Evaluation of the transmission and the scattering matrix applicability to the mufflers analysis

The analysis of the acoustical systems can be carried out based on a number of different formalisms, of which applied frequently are the transfer matrix formalism, in which the chosen state variables are the sound pressure p and the sound velocity v, and the scattering matrix formalism adopting the sound pressures p+ and p− and the sound velocities v+ and v− of waves propagating through an element in both directions. Even though, they are mathematically equivalent, i.e. there exists the unequivocal transformation from one to another there are some advantages and disadvantages in applying one or the other to analyse mufflers or other acoustic system, especially when the propagation of a multimode wave is assumed and numerical calculations are indispensable. In the paper the transformation between the formalisms has been derived and applied to analyse the phenomena at a junction between the tail pipe and the chamber and also in mufflers composed of one or two chambers. The more flexible for numerical calculations seems the scattering matrix formalism, especially when the number of propagating modes differs on both sides of a junction. On the other hand the transmission matrix formalism is suitable for analysing systems constituting a cascade. The sources of the advantages and disadvantages of both formalisms are explained. The results obtained can be helpful in the effective design of silencers with specific properties.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa Nr 461252 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2020).