An Evaluation of Active Noise Control in a Cylindrical Shell

Abstract

This paper examines the physical mechanisms governing the use of active noise control in an extended volume of a cylindrical shell. Measured data were compared with computed results from a previously derived analytical model based on infinite shell theory. For both the analytical model and experiment, the radiation of external monopoles is coupled to the internal acoustic field through the radial displacement of the thin, elastic, cylindrical shell. An active noise control system was implemented inside the cylinder using a fixed array of discrete monopole sources, all of which lie in the plane of the exterior noise sources. Good agreement between measurement and prediction was obtained for both internal pressure response and overall noise reduction. Attenuations in the source plane greater than 15 dB were recorded along with a uniformly quieted noise environment over an indicative length inside the experimental model. Results indicate that for forced responses with extended axial distributions, axial arrays of control sources may be required. Finally, the Nyquist criteria for the number of azimuthal control sources is shown to provide for effective control over the full cylinder cross section.