Experimental validation of a numerical approach for sound power analysis in compressor housings

In the development of domestic refrigeration compressors, optimizing the housing for acoustic performance is essential. Numerical simulations are commonly used to accelerate the design process, however, experimental validation is necessary to ensure the reliability of the results. Although modal analysis is often employed for validation, it does not fully capture the structure's dynamic response under excitation. Therefore, this research proposes a validation approach based on frequency response functions (FRFs), using an impact hammer to excite the structure and an accelerometer and microphone to measure the response. This method allows for the determination and validation of the dynamic response of the structure in terms of both vibration and acoustics. Different parts of the housing were excited, and the accelerometer and microphone were positioned in specific positions of the structure to capture dynamic response of the top, bottom and sides of the housing. Finally, this approach could, successfully, identify the structural modes and the harmonic response, validating behavior observed in the numerical simulation. The validation ensures that numerical simulations accurately represent the real system's dynamic behavior. This reliability enables future studies to optimize the housing geometry, aiming to minimize the noise generated by the compressor and improve its acoustic performance.