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Pratt & Whitney has developed an intriguing noise attenuation system for turboprop engine inlet ducts. The company has filed a patent application.  The item comprises a “deformable wall” made of flexible material with integrated acoustic cells. The wall transitions between un-deformed and deformed positions in response to a hydraulic-piston actuator, to narrow the effective cross sectional area of the inlet duct and reduce line-of-sight noise propagation. More information can be found here.2016-03-15_9-30-06According to the patent description, the system may be deployed during flight approach or landing operations to reduce the level of community noise.  The two red arrows point out where the flexible wall is located within the engine inlet.

The use of noise attenuating materials is growing.  Making engines ever quieter is good.  This trend is also being developed on other noisy parts of the the aircraft like the wing.  Turboprops are relatively quiet now.  But for residents living near airports (Billy Bishop in Toronto comes to mind) even quieter turboprop engines and wings would be a welcome technology leap.

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Co-Founder AirInsight. My previous life includes stints at Shell South Africa, CIC Research, and PA Consulting. Got bitten by the aviation bug and ended up an Avgeek. Then the data bug got me, making me a curious Avgeek seeking data-driven logic. Also, I appreciate conversations with smart people from whom I learn so much. Summary: I am very fortunate to work with and converse with great people.

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