Determination of transmission and insertion loss for multi-inlet mufflers using impedance matrix and superposition approaches with comparisons

This paper details how transmission and insertion loss can be defined for the multi-inlet case. Two different procedures are used for calculations and are compared against one another. The first is an impedance matrix method that has been proposed in the past and is especially suitable for deterministic approaches like the boundary element method. The other is a superposition method that does not require assembling or inverting a matrix. Though each method can be extended to the n-inlet situation, the superposition approach is mathematically simpler but requires the source impedance to be known a priori. Transmission and insertion loss can be determined using either method, and results using both are shown to be equivalent. The methods are demonstrated and compared for a two-inlet one-outlet expansion chamber. After which, the superposition method is used to determine the insertion loss for a two-inlet one-outlet generator set muffler experimentally.