Flow dynamics and azimuthal behavior of the self-excited acoustic modes in axisymmetric shallow cavities

Abstract

Self-excitation of acoustic resonance in axisymmetric cavities can lead to a complex flow–acoustic coupling, which may result in severe noise generation. In this work, a large eddy simulation is performed to model the different flow–sound coupling mechanisms during the self-excitation of various excitable acoustic modes in an axisymmetric shallow cavity configuration with an aspect ratio of L/d = 1 over the lock-in region. The compressible Navier–Stokes equations are solved at a resolution sufficient to capture the flow and the acoustic dynamics. The excitation of three acoustic modes of different aerodynamic characteristics over the range of the tested flow velocities was observed. These modes are a stationary diametral mode, a spinning diametral mode, and a longitudinal mode. The initiation and separation of vortices over the cavity mouth accompanying the self-excitation of each mode involve different dynamics. If two antisymmetric series of vortical crescents separate successively at the leading edge, a stationary acoustic mode is excited. The formation of a continuously rotating helical vortex, connecting the leading edge and the trailing edge, leads to the excitation of the diametral spinning mode. The excitation of the longitudinal mode is associated with symmetric rings of vortices. Complex patterns of flow velocities and Reynolds stresses in the circumferential direction are observed for the diametral modes but not for the longitudinal mode. In all cases, the excitation of acoustic resonance requires a synchronization of the vortex separation and impingement processes, which is necessary for efficient feedback to sustain the flow–sound coupling mechanism.