The acoustic and flow aspects of the novel synthetic jet actuator (SJA) with fins inside the cavity were experimentally investigated for three types of enclosure design and two models of loudspeaker. The aim of the study is to find the parameter which connects the flow and acoustic properties of the SJA and allows us to choose the optimal solution in those regards. The hot wire anemometry was used for the velocity measurements and the sound pressure level was measured with a sound level meter. The model of the loudspeaker turned out to have a significantly stronger impact on the flow parameters and noise level than the shape of the fins in the cavity. The parameter that showed a dependence on the shape of the fins was the actuator’s efficiency. A ratio of the root-mean-square velocity at the orifice axis to the sound pressure level (U_0.c/SPL) was used to connect the acoustic and flow properties of the tested actuators. This parameter was subsequently applied to determine the best configuration among the tested actuators.

The use of a chevron nozzle/orifice is one of the methods of heat transfer enhancement and noise reduction. In the case of synthetic jets, the number of papers on this topic is small. Therefore, a synthetic jet actuator with three different chevron orifices and one circular orifice is investigated. The aim of this study is to find the impact of orifice shape on centerline velocity (measured with a hot-wire anemometer) and determine if the chevron orifice reduces the generated noise. The sound pressure level was strongly dependent on the input actuator’s power, and only one chevron orifice ensured noise reduction for low power (p = 6; 8 W). At real power p = 12 W, the sound pressure level was lower for each chevron orifice actuator than in the case of the circular orifice actuator. It is shown that the application of a chevron nozzle does not have to provide noise reduction. It is important in the case of the design of new actuators that are to operate in places where noise levels should be limited (e.g., offices).

Axisymmetric synthetic jet actuators making use of loudspeakers and four lengths of the orifice with and without a confinement plate were experimentally tested and compared. The first (reference) orifice was the shortest one and was confined by the actuator wall. The next length of orifices was obtained with the use of one of three orifices’ extension, with or without a confinement plate. The possibility of the use of the power factor to find the first characteristic frequency is presented. The dependence of the reaction force from the orifice length and the power is described. The time-reaction force of the actuator was measured. The actuators with a confinement plate at the time of measurements of frequency function and at the constant power generate less reaction force, as well as less velocity and efficiency, than the ones without it (even 1.8% at the characteristic frequency).

One of the most basic issues in fluid mechanics is the description of flow in closed flows; more precisely, the calculation of pressure drops and the description of the flow form. Therefore, in this paper, the numerical simulation of the flow through the elbow was presented. This case was used to comprehensively describe the most important phenomena that should be taken into account during closed flows. The elbow was chosen as one of the most frequently used fittings in practice. The simulation was made with ANSYS Fluent, with the use of the turbulent model k-ω, SIMPLE simulation method, and at Reynolds number $Re=500-100,000$. The minor and major pressure loss were presented and discussed in the paper. The minor loss coefficient at the high Reynolds number was equal to around 0.2, which is close to the value of 0.22 used in engineering calculations. The influence of the Reynolds number on the shift of the stream separation point in the elbow was described. The secondary flow in the elbow was observed and the vortex structure was discussed and shown with the use of the Q-criterion (Q iso surface for level 0.005). This analysis allowed us to better visualize and describe the complex flow structure observed in the investigated case.