In-Flight Deployable Micro Devices in Noise Control: Design and Evaluation

In this paper, time-accurate RANS simulations and FWH acoustic analogy were carried to study the three-dimensional unsteady flowfield and acoustic components around a three-element high-lift wing with and without micro devices. Micro devices are designed to be attached to the pressure side of the high lift surface near its trailing-edge to help reduce the noise generated. The analysis revealed that with the deployment of the micro device, along with reduced high-lift device setting angles, an overall airframe noise reduction of 2–5 dB is obtained over the entire frequency range. Noise reduction in the mid-frequency range, where human hearing is the most sensitive to, was particularly evident. As seen in an earlier 2D study by the authors, the application of the micro device caused strong aerodynamic force oscillations, resulting in a tone spike at a very low frequency. However, looking at the A-weighted scale sound pressure level spectrum, noise sources from the high-lift devices still dominated and it was the slat noise which dominated the overall 1/3 octave band sound pressure level. Through the reduced high-lift setting angles and the micro device application, an overall 2.3 dB noise reduction was achieved. Based on the current three-dimensional and the previous two-dimensional acoustic study results, micro devices designed by the authors demonstrated its potential to be applied onto commercial airliners as well as any aerial platforms for the use in airframe noise reduction during approach to landing phase of flight.Copyright © 2011 by ASME