Weak nonlinear propagation of sound in a finite exponential horn

This article presents an approximate solution for weak nonlinear standing waves in the interior of an exponential acoustic horn. An analytical approach is chosen assuming one-dimensional plane-wave propagation in a lossless fluid within an exponential horn. The model developed for the propagation of finite-amplitude waves includes linear reflections at the throat and at the mouth of the horn, and neglects boundary layer effects. Starting from the one-dimensional continuity and momentum equations and an isentropic pressure-density relation in Eulerian coordinates, a perturbation analysis is used to obtain a hierarchy of wave equations with nonlinear source terms. Green's theorem is used to obtain a formal solution of the inhomogeneous equation which takes into account linear reflections at the ends of the horn, and the solution is applied to the nonlinear horn problem to yield the acoustic pressure for each order, first in the frequency and then in the time domain. In order to validate the model, an experimental setup for measuring fundamental and second harmonic pressures inside the horn has been developed. For an imposed throat fundamental level, good agreement is obtained between predicted and measured levels (fundamental and second harmonic) at the mouth of the horn.