English

Flexural wave modulation and mitigation in airfoils using acoustic black holes

Applied Physics 2021-07-07 v1

Abstract

This study introduces a framework for the design and implementation of acoustic black holes (ABHs) in airfoils. A generalized multi-parameter damped-ABH generation function is mapped onto NACA series airfoils. Representative geometries and a uniformly distributed baseline, all with the same mass of structure and damping are fabricated using multi-material PolyJet 3D printing. Laser Doppler vibrometer measurements along the airfoil chord in response to a broadband 0.1 - 12 kHz excitation show a decrease in trailing edge vibrations by as much as 10 dB, a broadband 5 dB reduction across the entire chord as well as substantial spatial and temporal modulation of flexural waves by ABH-embedded foils. Finite element analysis (FEA) models are developed and validated based on the measured data. Furthermore, a parametric FEA study is performed on a set of comparable designs to elucidate the scope of modulation achievable. These findings are applicable to trailing-edge noise reduction, flow control, structural enhancement and energy harvesting for airfoils.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2104.07374,
  title  = {Flexural wave modulation and mitigation in airfoils using acoustic black holes},
  author = {Kaushik Sampath and Caleb F Sieck and Matthew D Guild and Alec K Ikei and Charles A Rohde},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2104.07374},
  year   = {2021}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-24T01:11:43.070Z