Jean-Pierre Dalmont

Nonlinear characteristics of single-reed instruments: quasistatic volume flow and reed opening measurements.

A wind instrument can be described as a closed feedback loop made up of a linear passive element-the resonator-and a lumped nonlinear element-the mouthpiece. A method for measuring the nonlinear characteristics of the mouthpiece-nonlinear flow relationship-in static condition is given. An artificial mouth is used in which the volume flow is deduced from the pressure difference between both sides of a constriction (orifice) which takes place in the resonator. The orifice also plays the role of a nonlinear absorber, thwarting possible reed oscillations. This allows the measurement of the complete characteristics. In addition, the reed opening is measured using an optical device. Results are compared to a model in which the reed is reduced to its stiffness and the flow is governed by the Bernoulli equation. It is shown that the reed stiffness and the ratio of the effective surface of the jet and the reed opening are constant in a large range of openings. Standard range values of embouchure parameters are given.

An analytical prediction of the oscillation and extinction thresholds of a clarinet

This paper investigates the dynamic range of the clarinet from the oscillation threshold to the extinction at high pressure level. The use of an elementary model for the reed-mouthpiece valve effect combined with a simplified model of the pipe assuming frequency independent losses (Ramans model) allows an analytical calculation of the oscillations and their stability analysis. The different thresholds are shown to depend on parameters related to embouchure parameters and to the absorption coefficient in the pipe. Their values determine the dynamic range of the fundamental oscillations and the bifurcation scheme at the extinction.

Some aspects of tuning and clean intonation in reed instruments

Abstract The influence of the first and second resonance frequencies on tuning, timbre (or tone colour) and ease of playing is investigated for reed instruments, such as the clarinet, alto saxophone and oboe. Theoretical analyses of the effects of the reed and the player embouchure (i.e. lip position and pressure on the reed) are reviewed, as well as the consequences of inharmonicity in the resonance frequencies. This review allows us to present interesting interpretations of the numerous experiments reported here. Three kinds of results are given: (1) comparison of playing frequencies and first resonance frequencies, for several fingerings with or without open register hole, leading to the definition of a frequency independent length correction for the embouchure; (2) examination of the effect of inharmonicity of the two first resonance frequencies on both tone colour and ease of playing, the causes coming from either the player embouchure or the instrument construction; (3) comparison between theory and experiment for the inharmonicity produced by the changes in conicity in oboes, leading to an interpretation of the maker s choices. The results show how judicious use of simple tools, such as calculations or measurements of input impedance or playing data obtained using an artificial mouth, can be of help to the understanding of instrument construction and to the instrument designer.

Acoustic impedance measurement: Plane‐wave mode and first helical mode contributions

A measuring probe has been built that is comprised of an electrostatic transducer as a source and two receiving microphones. This probe allows measurements of acoustic impedance to be made over a wide range of values and over a larger frequency range than hitherto possible in waveguides by separating the contributions of the plane and first helical modes to the impedance.

Tracking high amplitude auto-oscillations with digital Fresnel holograms

Method for tracking vibrations with high amplitude of several hundreds of micrometers is presented. It is demonstrated that it is possible to reconstruct a synthetic high amplitude deformation of auto-oscillations encoded with digital Fresnel holograms. The setup is applied to the auto-oscillation of a clarinet reed in a synthetic mouth. Tracking of the vibration is performed by using the pressure signal delivered by the mouth. Experimental results show the four steps of the reed movement and especially emphasize the shocks of the reed on the mouthpiece.

Trumpet with near-perfect harmonicity: design and acoustic results.

This paper presents a mathematical design methodology for determining the shape of a trumpet air column that has near-perfect harmonicity, whose components are discontinuity-free, and whose input impedance peak heights are balanced over the playing range. The simulation model employed assumes linear wave propagation and uses cylindrical element discretization with a plane wave approximation. Acoustic measurements are made using a test set-up with an estimated relative measurement error of ±3 cents. Comparisons of measured results are given for the presented design (Macaluso trumpet) and the same trumpet air column with the bell replaced by a commercially used generic trumpet bell of unknown shape (Generic trumpet). For acoustic resonance modes 2-13 (233-1515 Hz), the measured root-mean-square (rms) harmonicity deviation is 5 cents for the Macaluso trumpet, whereas it is 18 cents for the Generic trumpet. However, considering the estimated measurement uncertainty, each of those deviations is somewhat over-stated. For that same range of resonances, the rms deviation between measured and calculated resonance frequencies for the Macaluso trumpet is 3 cents, thus validating the presented simulation model and equations.

Theoretical prediction of the onset of thermoacoustic instability from the experimental transfer matrix of a thermoacoustic core.

The aim of this paper is to propose a method to predict the onset conditions of the thermoacoustic instability for various thermoacoustic engines. As an accurate modeling of the heat exchangers and the stack submitted to a temperature gradient is a difficult task, an experimental approach for the characterization of the amplifying properties of the thermoacoustic core is proposed. An experimental apparatus is presented which allows to measure the transfer matrix of a thermoacoustic core under various heating conditions by means of a four-microphone method. An analytical model for the prediction of the onset conditions from this measured transfer matrix is developed. The experimental data are introduced in the model and theoretical predictions of the onset conditions are compared with those actually observed in standing-wave and traveling-wave engines. The results show good agreement between predictions from the model and experiments.

Investigation of non-linear acoustic losses at the open end of a tube

At high acoustic level, non-linear losses at the end of a tube are usually interpreted as the consequence of a jet formation at the tube end resulting in annular vortices dissipating part of the acoustic energy. Previous work has shown that two different regimes may occur. The present work, using particle image velocimetry visualization, lattice Boltzmann method simulation in 2D, and an analytical model, shows that the two different regimes correspond to situations for which the annular vortices remain attached to the tube (low acoustic particle velocity) or detached (high acoustic particle velocity).

Measurements of the impedance matrix of a thermoacoustic core: applications to the design of thermoacoustic engines.

The successful design of a thermoacoustic engine depends on the appropriate description of the processes involved inside the thermoacoustic core (TAC). This is a difficult task when considering the complexity of both the heat transfer phenomena and the geometry of the porous material wherein the thermoacoustic amplification process occurs. An attempt to getting round this difficulty consists in measuring the TAC transfer matrix under various heating conditions, the measured transfer matrices being exploited afterward into analytical models describing the complete apparatus. In this paper, a method based on impedance measurements is put forward, which allows the accurate measurement of the TAC transfer matrix, contrarily to the classical two-load method. Four different materials are tested, each one playing as the porous element allotted inside the TAC, which is submitted to different temperature gradients to promote thermoacoustic amplification. The experimental results are applied to the modeling of basic standing-wave and traveling-wave engines, allowing the prediction of the engine operating frequency and thermoacoustic amplification gain, as well as the optimum choice of the components surrounding the TAC.

A new impedance sensor for wind instruments

Our aim was to build a low cost but accurate portable impedance sensor. The adopted technique is the one using a source with a back cavity. A first elctret microphone on the front of the source measures the pressure at the input of the instrument weather a second one measures the pressure in the cavity, which is proportional to the volume flow supplied by the source. By choosing a sufficiently small sealed cavity and a small piezoelectric source the system do not exhibit any cut‐off frequency in the measurement range. The calibration is then simplified and only few parameters are needed to model the three complex calibration functions. This calibration is performed with three nonresonant calibration loads. Moreover, it is shown that the geometry of the sensor being known, the measurement with a rigid wall is sufficient to calibrate the sensor. Results show that it is possible to achieve a measurement with an accuracy lower than 1dB in the range 50‐4000 Hz.