A robust physics-based method to filter coherent wavepackets from high-speed schlieren images

A complete understanding of jet dynamics is greatly enabled by the accurate separation of acoustically efficient wavepackets from their higher-energy convecting turbulent counterparts. Momentum potential theory (MPT) has proven highly effective in filtering the desired acoustic component irrespective of operating conditions or nozzle complexity. However, MPT is a data-intensive method predicated on the knowledge of fluctuation quantities in the entire flow field; as such, it has to date been applied only to numerically obtained data. This work develops an approach to extend its application to extract coherent wavepacket data from high-speed schlieren images. Pixel intensities from the schlieren image are mapped to a scaled surrogate for the line-of-sight integrated density gradient. The linear relation between the irrotational scalar MPT potential and time derivatives of density fluctuations is then exploited to perform the filtering. The effectiveness of the procedure is demonstrated using experimental as well as numerical schlieren images representing a wide range of imperfectly expanded free and impinging jet configurations. When combined with spectral proper orthogonal decomposition (SPOD), the method yields modes that accurately capture (i) the Mach wave radiation from a military-style jet, (ii) the mode shapes of the feedback tones in an impinging jet and (iii) the screech signature in twin rectangular jets, without recourse to user adjusted parameters. This technique can greatly enhance the use of high-speed diagnostics for real-time monitoring of the near-field acoustic content for potential feedback control. Additionally, the general nature of the approach allows a straightforward application to other flows, such as cavity and airfoil flow-acoustic interactions.

Automated summary

This study develops a method for extracting coherent wavepacket data from high-speed schlieren images and effectively filtering out unwanted acoustic components. When combined with spectral proper orthogonal decomposition (SPOD), the method accurately captures various types of jet dynamics.