Diagnostic Evaluation of Jet Noise Suppression Mechanisms

A unified aeroacoustic jet noise prediction method has been developed based on the modeling of principal noise generation and emission mechanisms from first principles. It is demonstrated herein that this jet noise prediction method is a useful diagnostic tool for assessing the relative importance of the various mechanisms for a given nozzle type. The relative contributions of 1) turbulent mixing noise suppression, 2) shock-cell broadband noise suppression, 3) convective amplification suppression, and 4) fluid shielding attenuation have been evaluated for a high element number multichute suppressor to arrive at a plausible explanation for how multielement suppressors suppress jet noise. This explanation, an alternative view to historical conceptions of jet noise suppression, suggests an approach to designing low noise suppressor nozzles.