Transmission of spinning acoustic modes in a slightly non-uniform duct

Abstract The transmission of spinning acoustic modes through a throat in a long cylindrical duct is considered. Gradients in the mean axial flow as well as non-uniform physical boundaries cause back scattering of the incident waves. Only part of the incident wave energy is transmitted. At an axial flow Mach number of 0·6 a substantial attenuation of wave energy is found for throats with reasonable area reduction.