Reduction of fan noise in an anechoic chamber by reducing chamber wall induced inlet flow disturbances

The difference between the flight and ground static noise of turbofan engines has been identified as a significant problem in engine noise testing. The additional noise for static testing has been attributed to inlet flow disturbances or turbulence interacting with the fan rotor. In an attempt to determine a possible source of inflow disturbances entering fans tested in the Lewis Research Center anechoic chamber the inflow field was studied using potential flow analysis. These potential flow calculations indicated that there was substantial flow over the wall directly behind the fan inlet that could produce significant inflow disturbances. Fan noise tests were run with various extensions added to the fan inlet to move the inlet away from this backwall and thereby reduce the inlet flow disturbances. Significant noise reductions were observed with increased inlet length. Over 5 dB reduction of the blade passage tone sound power level was observed between the shortest and longest inlets at 90% fan speed and the first overtone was reduced 9 dB. High frequency broadband noise was also reduced.