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Cymatics for Visual Representation of Aircraft Engine Noise

Conference Paper · September 2021

DOI: 10.23919/MIPRO52101.2021.9597165

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 Cymatics for Visual Representation
of Aircraft Engine Noise

Dubravko Miljković
Hrvatska elektroprivreda, Zagreb, Croatia
[Link]@[Link]

Abstract - Cymatics is a visual representation of sound in energy, frequency, and vibration.” Sound, an audible
form of geometric patterns. It is accomplished by a tonoscope vibration we hear, is just another form of energy that is
device. In most implementations, dispersed fine particulate produced by vibrations. If an object in air vibrates, it also
matter is placed on a horizontal metal plate (Chladni plate) causes movement in surrounding air molecules, causing
that is excited by frequencies present in the sound under them to vibrate as well.
analysis. Sound, resonances, standing waves and nodes
appear as interesting symmetric geometric patterns. Instead II. CHLADNI PATTERNS
of physical implementation, software implementation of the
tonoscope can also be used. In this paper noise of various Chladni patterns got name after the German physicist
aircraft engines is analyzed. Developed patterns could be and musician E. F. F. Chladni, sometimes known as “the
potentially used for early detection of impending faults. father of acoustics”, who investigated this phenomenon in
1787. He was inspired by early experiments by Robert
Keywords - cymatics; tonoscope; sound; geometric Hooke from 1680 who was able to see the nodal patterns.
patterns; machine; aircraft; engine; noise; fault detection Chladni has excited the natural frequency of the brass plate
by a violin bow, Fig. 2, [4, Fig. 12]. Experiment is
I. INTRODUCTION performed on a device called tonoscope. Fine sand is
uniformly sprinkled over a metal or glass plate, also known
Cymatics is the study of visible effects produced by as a Chladni plate. As a result, a standing wave is formed
sound and vibration. It is a visual representation of sound in the solid plate with corresponding nodes and anti-nodes.
in the form of geometric patterns, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Sand settles at the positions of nodes on the plate. Resulting
The term cymatics describes a subset of modal vibrational patterns are symmetrical, where no displacement occurs at
phenomena and was coined by Hans Jenny, Swiss nodes and maximum displacement at the anti-nodes. The
physician and natural scientist. It is named after the Greek nodes occur along the so called "nodal lines". Low
term ta kymatika, "matters pertaining to waves". He also frequency tones produce simple and clear patterns, while
authored two volume book on the subject, [1]. The origin higher frequency tones form more complex patterns. These
of idea behind cymatics can be traced years to African vibratory effects are the creation of static, but also dynamic
tribes more than 1000 years ago. Beneath of cymatics is a patterns that occur as a result from the varying excitation in
principle of periodicity that is so common to various time. The creation of forms, today known as Chladni
processes in nature. We are surrounded by widespread figures was described in his book, [5] and is shown in Fig.
evidence of various periodic phenomena, [2]. The cymatics 3, [6]. Video introduction to Chladni patterns can be found
phenomena is briefly introduced in [3]. Vibration is in [7,8]. Please note fourfold and diagonal symmetries that
characteristics of all matter and is base of its existence in are present in figures.
the universe. It is known saying of Nikola Tesla: “If you
want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of

Figure 1. Examples of cymatic figures (C. Smith) Figure 2. Illustration of the Chladni plate technique, [4, Fig. 12]

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 A. Square Plate
Square plate theory is given by (1)-(6), [11]:

(1)

Boundary condition: anti-node at plate edge

, , (2)
- X: sin cos (3)
- Y: sin cos (4)
- T: (5)
Applying boundary conditions:
A and B = 0 (6)

B. Circular Plate
Circular plate theory is given by (7)-(12), [11]:

(7)

Boundary condition: anti-node at plate edge

Ф (8)
Applying boundary conditions:
Figure 3. Table of Chladni figures from Chladni’s book Acoustics, 1802

0 (9)
III. PHYSICAL TONOSCOPE Ф
Ф 0 (10)
The tonoscope is a simple apparatus for visualization of
sound vibrations. H. Jeny made use of crystal oscillators to
set plates and membranes vibrating. Experimental setup of 0 (11)
tonoscope is illustrated in Fig. 4. Most common plate , , cos (12)
shapes are square and circle, although triangle and violin
body can also be met. Instead of a violin bow, used by C. Chladni’s Law
Chladni, more modern versions employ some kind of an
Chladni’s Law describes the frequency of the modes of
electromagnetic shaker to excite the plate. Such
vibration for flat circular surfaces that have fixed center as
electromagnetic shaker can often in simpler
a function of the number of diametric (linear) nodes m and
implementations be replaced with a loudspeaker. Sounds
the number of radial (circular) nodes n, (13), [9-12].
produced by a loudspeaker leave a vibrational imprint
according to cymascopic principles using sand, powder, or fm,n ~ C (m + 2n)p (13)
a liquid that is placed on a plate. Formed patterns are
mathematically described by (1)-(11) that can be found in C and p are coefficients that depend on plate properties.
[9-12]. Basic mathematical descriptions of nodes and anti Nonlinear relation produces sensitivity to changes of
nodes frequencies differs slightly for square and circular patterns to frequency of analyzed sound.
plates.
IV. SOFTWARE EMULATIONS OF TONOSCOPE
Physical tonoscope is an interesting instrument from
which a lot can be learned, particularly about numerous
influential factors that contribute to pattern shapes.
However, much of the patterns generated on a physical
tonoscope can be preserved in its software emulations.
This makes experimentation much quicker. It allows to
create frequency patterns without the traditional hardware
needed to research plate vibration. Also, due to
simplification and constant influential parameters in a
simulation, software simulations offer repeatability of
experiments. Simulation of real world sounds can be
achieved by superposition of several patterns
Figure 4. Experimental setup of tonoscope (PHYWE) corresponding to prominent frequencies in analyzed signal.
Two popular software implementations are following next.

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 A. Software Tonoscope
The ‘Tonoscope’ is a software, Fig. 5, that accurately
calculates Chladni patterns of pure sounds (one frequency
only) on a square plate, [13].

Figure 7. Pure tone 132 Hz

Figure 8. Pure tone 264 Hz

Figure 5. Tonoscope software

B. Soledine
The Soledine is a software that can visualize harmonic
sounds (not just one frequency), Fig. 6, as water figures on
the circular plate, [14]. It can analyze sound recording in
short successive segments. However, it is more artistically
inclined. Instead of exact tonoscope implementation it
makes several approximations and simplifications. In
calculation, it takes few prominent frequency components.

Figure 9. Pure tone 528 Hz

Figure 6. Soledine software

V. SIMPLE TONAL SOUNDS

Some figures corresponding to pure sinusoidal tones of Figure 10. Pure tone 1056 Hz
different frequencies are shown in Figs. 7-10. One can note
dramatic changes in pattern complexity with every VI. AIRCRAFT ENGINE NOISES
frequency doubling. Following frequencies have been Noise recordings have been acquired from aircraft
used: 132, 264, 528 and 1056 Hz. Please note how engine noise recordings uploaded to YouTube. Following
resulting patterns are getting more and more complex with noise sources are used: piston and turboprop engine with a
every frequency increase. propeller, turbojet and turbofan engine, briefly about such

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 noise can be found in [15]. All recordings are exterior, B. Turboprop Engine
except of the turbofan. Steady sections of recordings have Turboprop is kind of a jet engine that transfers its
been analyzed. Waveform, spectrum, spectrogram and motion primarily to a propeller instead of directing it out
cymatic pattern are determined for each noise source. as fast exhaust gasses (jet) to achieve a thrust. Exhaust
A. Piston Engine gasses contribute only a small portion of the total thrust.
Rotational movement in gas turbines is straightforward, as
Piston engine is the most common source of power for there is no need to convert a linear motion into rotation. It
small, general aviation aircraft. It has pistons that are has less moving parts than a piston engine and is hence
linearly moving within cylinders. The linear motion is more reliable. Analyzed is the Allison 250 B15 turboshaft
converted to rotational motion. Analyzed engine is the engine with five blade propeller mounted on a Four Winds
Lycoming IO-360 with three blade propeller mounted on a experimental aircraft, [17]. The results are shown in Figs.
test stand and used on a Cessna Cardinal RG (177RG) 15-18.
aircraft, [16]. The results are shown in Figs. 11-14.

Figure 11. Waveform – piston engine noise Figure 15. Waveform – turboprop engine noise

Figure 12. Spectrum – piston engine noise Figure 16. Spectrum – turboprop engine noise

Figure 13. Spectrogram – piston engine noise Figure 17. Spectrogram – turboprop engine noise

Figure 14. Cymatic pattern – piston engine noise Figure 18. Cymatic pattern – turboprop engine noise

MIPRO 2021/CTS 1067

 C. Turbojet Engine D. Turbofan Engine
This is an older type of low bypass ratio jet engine. This is a high bypass ratio engine common on modern
Analyzed engine is the General Electric CJ610-6 mounted aircrafts. Analyzed engine is the Rolls Royce RB-211
on an old Learjet 24 business jet, [18]. The results are mounted on a Boeing 757, [19]. The results are shown in
shown in Figs. 19-22. Figs. 23-26. Here the fan contributes to harmonics, [15].

Figure 19. Waveform – turbojet engine noise Figure 23. Waveform – turbofan engine noise

Figure 20. Spectrum – turbojet engine noise Figure 24. Spectrum – turbofan engine noise

Figure 21. Spectrogram – turbojet engine noise Figure 25. Spectrogram – turbofan engine noise

Figure 22. Cymatic pattern – turbojet engine noise Figure 26. Cymatic pattern – turbofan engine noise

VII. PATTERN SIMILARITY

Turbojet engines are now rare and almost always Various types of image comparison techniques may be
require hush kits to reduce noise emissions and fulfill the used (pixel-to-pixel difference, crosscorrelation, etc.).
new noise regulations. Also the fuel consumption is high
in comparison to modern turbofan engines. As can be seen A. Comparing Two Engine Regimes
in Figs. 16, 17, 20 and 21, turboprop and turbojet engine Due to a software tonoscope emulation, patterns are
have low energy content at frequencies below 200 Hz. The centered and aligned. Hence, no compensation for position
propeller contributes to harmonics in the noise, [15]. change is necessary. Pixel-to-pixel comparison of patterns

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 VIII. CONCLUSION
Visualization of various aircraft engine noises in form
of cymatic patterns has been presented. The basic premise
behind this investigation was the fact that most processes
find in nature produce beautiful patterns. The concept
extends to mechanical processes in engines. When elements
of an engine are operating in the correct way it is expected
to produce a nice cymatic pattern. Any imbalance in engine
operation is expected to produce less beautiful or different
cymatic pattern. This can aid detection of engine problems,
either by trained mechanics or by comparison of cymatic
patterns. Nonlinear transformations that are present from
recorded noise signal to final cymatic pattern are expected
Figure 27. Engine noise cymatic pattern – engine regime 1 – take off
to emphasize imperfections in the engine operation.

REFERENCES
[1] H. Jenny, Cymatics: A Study of Wave Phenomena and Vibration.
New Hampshire, 2000
[2] J. Reid and Annaliese Reid, Cymatics - A Bridge to the Unseen
World, [Online]. Available: [Link]
research/Veritas_cymatics.pdf [Accessed 14 March 2021]
[3] Cymatics full documentary (part 1 of 4). Bringing matter to life with
sound, [Online]. Available: [Link]
v=Pmsfuj1Rk9c [Accessed 14 March 2021]
[4] W. H. Stone, Elementary Lessons on Sound, Macmillan and Co.,
London, 1879, p. 26
[5] E. F. F. Chladni, Die Akustik, Leipzig, 1802
[6] M. Skrodzki, U. Reitebuch and K. Polthier, Chladni Figures
Revisited: A Peek Into The Third Dimension, In Proc. Bridges
Figure 28. Engine noise cymatic pattern – engine regime 2 – climb
Finland Conference, Jyväskylä, Finland, 2016, pp. 481-484
[7] The Royal Institution, Demonstrating Resonance with Chladni
Figures - Christmas Lectures with Charles Taylor, 21 December
2019 [Online]. Available: [Link]
OLNFrxgMJ6E [Accessed 14 March 2021]
[8] Bruspup, Amazing Resonance Experiment!, 6 Jun 2013 [Online].
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[Accessed 9 March 2021]
[9] T. Rossing and N. H. Fletcher, Principles of Vibration and Sound,
2nd Ed., Springer, 2003
[10] A. W. Leissa, Vibration of Plates, NASA SP-160, National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington D.C., 1969.
[11] A. Parry and M. Curtis, Chladni Plates, J-Lab Sp. 200, lectur notes,
[Online]. Available: [Link]
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[12] N. Irwin, Standing Waves and Chladni Plates, slides, [Online].
Available: [Link]
Figure 29. Difference between two cymatic patterns
and-chladni-plates?next_slideshow=1 [Accessed 14 March 2021]
in Figs. 27 and 28 (two engine regimes of RB-211) with [13] Software Tonoscope, [Online]. Available: [Link]
[Link]/ [Accessed 9 March 2021]
the method [20] is shown in Fig. 29. Similarity is 75.45%.
[14] Mireille Dondlinger, Soledine software, [Online]. Available: https:
B. Application to Fault Detection //[Link]/soledine/ [Accessed 14 March 2021]
[15] D. Miljković, M. Maletić and M. Obad, “Comparative investigation
An idea behind this concept illustrated in Fig. 30, is that of aircraft interior noise properties,” In Proc. 3rd Congress of the
an engine that operates correctly with machine elements in Alps-Adria Acoustics Association, Graz, Austria, 27-28 Sep. 2007
balance will produce more beautiful or at least different [16] The RG Pilot, Lycoming IO-360 First Startup | Cessna Cardinal RG,
pattern than a faulty one. A fault is detected according to 2017, [Online]. Available: [Link]
the condition (14), d is a similarity distance, T is a threshold: IOfx86hlN7c [Accessed 14 March 2021]
[17] hispdcomp, Allison 250 b15 first start on four winds, 2011,
d>T (14) [Online]. Available: [Link]
24RSo [Accessed 14 March 2021]
[18] A. Lance, Lear 24 engine run, 2011, [Online]. Available:
[Link] [Accessed 14
March 2021]
[19] Mah584jr HD Aviation, Awesome Engine Sound!!! Incredible HD
757 Takeoff from San Diego California!!!, 2011, [Online].
Available: [Link]
[Accessed 14 March 2021]
[20] Identify similarity between two pictures in % online, [Online].
Available: [Link]
Figure 30. Fault detection based on cymatic patterns hp [Accessed 14 March 2021]

MIPRO 2021/CTS 1069

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