On the Linear Harmonic Analysis of Engine Exhaust and Intake Systems

Linear harmonic analysis is a convenient and generally accurate method to use for the acoustic analysis of intake and exhaust silencers for IC engines. The major uncertainty in this form of modelling is the characterisation of the source, which is inherently nonlinear and time-variant. Experimental methods are generally used to determine the source characteristics, and in particular the indirect method is most suitable for an IC-engine source. With reference to an idealised linear time-variant source, it is found that the characteristics of a time-variant source as determined by the indirect method have no physical relevance. The direct method of experimental measurement appears to have some advantage over the indirect method, although in practice it is difficult to apply to an IC engine source. Again, an idealised linear time-variant source can be used to indicate that the characteristics of a time-variant source as determined by the direct method also have no physical relevance. Strangely, these meaningless measured source properties can nevertheless be used to accurately predict the radiated noise from an IC engine and silencer system.