Experimental investigation about the aerodynamic noise caused by hypersonic turbulence

Abstract

In this study, experimental investigations pertaining to aerodynamic noise are conducted in a hypersonic quiet wind tunnel, which possesses the unique capability of operating in both quiet and conventional modes, achieved by controlling the bleed slot to regulate the boundary layer flow. The measurement of aerodynamic noise and analysis of coherent structures of hypersonic turbulence are accomplished employing pressure probes and the nano-tracer-based planar laser scattering technique. The characterization of aerodynamic noise within the freestream unveils that noise generated by turbulent structures on the nozzle wall is the primary factor affecting the turbulence intensity of the freestream flow. Regarding the acoustic radiation noise generated by the turbulence on the nozzle wall, a peak frequency ranging from 54 to 57 kHz is observed in its spectrum within a unit Reynolds number range of 0.3×107–1.1×107 m−1. Under different operation modes, the freestream pitot-pressure data feature the similar spectral slope of f−2.2 and f−12 before and after the aforementioned peak. Through wavelet analysis, scales of the coherent structure in the turbulent boundary layer are examined, revealing that the maximum energy streamwise scale of the coherent structure is approximately 2.47 mm under the unit Reynolds number of 0.7×107 m−1. The product of this scale with the characteristic frequency of 56 kHz obtained from fluctuating pressure measurements is close to the local sound speed of about 140 m/s.