CAVITATION NOISE PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Cavitating screws, ducted propellers and tunnel thrusters form powerful sources of ship structureborne and internal airborne noise. In some types of ships e.g. river towboats and dynamically-positioned drillships with the crew accommodation located close to these sources, the combined noise level can reach unacceptable values. In this paper, the Author discusses the nature of propeller cavitation noise and means for estimating its intensity. Simple methods are presented for estimating the vibration levels and power input to the structure for, respectively, acoustic insonification of the hull and direct action of the cavitation on nozzle and tunnel surfaces. Several external means for achieving noise reduction are discussed: hydrodynamic design to minimize cavitation, baffling, compliant coating and air emission. These have been shown either directly or indirectly to be of practical value. Order from: BSRA as No. 48, 229.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of International Symposium on Shipboard Acoustics held at Noordwijkehout, September 6-10, 1976.
• Corporate Authors:

  Technisch Physische Dienst TNO-TH

  Stieltjesweg 1, Postbus 155
  Delft 2208,   Netherlands 
• Authors:
  • Brown, N A
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 17 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft noise; Cavitation (Mechanics); Cavitation erosion; Cavitation noise; Measurement; Noise; Noise control; Propellers; Sound level; Structural analysis; Vibration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Noise measurement; Noise reduction
• Old TRIS Terms: Airborne noise; Cavitating propellers; Noise intensity; Structural vibration; Structure-borne noise
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00177060
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 28 1978 12:00AM