Abstract: The present invention is an active-control system for attenuating noise in a duct having a fluid flow. An array of stators having a longitudinal length is positioned axially within the duct. A first array of sound sources capable of generating spinning mode sound and is positioned a distance upstream of a first plane defined by the upstream-most portion of the stators, relative to the fluid flow. The upstream distance is less than the longitudinal length of the stators. A second array of sound sources capable of generating spinning mode sound and is positioned a distance downstream of a second plane defined by the downstream-most portion of the stators, relative to the fluid flow. The downstream distance is less than the longitudinal length of the stators. A controller causes the first and second arrays of sound sources to generate sound including spinning mode sound such that it cancels a portion of the noise within the fluid flow that passes through the stators.

Abstract: A hybrid mode-scattering/sound-absorbing segmented liner system and method in which an initial sound field within a duct is steered or scattered into higher-order modes in a first mode-scattering segment such that it is more readily and effectively absorbed in a second sound-absorbing segment. The mode-scattering segment is preferably a series of active control components positioned along the annulus of the duct, each of which includes a controller and a resonator into which a piezoelectric transducer generates the steering noise. The sound-absorbing segment is positioned acoustically downstream of the mode-scattering segment, and preferably comprises a honeycomb-backed passive acoustic liner. The invention is particularly adapted for use in turbofan engines, both in the inlet and exhaust.