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	Illustrations of noise and vibration analyses results

Addressing noise in engine design is a complicated science and elusive art. There are many causes of noise and vibration in an engine and many evolving techniques for designing a quiet, pleasant sounding engine. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) maintains a comprehensive capability for source and signal analysis, model simulations, and structural dynamics.

SwRI has extensive experience in noise control evaluations of numerous gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. Our engineers evaluate pass-by or operator noise levels to formulate experimental programs that will lead to identification of the noise sources, the paths of propagation, and acceptable control measures.

Noise Assessment

• Noise testing and analysis

  	Noise assessment chambers at SwRI

• Vehicle and component noise benchmarking

• Noise source identification and ranking

• Hemi-anechoic acoustic chamber

• Structural acoustic modeling capabilities

• Noise abatement design and evaluation

SwRI facilities include electrodynamic

shakers for testing of vehicle components

in a prescribed, harsh vibration environment for failure and fatigue assessment. Portable data acquisition systems are also available for vehicle and component vibration analysis and benchmarking.

Vibration Evaluation

Portable data acquisition systems

• Vehicle and component vibration evaluation

• Whole body vibration for improved rider comfort

• Vehicle and component benchmarking

• Engineering support for analysis and modification

• Vibration simulation facilities

• Failure and fatigue assessment

Material and Component Analysis

The SwRI Materials Engineering Department, composed of approximately

 55 staff members including 30 scientists and engineers, has both a broad and deep scope. Unifying themes are life enhancement and lifetime assessment of engineered structures and components.

	Because of the special requirements around the rider and the energy transmitted to the rider's body, SwRI emphasizes noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) issues.

 
The Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section Section focuses on solving client materials problems through bulk and surface modification, process enhancement, failure analyses and microstructural assessment, and new material development, coupled with specialized testing, characterization, and design of materials.

 
The Materials Integrity Section performs

research and development in the deformation, damage, and fracture of engineering materials with a special emphasis on the integrity of engineering

components and structures.

	Specialized facilities are available for evaluations that utilize state-of-the-art materials characterization such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fiber optic probes, coupled with Raman and IR spectrometers.

The focus of the Mechanical Testing Section is the experimental evaluation of mechanical material properties, such as strength and fatigue parameters.

 
The Materials Science and Failure Analysis Section performs deterministic and probabilistic analyses to evaluate and predict the life, performance, and risk of failure of structures, mechanical components, and engineered systems.
 

For more information about noise and vibration capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Jim Carroll at jcarroll@swri.org or (210) 522-5015.
 

| Emissions R&D | Engine, Emissions & Vehicle Research Division | SwRI Home |

Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions.

October 29, 2009