Low frequency sound produced by a ventilated supercavitating vehicle

Abstract

An analytical investigation is made of the low frequency noise produced by gas jet impingement on the gas–water interface of a ventilated supercavity. Enclosure within a supercavity enables an underwater vehicle to attain high-speed forward motion. Whereas high frequency components of the cavity self-noise can interfere with the vehicle guidance system, low frequency sound tends to radiate in the water to large distances from the cavity. A canonical mathematical problem is examined that extends a previous study by Foley et al. ( Journal of Sound and Vibration329 (2010) 415–424.) of sound generation by a specially modified, model scale supercavitating vehicle involving gas jet impingement at normal incidence to the interface. Our analysis determines the influence on low frequency sound production of cavity aspect ratio and the manner in which the efficiency of sound production increases with decreasing distance of the jet impact region from the circular ‘cavitator’ at the vehicle nose, where the supercavity is formed.