Sound-wave Cavitation.

 

Thanks. I belive you have found the correct description/phrase

Either that or it is something bad which happens in a noisy prison!

Here is a photo page showing Photographs of different types of cavitation:

http://cavity.ce.utexas.edu/kinnas/cavphotos.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavitation
"Cavitation is the phenomenon where small and largely empty cavities are generated in a fluid, which expand to large size and then rapidly collapse, producing a sharp sound. Cavitation occurs in pumps, propellers, impellers, and in the vascular tissues of plants."

Seems to be mainly a fluid phenomenon, but gasses react in a similar way.

 

No, the correct term as used earlier is air buffeting or wind buffeting.

http://www.deskeng.com/Articles/Appl...041201213.html

No PT comments.

 

I stand corrected. I'll leave the Cavitation description and grab onto the air buffeting one.
Sounds like Chrysler engineers are showing some interest in this area. They could use it too. All the Chryslers I've ever driven have a lot of noise in comparison to GM and Ford. I've Owned some from every maker. Though my 1968 Satelite convertible was the quietest convertible I've ever owned. Go figure!

The money quote:
"It’s ironic that wind buffeting has become a significant factor in the overall passenger experience in recent years precisely because engineers have been so successful in reducing noise from other sources."

I still think front window vents would be cool and would likely aid in this arena, though they'd make significant noise ( they always do). When they went away in the early '70's I was saddened. Also, many of the cars of the era got "pillar-less" designs, having no pillar for the windows to channel into. Four door cars would look kind of cool when the windows were all rolled down, but the windows did not seat well with each other over time. It did make it easy to break into the car, but I would not call that a desirable feature

Back on the HHR front, I'd love to get the two rear side glasses motorized like my Plymouth Voyager's rear-most windows. Popping them out at the farthest rear and hinging them from the front would make for a usefull airflow ( since we have no "pull vents" like in the older cars) and it would likely stop the dreaded buffeting.

 

That's a hell of an idea...

Wonder how hard it would be to do that....hmmmm....gonna have to look into that.

 

Yup- my HHR does it, especially if it's only one rear window rolled down. It's a normal thing; my wife's Honda Pilot does it, and my Dodge Ram Crew cab that I had before my HHR did it, too. It goes away if you roll down a front window or two.

 

I just made that up!

It just sounded so smart!

 

Fooled me! And kinda works too!
Anyway, the captain's link showed us that engineers are aware of this in the newer cars and I guess it was always there to some degree in all cars. It is just so refined now that it really takes on a life of its own.

I use it as a squelching device. That is I open a rear window ( Viva the power windows!) and envelop all in the auto-gyro air pockets of death if they displease me. It also works when it is time to change the conversation.

 

Thank goodness . . . I thought it was just me! I'm glad to hear it's not just the HHR. I JUST got mine a few days ago and LOVE it! The ride is smooth and gas milage-wonderful! I am a little anxious about the PA winter roads but I had to get away from the big SUV's. The HHR drives like a sports car - a loud sports car if the back windows are down! But otherwise, it's great! Will window vents help this problem by changing the air flow? Has anyone tried it? Any picturues of how it would look?

 

Something I have noticed......If the front windows are down about 1/4, the inside pressure seems to change to where it "thumps". I have chronic sinus/ear problems and this really hurts. I think that the roof racks bars break-up the airflow which makes it lots worse. I like fresh air, but it's all or nothing. Anyone with similar problems?