful man-made radio beacons.

Jacobson, Abram R.↗

Design and Acoustic Efficacy of a Broadband Liner for the Inlet of the DGEN Aero-Propulsion Research Turbofan

Advanced fan designs (including higher bypass ratios) and shorter engine nacelles have highlighted a need for increased fan noise reduction over a broader frequency range. With these observations in mind, an acoustic liner optimization process has been developed to achieve improved broadband liner designs. A series of advanced liner design studies at increasing technology readiness levels have been conducted as the overall optimization methodology has been enhanced. As part of the analysis, the overall design and evaluation capability was extended such that external observer locations may be included in the optimization process. This enhancement will provide a much wider design space in designing advanced broadband liners. In this work, further validation was pursued through the fabrication and testing of two liner designs for the NASA Glenn DGEN Aero-propulsion Research Turbofan (DART). The DART was used to document the efficacy of acoustic liners installed in the inlet of the DGEN380. An advanced Multi-Degree of Freedom Liner was designed, fabricated, and tested, along with a traditional Single-Degree-of-Freedom Liner, and those results compared to a hardwall baseline inlet. Farfield acoustic data were acquired from and external array, evaluated and reported herein terms of overall, broadband, and tonal components of the insertion loss. The predicted attenuation results generally matched expected trends of the measured data for the conditions considered.

Liners↗

Evaluation of Variable Facesheet Liner Configurations for Broadband Noise Reduction

This paper investigates the broadband noise reduction properties of a distributed (variable) facesheet liner. Candidate uniform samples are selected using the Wave Propagation Model and Two-Parameter Model developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. Three uniform and one distributed facesheet samples are tested in the Normal Incidence Tube (NIT) at NASA Langley. Initial results show that the distributed facesheet sample possesses broadband noise reduction properties. Acoustic impedances educed from these NIT tests are used as inputs into the Convected Helmholtz Equation (CHE) propagation code developed at NASA Langley to synthesize the acoustic pressure field in the Grazing Flow Impedance Tube (GFIT) with no flow. Three uniform, one distributed, as well as one three-zone liner, oriented in two different directions, are investigated. Preliminary results showed the distributed facesheet and three-zone liners exhibit broadband noise reduction properties.

M C Brown↗

Computational Prediction of Broadband Noise from a Representative Unmanned Aerial System Rotor

This work details the application of a lattice-Boltzmann method–very-large-eddy simulation (LBM-VLES) employed by the software suite, PowerFLOW. This LBM-VLES simulation predicted the aeroacoustic noise emanating from a representative, small unmanned aircraft system rotor, namely, the DJI-9450 in a hover condition. Predicted total aerodynamic loading as well as 2D aerodynamic loading along discrete spanwise sections of a rotor blade were compared to lower fidelity predictions and experimental results acquired in the Structural Acoustic Loads and Transmission anechoic chamber facility at the NASA Langley Research Center. The total acoustic spectra were decomposed into tonal and broadband components, which showed that broadband noise was a dominant contributor above 1 kHz for this rotor. These data were then compared to experimentally acquired data, showing good agreement up to approximately 11 kHz. Above 11 kHz, however, a grid sensitivity study showed dependency of the highest resolvable frequency on the spatial resolution of the computational domain, explaining the roll off in predicted data. Individual broadband noise sources were further investigated by calculating one-third octave sound pressure levels of the unsteady pressure fluctuations acting on the rotor, providing evidence that blade self-noise was the prominent noise source. Using these results, blade wake interaction noise was seen to be negligible for this particular rotor, which was further validated by calculating blade vortex miss distances and comparing to theory.

Christopher S. Thurman↗

BIRCHES and Lunarcubes: Building the First Deep Space Cubesat Broadband IR Spectrometer

The Broadband InfraRed Compact High-resolution Exploration Spectrometer (BIRCHES), which will be described in detail here, is the compact broadband IR spectrometer of the Lunar Ice Cube mission. Lunar Ice Cube is one of 13 6U cubesats that will be deployed by EM1 in cislunar space, qualifying as lunarcubes. The LunarCube paradigm is a proposed approach for extending the affordable CubeSat standard to support access to deep space via cis-lunar/lunar missions. Because the lunar environment contains analogs of most solar system environments, the Moon is an ideal target for both testing critical deep space capabilities and understanding solar system formation and processes. Effectively, as developments are occurring in parallel, 13 prototype deep space cubesats are being flown for EM1. One useful outcome of this ‘experiment’ will be to determine to what extent it is possible to develop a lunarcube ‘bus’ with standardized interfaces to all subsystems using reasonable protocols for a variety of payloads. The lunar ice cube mission was developed as the test case in a GSFC R&D study to determine whether the cubesat paradigm could be applied to deep space, science requirements driven missions, and BIRCHES was its payload. Here, we present the design and describe the ongoing development, and testing, in the context of the challenges of using the cubesat paradigm to fly a broadband IR spectrometer in a 6U platform, including minimal funding and extensive need for leveraging existing assets and relationships on development, the foreshortened schedule for payload delivery on testing, and minimum bandwidth translating into simplified or canned operation.

Chapin, Peter↗

Identification and Prediction of Broadband Noise for a Small Quadcopter

The growing interest in the noise of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in operation has motivated this study to characterize and predict broadband rotor noise sources. This paper analyzes the performance and acoustic data collected from two sets of wind tunnel experiments for hover and forward flight operating conditions. The first set of data is a result of testing a representative vehicle configuration of the Straight Up Imaging (SUI) Endurance quadcopter, while the second set of data represents an isolated rotor from the same vehicle. Following the analysis of the empirical data, a broadband noise prediction methodology is employed to compare with the experiments. This methodology uses NASA’s ROTONET and BARC tools to predict blade loading and self-noise at conditions matching the wind tunnel experiments. This methodology is effective at predicting the broadband noise at certain conditions. Furthermore, some predictions are repeated with the inflow conditions calculated by the rotorcraft analysis tool CAMRAD II, which shows improved prediction results for cases with nonuniform inflow. This work confirms some of the unique challenges associated with testing small rotor configurations, explores the limitations of this prediction methodology, and suggests improvements that can be made for future studies.

Nicole A Pettingill↗

Influence of the Perception Constraint, Observer Position, and Broadband Self-Noise on Low-Fidelity UAM Vehicle Perception-Influenced-Design (PID) Optimization

This paper will present an approach in design optimization of a proprotor in a forward flight condition with several acoustic objective functions that simulate community response. An adjoint-capable blade element momentum theory (BEMT), implemented in CCBlade.jl, will be used to compute the blade forces and inflow properties required to compute tonal and broadband noise using the second-generation Aircraft NOise Prediction Program (ANOPP2). The influence of broadband noise, observer location, and choice of perception constraint on optimized values of rotation rate, chord distribution, and twist angle will be shown. It is determined that broadband self-noise is an influential source noise mechanism in the design optimization when frequency weighting is used to predict the noise at an out-of-plane observer position.

acoustics↗