Noise Attenuation Panel With Interconnected Cells For Low Frequency Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing noise attenuation panels in gas turbine engines, particularly those with a honeycomb structure, are ineffective in reducing low-frequency noise due to their resonance frequency limitations, which require a small neck diameter and large body volume, making them bulky and unsuitable for space-constrained areas.

Innovation Solution

The noise attenuation panel interconnects cells via communication holes, with one cell preventing gas flow, allowing the panel to function as a series of Helmholtz resonators with a lowered resonance frequency, enabling a thinner design suitable for space-constrained areas like guide vanes, by optimizing the distance between the inlet hole and the end cell and using a honeycomb structure for structural stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional Helmholtz resonator design is used with small neck diameter and large body volume to achieve low frequency noise attenuation, then the resonance frequency is lowered, but the panel depth becomes large and unsuitable for space-constrained areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise attenuation effectivenessVSAvoidpanel depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is divided into multiple cells arranged in series between the first and second walls, with partition walls creating separate compartments. This segmentation allows the acoustic treatment to be distributed across multiple smaller units rather than requiring a single large-depth cavity, thereby reducing the overall panel depth while maintaining low-frequency noise attenuation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cells are nested in series between the first and second walls, with each cell containing a portion of the acoustic treatment function. The cells are arranged such that they occupy space more efficiently than a single large cavity, nesting the acoustic function within a compact depth profile that fits space-constrained areas like guide vanes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the panel depth is reduced to fit space-constrained areas, then the panel becomes suitable for positions like guide vanes, but the low frequency noise attenuation capability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to different engine positionsVSAvoidlow frequency noise attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic treatment function is segmented into multiple cells that can be arranged in series within the available space. This allows the panel to adapt to different depth constraints in various engine positions while maintaining the cumulative acoustic treatment effect needed for low-frequency noise attenuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying solely on increasing depth in one dimension to achieve low-frequency attenuation, the invention uses multiple cells arranged in series between the walls, effectively utilizing the surface area and cellular arrangement to achieve the acoustic effect within reduced depth, thereby enabling adaptation to various engine positions with different spatial constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If more through holes are added to increase gas flow, then the noise attenuation panel can treat more positions, but the structural stability of the honeycomb pattern is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of positions for noise attenuationVSAvoidhoneycomb structural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Through holes are selectively provided only in the first wall rather than distributed across all walls and partition walls. This local placement allows gas flow and noise attenuation functionality while preserving the structural integrity of the honeycomb pattern in the second wall and partition walls, maintaining structural stability while enabling adaptability to multiple engine positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design effectively attenuates low-frequency noise with a minimal depth requirement, allowing for the panel's use in more positions within the engine, including guide vanes, while maintaining structural stability under pressure conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the cells of the honeycomb material act as a Helmholtz resonator when they communicate with the outside. This provides an acoustic panel which absorbs the noise over a certain range of frequencies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelmholtz resonance: Helmholtz Resonance

Implementation Method 2

viscous forces in the neck (through hole) together with nonlinear effects serves as the damping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2478202B1A noise attenuation panel and a gas turbine component comprising a noise attenuation panel
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 GKN AEROSPACE SWEDEN AB
  • EP2478202B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2478202B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2478202B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a noise attenuation panel (20,21,22) comprising a first wall (31), a second wall (32) and partition walls (33,34) connected to the first and second walls (31,32) and defining cells (35,36,37) between the first and second walls (31,32), wherein the first wall (31) is provided with a plurality of through holes (40). At least two of said cells (35,36,37) are interconnected via a communication hole (38,39). One of said through holes (40) leads to a first (35) of said at least two interconnected cells and a second (37) of said interconnected cells is configured to prevent any gas flow through the second cell.