Analytical, computational, and experimental investigations on the impact of side outlet on the simple expansion chamber with axial outlet

Abstract

In this study, an investigation on the acoustic performance of a simple expansion chamber muffler with side outlet has been presented. The investigation for the muffler is done in the 10–2400 Hz frequency range. The muffler is analyzed analytically, computationally, and experimentally. The computational and analytical modellings of the muffler have been done by using the finite element and transfer matrix methods, respectively for the determination of transmission loss. As the transfer matrix method is unable to capture the higher order modes above the cut-off frequency of the muffler, the finite element method has been adopted as the computational method. Additionally, the accuracy in the analytical and computational modelling of the muffler is checked with the experimental investigation. The two-load method is used in this study for muffler to determine the transmission loss and band power. The side outlet of the muffler introduces an extra impedance due to the shunt element and hence the effectiveness of the muffler can be improved. This muffler shows an overall improvement of 24.73 dB in the transmission loss when compared with the transmission loss of the simple expansion chamber muffler with an axial outlet in 10–2400 Hz frequency range. Specifically, the simple expansion chamber muffler with side outlet is more effective than the simple expansion chamber muffler with an axial outlet in 350–680 Hz, 1040–1350 Hz, 1570–1590 Hz, and 1850–2400 Hz frequency ranges. The comparison among the different techniques shows a fair agreement in the results. The transmission loss, variation of the band power in the 1/3rd octave band, and sound pressure level contours for the muffler at the selected frequencies have been presented. This study offers an advantage in the design of the automotive mufflers.