Propagation of waves in elliptic ducts. A theoretical study

The cut-off frequencies for high order circumferential modes were calculated for various eccentricities of an elliptic duct section. The problem was studied with a view to the reduction of jet engine compressor noise by elliptic ducts, instead of circular ducts. The cut-off frequencies for even functions decrease with increasing eccentricity. The third order eigen frequencies are oscillatory as the eccentricity increases for odd functions. The eigen frequencies decrease for higher order odd functions inasmuch as, for higher orders, they assume the same values as those for even functions. Deformation of a circular pipe into an elliptic one of sufficiently large eccentricity produces only a small reduction in the cut-off frequency, provided the area of the pipe section is kept invariable.