DGEN Aeropropulsion Research Turbofan Core/Combustor-Noise Measurements—Experiment and Modal Structure at Core-Nozzle Exit¹

Data from a recent core/combustor-noise source-diagnostic test (SDT) utilizing a small turbofan engine are analyzed. The campaign continued the exploration begun in a baseline test, but with more extensive acoustic instrumentation. Both tests were aimed at developing a better understanding of propulsion-noise sources and their impact on the farfield noise signature, in order to enable improved turbofan noise-prediction methods and noise-mitigation techniques. Simultaneous high-data-rate acoustic measurements (93 channels in total) were obtained using a circumferential sensor array at the core-nozzle exit in conjunction with sideline and farfield microphone arrays for several relevant engine operational points. Measurements were repeated for different circumferential and sideline array configurations, as well as for redundancy. The unsteady pressure field at the core-nozzle exit is documented in detail. Previous work suggested that the ±1 azimuthal duct mode could be cut on at this location, which would have implications for combustor-noise modeling and prediction. The modal decomposition of the combustor noise at the core-nozzle exit verifies this observation. Select farfield sound pressure level (SPL) spectra are also presented.