Aeroacoustic improvements during Lift-off of Launch Vehicles
- Autores: Mara Salut Escartí Guillem
- Directores de la Tesis: Juan Fayos Sancho (dir. tes.), Sergio Hoyas Calvo (dir. tes.), Lluís Miquel García Raffi (dir. tes.)
- Lectura: En la Universitat Politècnica de València ( España ) en 2024
- Idioma: inglés
- Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: Ricardo Vinuesa Motilva (presid.), Oriol Guasch (secret.), Anne Marie Schreyer (voc.)
- Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Diseño, Fabricación y Gestión de Proyectos Industriales por la Universitat Politècnica de València
- Menciones:
- Internacional
- Calificación: Sobresaliente Cum Laude
- Materias:
- Enlaces
- Tesis en acceso abierto en: RiuNet
- Resumen
The research carried out as part of this industrial doctorate at COMET Ingeniería and the Universitat Politècnica de València addresses the critical problem of vibro-acoustic loads during the liftoff phase of space launchers. These are a threat to the integrity of the payload. The approach is to improve the vibroacoustic behaviour of launch vehicles by developing mitigation technologies and a numerical prediction methodology. Two phases have been identified: predicting the generation and propagation of aeroacoustic noise and designing noise mitigation systems.
The objective in aeroacoustic prediction is twofold: to address the inaccurate prediction of the acoustic load during launch and to understand the mechanisms that modify the acoustic field. The hostile conditions of this environment limit the measurement of the noise emitted by a launch vehicle. Therefore, we have proposed a numerical method based on the same equations to solve the noise generation and propagation with CFD. The first strategy we propose is a URANS model, which offers computational feasibility with the ability to compute ensemble-averaged flow fields while retaining the transient term. The second strategy is an LES, which provides higher accuracy in a code designed for efficient GPU computing.
The study simulates the acoustic environment during the launch of a VEGA rocket with both strategies. The CFD models have been validated using data from real launches, demonstrating their effectiveness in predicting shock waves, turbulent flow and acoustic field propagation. The study also explores the impact of baffles on acoustic loads, emphasising the importance of baffle choice and shape. In addition to the near-field of the rocket jet, the pressure field in the cowling is studied as a novelty in this work.
For noise mitigation, the research focuses on acoustic metamaterials based on Helmholtz resonators. This solution can provide near-perfect absorption within the sub-wavelength range and is fully tunable. The proposed approach is based on two steps to reduce the acoustic field entering the coping. First, the noise in the propagation path on the platform is reduced, which decreases the broadband noise towards the coping. Secondly, the TL of the coping shell is increased, which reduces the incoming SPL, and internal absorption is maximised to attenuate reverberation. Three metamaterial designs have been realised: RTA for the launch pad, SRA for the fairing and CHAR for multifunctional applications in the fairing.
Experimental campaigns validate the effectiveness of these metamaterials in noise reduction, with outstanding achievements in absorption coefficients and transmission loss. The combination of RTA and SRA in the VEGA launcher results in an OASPL reduction of 7.8 dB. In addition, CHAR has been designed to incorporate Helmholtz resonators into the sandwich composite structure of the shell, with the aim of improving both structural properties and acoustic energy absorption while providing a lightweight material. Two types of cores are explored, with the hexagonal design being the most efficient in terms of mass and structural performance.
The findings present an innovative two-stage technique to decrease the acoustic loads reaching the fairing during take-off, reducing the risk of technical failure. The proposed solution outperforms existing noise reduction materials, offering customisable design options tailored to specific acoustic environments. In addition, the metamaterials exhibit a unique capability for near-perfect absorption at specific frequencies, showing their potential for practical applications in the aerospace industry.
