How Chevrons Decrease Broadband Jet Noise in Cruise.

Abstract

Broadband shock noise is reduced because chevrons increase the shear-layer thickness between the flight stream and the jet. It is shown experimentally and with results of a theory of Michalke that this is directly related to a reduction of the axial variation of the pressure amplitudes in the mean flow field of the jet. Since broadband shock noise is the result of an interaction between the turbulence in a jet and the axial variation of the mean flow field the chevrons yield a reduced noise emission. The effects of chevrons on the sound emission from nozzles operating at underexpanded conditions are demonstrated with experimental results. In a cruise condition with a flight Mach number 0.85, the chevron nozzle yields a lower broadband shock noise. It is shown experimentally as well as with the theory of Michalke that chevrons reduce the shock cell spacing, which explains the higher frequencies for broadband shock noise.