Jet screech from underexpanded sonic nozzles has been investigated experimentally. Multiple screech modes, or stages, are found to be present at some jet operating conditions. The fundamental screech tone of each mode attains a maximum amplitude at about 20 deg from the inlet axis, with higher harmonics exhibiting multiple lobes. The directivity of each harmonic is predicted quite well from a stationary array of acoustic monopoles, with phasing between consecutive monopoles determined by the shock cell spacing and eddy convection velocity. Large reduction of screech amplitude can be obtained from modifications to the nozzle exit, although the extent of this suppression is mode dependent.

Screech suppression in supersonic jets

Free underexpanded jets in a quiescent medium: A review

This paper provides an assessment from an experimental point of view of the present understanding of high speed jet noise primarily as it pertains to shock containing supersonic jet plumes. The nature of this assessment involves an examination of the complex flow and related acoustic field associated with this problem. A certain emphasis is placed on prediction of the near acoustic field to satisfy a motivation driven by a new set of guiding principles, namely the high performance tactical fighter and second generation space transportation vehicles. The review concludes that after weighing all the experimental evidence, only after consideration of the role of large scale coherent structure is adopted can a consistent unifying theme be achieved to physically interpret and properly predict noise generation by the fundamental mechanisms.

Advances in high speed jet aeroacoustics

Broadband shock noise from supersonic jets is investigated through acoustic measurements in both the near and far fields. The peak Helmholtz number of broadband shock noise from unheated convergent nozzles is found to be independent of nozzle pressure ratio when based on the length of the shock cells and the ambient speed of sound. Excellent agreement between power spectral densities measured at various far-field angles is obtained at and above the peak shock noise frequency when source convection and directivity effects are included. The directivity of broadband shock noise is found to be pointed in the upstream direction, with omnidirectionality being approached only at high pressure ratios. For both convergent and convergent-divergent nozzles, the relative importance of shock noise with respect to jet-mixing noise is found to be maximum near the pressure ratio at which a Mach disk begins to form in the jet. Near-field measurements point to a limited portion of the shock cell system as the region of dominant broadband noise emission from a highly underexpanded convergent nozzle.

Broadband Shock Noise from Supersonic Jets

Aerodynamic and acoustic measurements of shock-free and shock-containing plumes were acquired for several supersonic free-jet model nozzles. The purpose was to investigate important features of the broadband shock noise generation process. The aerodynamic measurements include the variation of shock cell spacing and strength as a function of nozzle pressure ratio, and longitudinal turbulent-mass-flux axial development as determined by a hot-film probe. In addition, correlations of the hot-film probe with a near-field microphone were obtained. These measurements provide useful information concerning the relation of peak shock noise frequency and level with variations in shock cell spacing and strength. In general, it is shown that a distinction must be made between plumes containing weak and strong imbedded shocks. Strong shocks diminish the level of emitted shock noise and influence the behavior of the jet mixing noise process. The probable location and spectral content for the shock-shear layer interaction mechanism is indicated by the correlations. Numerical inviscid plume comparisons with experimental data are also included.

Aerodynamic aspects of shock containing jet plumes

The paper examines the aeroacoustics associated with model nozzles operating supersonically. In particular, the shock structure and radiated shock noise of Mach 1.5 and 2.0 nozzles are compared with those of a convergent nozzle over a wide nozzle pressure ratio range corresponding to a fully expanded Mach number between unity and 2.37. The nozzles were operated unheated both with and without a tab for screech tone suppression. The measurements show differences between the shock cell spacing of convergent and convergent-divergent nozzles, and the scaling relation appears to be a function of the exit-to-throat velocity ratio of each nozzle type. The acoustic measurements indicate the extent of the pressure ratio range where a C-D nozzle achieves a noise reduction benefit. At the design point of the Mach 1.5 nozzle, the total integrated sound power from this nozzle is 6 dB less than a convergent nozzle operating at the same pressure ratio and thrust

T. D. Norum

Papers

Experiments of shock associated noise of supersonic jets