Portable acoustic impedance data acquisition and analysis system

• US 5,684,251 A
• Filed: 03/28/1995
• Issued: 11/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Kay, Shepard G., Parente, Charles A., Arcas, Noe
• Primary Examiner(s): Oda, Christine K.
• Application Number:
  US08/412,387
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 73/1 DV, 73/589, 73/585, 73/588
• US Class Current: 73/589
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02491 Materials with nonlinear acoustic properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02836 Flow rate, liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02863 Electric or magnetic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02872 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2694 Wings or other aircraft parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/09 by measuring mechanical or acoustic impedance

Abstract

A portable two microphone acoustic impedance data acquisition and analysis system provided in a lightweight, fully portable, battery powered instrument with a dual capability of either on-site or remote-site analysis of measured data on the acoustic impedance of acoustically absorbing duct liners of aircraft jet engines. The fully portable instrument is capable of being operated by relatively unskilled personnel to provide acoustic impedance and non-linearity measurements on acoustic liners at airports and aircraft maintenance facilities. The measured data on the engine duct acoustic liner can be an input directly to the data analysis system at the data acquisition site for on-site analysis, or can be recorded for input to a data analysis system at a later time, or can be recorded and transmitted, such as by a telephone modem, to a data analysis system at a remote-site. The remote-site analysis of data eliminates the requirement for skilled personnel at the aircraft to perform the relatively complex data analysis procedures.

Claims

1. A portable acoustic impedance data acquisition and processing system comprising:

a. an audio source, comprising a digital audio tape player having a mini disc storage, for providing an audio output test signal;

b. a test head including a cylindrical waveguide having an open test end adapted to be placed against a test object, first and second pressure transducers mounted in the wall of the cylindrical waveguide flush with the interior wall thereof, with the first pressure transducer being positioned near the open end of the waveguide, and the second pressure transducer being spaced along the cylindrical waveguide from the first pressure transducer, and an acoustic signal generator for producing an acoustic signal within the cylindrical waveguide;

c. a power amplifier, coupled to the audio source, for amplifying the audio output test signal, and directing the amplified audio output signal to the acoustic signal generator of the test head;

d. an audio recorder, comprising a digital audio tape recorder having a mini disc storage, coupled to the outputs of the first and second pressure transducers, for recording the outputs of the first and second pressure transducers, whereby the portable acoustic impedance data acquisition system is completely compatible with standard personal computers;

e. a battery power supply for providing electrical power to the audio source, the first and second pressure transducers, the power amplifier, and the audio recorder, such that the data acquisition system is completely portable;

f. an audio player for playing back acoustic data signals previously recorded by the audio recorder;

g. a spectral analyzer, coupled to the audio player, which is programmed to perform desired acoustic analyses on the recorded acoustic data signals;

h. a printer, coupled to the spectral analyzer, for printing output graphs or reports as directed; and

g. a modem transmitter for transmitting the output of the audio player via a telephone connection to a remote modem receiver; and

the spectral analyzer is coupled to the remote modem receiver, and is programmed to perform desired acoustic analyses on the recorded acoustic data signals.

2. A portable acoustic impedance data acquisition and processing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said audio source provides a random noise output test signal.

3. A portable acoustic impedance data acquisition and processing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said audio source provides a sine wave at a selected frequency output test signal.

4. A portable acoustic impedance data acquisition and processing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test head includes left and right mounted switches, each operated by a pushbutton, which provide for ambidextrous operation of the test head, wherein a pushbutton switch is pushed to operate the test head and must be maintained depressed to continue operation, and if a pushbutton is released, the operation of the test head is automatically deactivated as a safety feature.

5. A portable acoustic impedance analysis system as claimed in claim 1, further including a DC battery power supply for supplying electrical power to the audio player, spectral analyzer, and the printer.

6. A portable acoustic impedance data acquisition and processing system as claimed in claim 1, further including a 115 VAC power supply for supplying electrical power to the audio player, spectral analyzer and the printer.