A hybrid numerical-experimental integrated approach is presented to obtain accurate predictions of the noise field emitted by an 8.5 cc/rev external gear pump. Vibration measurements provided FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) acceleration spectra (Pulse code) in a few specific positions of the external gear pump casing for some working conditions. Structural harmonic analyses were performed in order to estimate the dynamic response of the finite element model. The noise field radiated by the gear pump was simulated by means of finite element vibro-acoustic simulations involving the structural dynamic response as external boundary condition. Several acoustic numerical methods were investigated in the commercial software Simcenter 3D, such as the classical FEM (Finite Element Method), the more elaborated FEMAO (Finite Element Method with Adaptive Order), and the ATV (Acoustic Transfer Vector) approach. Sound power calculations based on sound intensity measurements, as well as sound pressure measurements around the pump casing were performed for validation purposes. The comparisons between numerical and experimental results confirmed the proposed hybrid approach to offer a good compromise between noise prediction accuracy and reduction of experimental modelling requirements. The accuracy and the efficiency of the aforementioned numerical methods are also assessed.
Associate Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Professional interests include undergraduate engineering education, finite element modeling, ground-borne vibrations, vibrations of musical instruments, and dynamics of toys.
