Acoustic and Flow Aspects of Synthetic Jet Actuators with Chevron Orifices

Abstract

The use of a chevron nozzle/orifice is one of the methods of heat transfer enhancement and noise reduction. In the case of synthetic jets, the number of papers on this topic is small. Therefore, a synthetic jet actuator with three different chevron orifices and one circular orifice is investigated. The aim of this study is to find the impact of orifice shape on centerline velocity (measured with a hot-wire anemometer) and determine if the chevron orifice reduces the generated noise. The sound pressure level was strongly dependent on the input actuator’s power, and only one chevron orifice ensured noise reduction for low power (p = 6; 8 W). At real power p = 12 W, the sound pressure level was lower for each chevron orifice actuator than in the case of the circular orifice actuator. It is shown that the application of a chevron nozzle does not have to provide noise reduction. It is important in the case of the design of new actuators that are to operate in places where noise levels should be limited (e.g., offices).