10 January 2008
Innovation

Airbus holds the patents for a new technology that contributes to the A380’s certificated excellent low noise levels, which enables this 21st century flagship to meet the very strict noise output requirements for arrivals and departures at London airports.

The Airbus-developed Zero-Splice engine nacelle liner was designed to reduce the noise generated by the jet engines’ large fan, which represents almost half the noise during both approach and take-off. Following extensive studies carried out by Airbus on how to reduce fan noise, it was found that splices used to join the engine nacelle inlet’s acoustic panels generated forward fan noise – which was counter-efficient to the liner’s acoustic treatment. Airbus therefore developed the Zero-Splice nacelle liner as a single 360 deg. piece of composite, which is comparable in size to the diameter of an A320 fuselage.

The certified noise reduction achieved by this technology at takeoff is up to 0.4 EPNdB (Effective Perceived Noise Levels), thanks to a reduction of up to seven decibels in fan tone Sound Pressure Level (SPL). This gives the A380 a 10 tonne takeoff weight advantage, which can be used by airline operators to carry more fuel (for increased range) or additional payload (passengers and cargo).

In December 2006, Airbus was presented with the prestigious “Décibel d’Or” environmental award for its Zero-Splice technology by the French Minister for Ecology and Sustainable Development.

Airbus currently is working on further developing the Zero-Splice concept, utilising the RAMSES (Reduced Acoustic Mode Scattering Engine System) duct concept, for which Airbus also holds the patents. This technology addresses acoustics on the entire engine intake in order to achieve even a greater noise reduction, and it could be implemented on future Airbus aircraft nacelles.