Sound-attenuating devices
Systems including gas turbine engines generate exhaust, which may be expelled from the system in a manner that generates an undesirable sound pressure level. Accordingly, discussed herein is a solution to reduce the undesirable sound pressure level to a target sound pressure level at a predetermined distance from the exhaust-generating source. The sound-attenuating device used to reduce the sound pressure level comprises a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, the sidewall having an inside surface and an outside surface. The sound-attenuating device further includes an interior transition region configured to reduce a sound pressure level, and a coupling region.
1 . A sound-attenuating device, comprising:
a first end having a first aperture;
a second end having a second aperture smaller than the first aperture;
a sidewall defining the first aperture and the second aperture;
an interior transition region, at least partially formed by the sidewall, configured to reduce a sound pressure level, wherein the interior transition region is a curved and diverging surface that is adjacent to the second end; and
a coupling region comprising at least one coupling mechanism, extending from an outside surface of the sidewall adjacent to the second end, configured to couple directly to an exhaust-generating source.
2 . The sound-attenuating device of claim 1 ,
wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are coaxially located along a central axis of the sound-attenuating device.
3 . The sound-attenuating device of claim 1 ,
wherein the least one coupling mechanism extends through the sidewall from an inside surface of the sidewall to the outside surface.
4 . The sound-attenuating device of claim 1 ,
wherein the at least one coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of coupling mechanisms positioned circumferentially around the outside surface of the sidewall.
5 . The sound-attenuating device of claim 1 ,
wherein the interior transition region is rounded and extends circumferentially around an inside surface of the sidewall.
6 . The sound-attenuating device of claim 1 , wherein the interior transition region is configured to generate a lamellar flow of exhaust.
7 . The sound-attenuating device of claim 1 , wherein the interior transition region forms a parabolic cross-sectional shape, an elliptical shape, or a partial-elliptical shape.
8 . The sound-attenuating device of claim 1 , wherein the interior transition region extends from an end of the sidewall to an end of the second end.
9 . A system, comprising:
an exhaust-generating device;
a duct system including at least one duct, the at least one duct being coupled to the exhaust-generating device; and
a sound-attenuating device coupled to the exhaust-generating device, wherein the sound-attenuating device comprises:
a first end having a first aperture;
a second end having a second aperture smaller than the first aperture;
a sidewall defining the first aperture and the second aperture;
an interior transition region, at least partially formed by the sidewall, configured to reduce a sound pressure level of the system, wherein the interior transition region is a curved and diverging surface that is adjacent to the second end; and
a coupling region comprising a coupling mechanism, extending from an outside surface of the sidewall, configured to couple directly to the exhaust-generating device.
10 . The system of claim 9 ,
wherein the exhaust-generating device is configured to release exhaust associated with a first sound pressure level, and the sound-attenuating device is configured to reduce the first sound pressure level to a second sound pressure level.
11 . The system of claim 10 ,
wherein each of the first sound pressure level and the second sound pressure level are measured at a predetermined distance from the sound-attenuating device.
12 . The system of claim 10 ,
wherein the second sound pressure level is from about 15% to about 75% of the first sound pressure level at a predetermined distance from the sound-attenuating device.
13 . A gas turbine system, comprising:
a gas turbine engine;
an exhaust system coupled to the gas turbine engine; and
a sound-attenuating device coupled to and extending from the exhaust system, wherein the sound-attenuating device comprises:
a first end having a first aperture;
a second end having a second aperture smaller than the first aperture;
a sidewall defining the first aperture and the second aperture;
an interior transition region, at least partially formed by the sidewall, configured to reduce sound pressure levels emitted by the gas turbine system, wherein the interior transition region is a curved and diverging surface that is adjacent to the second end; and
a coupling region, comprising a plurality of coupling mechanisms, extending from an outside surface of the sidewall adjacent to the second end, configured to couple directly to the exhaust system.
14 . The gas turbine system of claim 13 ,
wherein at least one coupling mechanism of the plurality of coupling mechanisms is configured to removably couple the sound-attenuating device to the exhaust system.
15 . The gas turbine system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a container positioned around at least the gas turbine system and the exhaust system.
16 . The gas turbine system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a combustor coupled to the gas turbine engine, wherein the container is further positioned around the combustor.
17 . The gas turbine system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a compressor coupled to the combustor, wherein the container is further positioned around the compressor.
18 . The gas turbine system of claim 13 ,
wherein the exhaust system is configured to emit exhaust associated with a first sound pressure level, the sound-attenuating device being configured to reduce the first sound pressure level to a second sound pressure level.
19 . The gas turbine system of claim 18 ,
wherein the second sound pressure level is from about 5% to 90% of the first sound pressure level at a predetermined distance from the sound-attenuating device.
20 . The gas turbine system of claim 13 ,
wherein the plurality of coupling mechanisms comprises a coupling mechanism on the second end.