Sound barrier assembly having at least one acoustic scatterer

Abstract

To provide a sound insulating wall assembly which absorbs sound entering a wall over a frequency range of both a high frequency and a low frequency.SOLUTION: A sound insulation wall assembly includes: a plurality of walls defining a space; and a half scatterer 26A being at least one sound scatterer arranged in the space. The half scatterer 26A has an opening 60A, and at least one channel 48A, 50A. The at least one channel has channel opening ends 52A, 54A, and channel terminations 56A, 58A. The channel opening end is in fluid communication with the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to a sound barrier assembly, and more particularly to a sound barrier assembly including at least one acoustic scatterer.

Background Art

[0002] The background description provided is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. The work of the inventors within the scope that may be described in this background art section, and aspects of the specification that may not be recognized as prior art at the time of filing, are not expressly or implicitly recognized as prior art to this technology.

[0003] The interior of a building that may be composed of one or more rooms may experience noise pollution emitted from inside or outside the building. For example, when a building is located near a street, the rooms inside the building at that location may experience unwanted noise such as noise generated by vehicles, pedestrians, trains, etc. Further, in some cases, unwanted noise may also be generated inside the building itself. For example, if a person is talking loudly in one room, unwanted noise may enter another room.

[0004] When constructing a building and / or rooms within a building, prior art techniques typically rely on either highly reflective materials that reflect sound or porous materials that may be able to absorb sound. However, both have drawbacks. For example, the performance of reflective materials is usually limited by the "mass law", while porous materials do not provide high sound insulation. The "mass law" indicates that when the mass per unit area doubles, the sound transmission loss (Sound Transmission Loss: "STL") increases by 6 decibels. Similarly, when the frequency doubles, the STL increases by 6 decibels. Due to this effect, it becomes difficult to sound-insulate low-frequency sounds using lightweight materials.

[0005] Regarding porous materials, conventional porous sound-absorbing materials were only effective in reducing high-frequency (above 1 kHz) noise due to their high impedance characteristics. Furthermore, when the porosity of the material's microstructure is high, the sound transmission rate through the porous material increases. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0006] This section is a general summary of the disclosure and does not constitute a comprehensive disclosure of its entire scope or features.

[0007] In one example, a sound barrier assembly includes a plurality of walls that define a space between the plurality of walls. At least one acoustic scatterer is positioned in the space between the plurality of walls. The at least one acoustic scatterer has an opening and at least one channel. The at least one channel has a channel open end and a channel end, the channel open end being in fluid communication with the opening.

[0008] At least one acoustic scatter used within a sound barrier assembly can take any one of a number of different forms. In one example, at least one acoustic scatter is in the form of a semi-scatterer and is attached to one of the multiple walls. In another example, at least one acoustic scatter is in the form of a modified scatterer located away from the multiple walls.

[0009] In another example, the soundproof wall assembly described above may also include a porous material located in the space between the multiple walls. By utilizing a porous material in addition to at least one acoustic scatterer, both high-frequency and low-frequency noise can be effectively reduced.

[0010] Further applicable areas and various methods for enhancing the disclosed technology will become apparent from the provided description. The descriptions and examples in this summary are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0011] This instruction will be better understood from the detailed explanation and attached diagrams. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1A] This figure shows two different applications of a sound barrier assembly. [Figure 1B] This figure shows two different applications of a sound barrier assembly. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a soundproof wall assembly using a semi-scattering material. [Figure 3A] Figure 2 shows detailed views of different examples of semi-scattering materials used in sound barrier assemblies. [Figure 3B] Figure 2 shows detailed views of different examples of semi-scattering materials used in sound barrier assemblies. [Figure 4] This figure shows another example of a soundproof wall assembly that utilizes a semi-scattering material, which also uses porous materials. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a soundproof wall assembly using a modified scattering material. [Figure 6A] Figure 5 shows detailed diagrams of different examples of modified scattering materials used in sound barrier assemblies. [Figure 6B] Figure 5 shows detailed diagrams of different examples of modified scattering materials used in sound barrier assemblies. [Figure 7] This figure shows another example of a soundproof wall assembly that utilizes a modified scattering material, including porous materials. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] This instruction provides a soundproofing wall assembly that can be used in a variety of different applications, such as room walls and ducts that guide air from one place to another. Regardless of the application, the soundproofing wall assembly can reduce unwanted noise.

[0014] A soundproof wall assembly may consist of multiple walls, for example, four walls defining the space between the walls. Located within the space between the walls is at least one acoustic scatterer. In one example, the acoustic scatterer may be a semi-scatterer attached to one of the multiple walls. In another example, the acoustic scatterer may be in the form of a modified scatterer located within the space between the multiple walls but not in much physical contact with the multiple walls.

[0015] As will be explained later in this specification, acoustic scatterers located in the space between the wall and the wall can largely absorb low-frequency noise entering the wall. Furthermore, sound barrier assemblies can essentially violate the "law of mass" near the resonant frequency of the acoustic scatterers. At the resonant frequency, the effective mass density of the sound barrier assembly becomes negative, so not only the wavenumber but also the speed of sound in the material becomes imaginary. The imaginary wavenumber indicates that the wave is attenuating exponentially within the material. Also, since the impedance of the material matches that of air at the same frequency, there is no reflection. As a result, all energy can be absorbed, and the STL can be higher than the law of mass in certain frequency bands.

[0016] As mentioned above, acoustic scatterers located within a soundproof wall assembly are adept at absorbing low-frequency sound. In one example of a soundproof wall assembly, a porous material may be placed within a space defined by multiple walls. By utilizing both acoustic scatterers and porous materials in the space between them, the soundproof wall assembly can absorb sound entering the wall across both high-frequency and low-frequency ranges.

[0017] Referring to Figure 1A, Room 1 is shown. In this example, Room 1 is a bedroom, but it can be any type of room located within the building. Thus, Room 1 may be a warehouse space, a manufacturing space, an office, a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, a bathroom, etc. In this example, Room 1 includes multiple walls. At least one of the walls 3 may be constructed using a soundproof wall assembly 10A.

[0018] The sound insulation wall assembly 10A can be used for any one of a number of different applications. In this example, the sound insulation wall assembly 10A is shown in the form of a wall, which may be utilized to define a room within a building or on one or more outer walls of a building. Thus, as will be described later in this specification, the sound insulation wall assembly 10A reduces unwanted noise entering or exiting room 1.

[0019] Other applications may also be possible. For example, the movement of air through a duct can generate unwanted low-frequency noise. Therefore, referring to FIG. 1B, this example shows the use of the sound insulation wall assembly 10B for use as an air duct 4 that can move air from one location to another and direct the air towards the vent 5, the vent of which can distribute air to a room or other location. It should be understood that the examples shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are merely one of many applications of the sound insulation wall assemblies described in this specification.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, an example of the sound insulation wall assembly 10 taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIGS. 1A and 1B is shown. Here, the sound insulation wall assembly 10 generally includes a plurality of walls 11. The plurality of walls 11 generally define a space 20 located between the plurality of walls 11.

[0021] The plurality of walls 11 may include two or more walls. In this example, the plurality of walls 11 includes a first wall 12. The first wall 12 may have a first surface 22 and a second surface 24 located on the opposite side of the first wall 12. The first surface 22 may generally face the space 20 defined by the plurality of walls 11. The first wall 12 may be made of an acoustically hard material such as plastic, metal, glass, concrete, etc.

[0022] The plurality of walls 11 can also include a second wall 14 that generally faces the first wall 12. In this example, the second wall 14 does not necessarily have to be made of an acoustically hard material. However, the second wall 14 is not limited to being made of an acoustically hard material similar to the material used to make the first wall 12.

[0023] The plurality of walls 11 may also include a third wall 16 and a fourth wall 18. The third wall 16 and the fourth wall 18 may be disposed at the opposing ends of the first wall 12 and the second wall 14. In one example, the third wall 16 and the fourth wall 18 are connected to both the first wall 12 and the second wall 14. By connecting the third wall 16 and the fourth wall 18 to the first wall 12 and the second wall 14, a space 20 is defined between the plurality of walls 11. In one example, the space 20 may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. However, it should be understood that the space 20 may be in any of a number of different shapes.

[0024] The walls 12-18 that make up the plurality of walls 11 are made of similar materials and may be connected to each other via any one of a number of different means. For example, the walls 12-18 may be connected to each other using any one of a number of mechanical devices such as nails, screws, bolts, etc., or may be adhered to each other. Further, the walls 12-18 may be made in a single unit structure.

[0025] Located within the space 20 defined by the plurality of walls 11 are a plurality of semi-scatterers 26. The plurality of semi-scatterers 26 may be attached to the first wall 12. Generally, the plurality of semi-scatterers 26 are preferably attached to a wall made of an acoustically hard material such as the first wall 12.

[0026] Multiple semi-scatterers 26 may form an array. The semi-scatterers 26 are separated from each other by a distance d. It should be understood that the semi-scatterers 26 and the first wall 12 may be a single unit, or one of several different methods may be used to connect the semi-scatterers 26 to the first wall 12. In one example, the semi-scatterers 26 may be bonded to the first wall 12 using adhesive, but other types of methods for connecting the semi-scatterers 26 to the first wall 12, such as mechanical devices such as screws, bolts, clips, etc., may be used. Alternatively, as described above, the semi-scatterers 26 and the first wall 12 may be formed as a single unit. The semi-scatterers 26 may be made of an acoustically rigid material such as concrete, metal, glass, wood, plastic, or a combination thereof. In one example, the semi-scatterers 26 may be made of the same material as the first wall 12.

[0027] Each of the semi-scatterers 26 has a resonant frequency. The resonant frequencies of each of the semi-scatterers 26 may be the same or different. As will be described later, the sound absorbed by the sound barrier assembly 10 substantially coincides with the resonant frequencies of the semi-scatterers 26. By using acoustic scatterers with different resonant frequencies, the sound barrier assembly 10 can absorb sounds with different frequencies over a wider range.

[0028] In this example, a total of eight semi-scatterers 26 are attached to the first wall 12. However, it should be understood that any number of semi-scatterers 26 can be used. In some examples, only one semi-scatterer 26 may be used, while in other examples, a large number of semi-scatterers 26 may be used.

[0029] Projected sound 21, sometimes also called noise, can originate from one or a combination of several different sources. For example, the source of projected sound 21 may be a speaker, vehicle, aircraft, jet ski, train, etc. Again, it should be understood that the sound barrier assembly 10 can be used in any situation where it is desirable to eliminate or reduce sound of a specific frequency. The angle of incidence of sound waves such as projected sound 21 absorbed by the sound barrier assembly 10 varies based on the distance d between the multiple semi-scatterers 26.

[0030] The projected sound 21 is reflected at least partially by the first wall 12 without phase change. The semiscatterer 26 behaves like a monopole source at a certain distance from the first wall 12, and its mirror image also radiates a monopole moment. The two monopoles form a new plane wave with a direct reflection from the first wall 12 having a phase difference of 180°. In this way, the wave reflected by the first wall 12 is essentially canceled out by the new plane wave, and the projected sound 21 is absorbed.

[0031] The absorption performance of the sound barrier assembly 10 may be incident angle dependent. The sound barrier assembly 10 and semi-scatterers 26 disclosed herein operate over a relatively wide range of incident angles. Total absorption can be achieved even at incident angles of 30 and 45 degrees. However, higher-order diffraction modes will begin to propagate as the incident angle increases. This phenomenon alters the absorption performance. If higher-order diffraction modes are present at the scatterer resonance frequency and the incident angle is sufficiently large, the sound barrier assembly 10 may not achieve total absorption. The disclosed design is tunable so that the spacing between the semi-scatterers 26 can be reduced, and therefore the operating angle can be increased.

[0032] Another advantage of the acoustic scattering design disclosed herein is that, because the semi-scatterers 26 are spaced apart from each other, there may be ample space to combine one design with another to cover a wider range of frequencies. For example, semi-scatterers 26 having different resonant frequencies may be used to absorb and improve STL over a wider frequency range. The resonant frequencies are tuned by adjusting the size of the semi-scatterers 26 and the channels and / or cavities, as well as the width and length of the air channels. Different acoustic scattering designs can then be combined to achieve broadband performance.

[0033] The space between the semi-scatterers 26 of the sound barrier assembly 10 can be adjusted. The advantage of the adjustable spacing is that it allows for selection between density and the angle of action of the material. By reducing the spacing, the performance of the sound barrier assembly 10 becomes less sensitive to the angle of incidence of the wave.

[0034] The semi-scatterer 26 in Figure 2 can take any one of several different forms. For example, Figure 3A shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a semi-scatterer 26A. This is just one example of a design for the semi-scatterer 26A. Here, the semi-scatterer 26A has a generally semi-cylindrical shape. The semi-cylindrical semi-scatterer 26A includes a substantially semicircular portion 42A and a substantially flat portion 44A. The substantially flat portion 44A may be attached to the first surface 22 of the first wall 12 shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the semi-scatterer 26A and the first wall 12 shown in Figure 2 may be a single structure or may be connected to each other using the method described above. It should be understood that the semicircular portion 42A may take any one of several different shapes. These shapes may be non-planar, but any suitable shape may be used.

[0035] The semi-scatterer 26A may be made of any one of several different materials. As before, the semi-scatterer 26A may be made of an acoustically rigid material such as concrete, metal, glass, wood, plastic, or a combination thereof. In one example, the semi-scatterer 26A may be made of the same material as the first wall 12.

[0036] The overall shape of the semi-scatterer 26A may be substantially uniform along its length. In this example, the semi-scatterer 26A may include a first channel 48A having an open end 52A and a terminal end 56A. The semi-scatterer 26A may also include a second channel 50A having an open end 54A and a terminal end 58A. The open ends 52A and 54A may be in fluid communication with an opening 60A formed on the semicircular portion 42A of the semi-scatterer 26A. The opening 60A may be directly adjacent to the open ends 52A and / or 54A. The opening 60A may be adjacent to the line of symmetry 41A of the semi-scatterer 26A. With respect to the terminals 56A and 58A, these terminals are spaced apart from each other and are not in fluid communication with each other. The terminals 56A and 58A may be terminated in any one of several different shapes. Furthermore, the terminals 56A and 58A may be terminated in the form of a chamber or in the form of a closed channel.

[0037] Channels 48A and 50A may have a circumferential shape that generally follows the outer circumference defined by the semicircular portion 42A. The opening 60A may have a width substantially similar to the widths of channels 48A and 50A. However, the widths of the channels may differ considerably.

[0038] The semiscatterer 26A may have a line of symmetry 41A. In this example, the shape of the first channel 48A is essentially the same as the mirror image of the second channel 50A. Furthermore, the volumes of channels 48A and 50A may be substantially equal. In this disclosure, “substantially equal” should be understood to mean a difference of about 10% in the overall volume or shape of channels 48A and 50A. The resonant frequencies of channels 48A and 50A may be the same.

[0039] It should be understood that the number and shape of channels may vary depending on the application. In this example described, the semiscatterer 26A has two channels, channels 48A and 50A. However, more or fewer channels may be available. In the case of multiple channels, the additional channels may have similar shapes to each other, having the same channel cross-sectional area and length and the same cavity volume as the shown channels 48A and 50A.

[0040] As mentioned above, the semi-scatterer 26 in Figure 2 can take any one of several different shapes. Figure 3B shows another example of the semi-scatterer 26B, where the semi-scatterer 26B includes a first channel 48B and a second channel 50B. Both the first channel 28B and the second channel 50B have open ends 52B and 54B, respectively. The first channel 48B and the second channel 50B also have terminals 56B and 58B, respectively. The open ends 52B and 54B of channels 48B and 50B may be in fluid communication with an opening 60B that is generally formed on the outer circumference 42B of the semi-scatterer 26B. The opening 60B may be adjacent to the line of symmetry 41B of the semi-scatterer 26B. The terminals 56B and 58B may be in the form of chambers or in the form of closed channels.

[0041] As before, the flat surface 44B may be attached to the first surface 22 of the first wall 12 by any one of the several different methods mentioned. Furthermore, as before, the semi-scatterer 26B and the first wall 12 may be a single integrated structure.

[0042] In this example, the first channel 48B is essentially a zigzag channel. Furthermore, the first channel 48B includes first channel portions 49B and 57B which are generally parallel to each other and have similar arcs. The second channel 50B is similar in that it has first channel portions 51B and 53B which run generally parallel to each other and have similar arcs. However, any of several different designs can be used.

[0043] The semiscatterer 26B may also have a line of symmetry 41B. Thus, the first channel 48B may be essentially a mirror image of the second channel 50B. Similarly, the volume of the first channel 48B may be substantially equal to the volume of the second channel 50B.

[0044] Referring to Figure 4, another example of the sound barrier assembly 110 is shown. The sound barrier assembly 110 in Figure 4 has some similarities to the sound barrier assembly 10 in Figure 3A. Therefore, the same reference numbers are used to refer to similar elements, and the previous descriptions of these elements are similarly applicable here.

[0045] As before, the soundproof wall assembly 110 includes a plurality of walls 11. In this example, the plurality of walls 11 include a first wall 12, a second wall 14, a third wall 16, and a fourth wall 18. Furthermore, as before, a plurality of semi-scatterers 26 are attached to the first surface 22 of the first wall 12 so as to substantially face the space 20 defined by the plurality of walls 11.

[0046] As mentioned above, the semi-scatterer 26 is generally very good at absorbing low-frequency sound. Porous materials such as foam are generally good at absorbing higher-frequency sound. Thus, the soundproof wall assembly 110 also includes a porous material 28 located within the space 20 defined by the multiple walls 11. The porous material 28 may include channels, cracks and / or cavities that allow sound waves to enter the porous material 28. The sound energy is dissipated by heat loss caused by friction of air molecules within the porous material 28. The porous material 28 may occupy a portion of the space 20 or it may occupy all of the space 20, as shown in the figure.

[0047] The porous material 28 can be made of any type or combination thereof of sound-absorbing materials such as foam, rock wool, glass wool, recycled foam and / or aluminum rigid frame porous material, ceramic and polymer mesh fibrous materials. In this way, the sound barrier assembly 110 can reduce unwanted noise over a wide range of frequencies by utilizing both the semi-scatterer 26 and the porous material 28.

[0048] Referring to Figure 5, another example of the soundproof wall assembly 210 is shown. Similar to the soundproof wall assembly 10 in Figure 3A, the soundproof wall assembly 210 includes a plurality of walls 111. The plurality of walls 111 include a first wall 112, a second wall 114, a third wall 116, and a fourth wall 118. As before, the first wall 112 may face the second wall 114, and the third wall 116 may face the fourth wall 118. The plurality of walls 111 define a space 120 between them. In this example, the third wall 116 and the fourth wall 118 may be made of an acoustically rigid material, and the first wall 112 and the second wall 114 may be made of an acoustically flexible material.

[0049] Multiple walls 111 may be connected to each other using various different methods. In this example, the third wall 116 and the fourth wall 118 are individually connected to the first wall 112 and the second wall 114, respectively. These walls may be connected using any one of many different connection methods, such as the use of adhesive, nails, screws, bolts, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, multiple walls 11 may be constructed as a single, integrated structure.

[0050] The space 20 contains multiple modified scatterers 126 that are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 125. Note that the modified scatterer 126 closest to the third wall 116 and the fourth wall 118 is also spaced apart from the third wall 116 and the fourth wall 118 by a similar distance of 125. In this example, the modified scatterers 126 are shown. However, it should be understood that any number of modified scatterers 126 can be used.

[0051] The distance 125 between each and / or end of a row of altered scatterers 126 and the third wall 116 or fourth wall 118 is substantially equal. With respect to "substantially equal," this means that the distance 125 may vary by approximately 10%. The total number of altered scatterers 126 for the array to optimally absorb sound within the wall is roughly based on the distance between the third wall 116 and the fourth wall 118. The minimum total number (N) of acoustic scatterers required for an application can be expressed as follows:

[0052] N = D / (c / f) Here, D is the distance between the third wall 116 and the fourth wall 118, c is the speed of sound in air, and f is the resonant frequency of the monopole response and the dipole response.

[0053] The rotational direction of the modified scatterer 126 relative to sound 121 may not affect the ability of the modified scatterer 126 to absorb sound at the resonant frequency.

[0054] The modified scatterer 126 may have both an acoustic monopole response and an acoustic dipole response. An acoustic monopole radiates sound waves in all directions. The radiation pattern of a monopole generally has no angular dependence in terms of both the magnitude and phase of the sound pressure. The radiation pattern of an acoustic dipole has no angular dependence e iθ There exists a polar angle in two dimensions. The pressure field has the same magnitude and opposite phase at the same distance along two opposite radiation directions. The monopole response is equivalent to the sound emitted from a pulsating cylinder whose radius expands and contracts sinusoidally. The dipole response is equivalent to the sound emitted from two pulsating cylinders that are a short distance apart, with the two pulsating cylinders emitting sound of the same intensity but opposite phase.

[0055] The acoustic dipole response and acoustic monopole response of the modified scatterer 126 may have substantially similar resonant frequencies. As before, the term “substantially similar” with respect to resonant frequencies should be understood to mean that the resonant frequencies may differ by only about 10% or less. The modified scatterer 126 generally has a housing 127 that defines the overall shape of the modified scatterer 126. Generally, the housing 127 may be symmetrical across its entire width. However, the housing 127 may take any of a number of different shapes.

[0056] Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, cross-sections of different examples of the modified scatterers 126A and 126B are shown. It should be understood that the different designs of the modified scatterers 126A and 126B shown in Figures 6A and 6B are merely examples. The modified scatterer 126 can take any one of a number of different designs, not just those shown and described in this disclosure. Each of the modified scatterers 126A and 126B may have housings 127A and 127B that are substantially symmetrical in shape over the entire width of the housings 127A and 127B. Each housing 127A and 127B defines a substantially perimeter 128A to 128D. The substantially symmetrical shape over the entire width of the housings 127A and 127B may be substantially circular, as shown. However, it should be understood that any one of a number of different shapes may be utilized.

[0057] The modified scatterers 126A and 126B may have multiple channels. For example, the modified scatterer 126A has four channels 130A, 132A, 134A, and 136A. Thus, the modified scatterer 126A in Figure 6A is a four-channel modified scatterer. The modified scatterer 126B in Figure 6B has six channels 130B, 132B, 134B, 136B, 138B, and 139B. Thus, the modified scatterer 126B in Figure 6B is a six-channel modified scatterer. It should be understood that any one of the many channels may be utilized in the modified scatterers 126A and / or 126B. However, as will be discussed later, having three or more channels allows the modified scatterers 126A and / or 126B to be equally effective regardless of their rotational position.

[0058] As described above, the modified scattering body 126A is a four-channel modified scattering body and therefore has four channels 130A, 132A, 134A, and 136A. Each of the four channels 130A, 132A, 134A, and 136A has openings 140A, 142A, 144A, and 146A located adjacent to the outer circumference 128A. Furthermore, each of the four channels 130A, 132A, 134A, and 136A has terminals 150A, 152A, 154A, and 156A, respectively. The terminals 150A, 142A, 154A, and 156A may be located near the center 129A of the modified scattering body 126A. The terminals 150A, 152A, 154A, and 156A may be separated from each other and may not be in fluid communication with each other.

[0059] The volumes of channels 130A, 132A, 134A, and 136A may be substantially equal to each other. Furthermore, the overall shapes of channels 130A, 132A, 134A, and 136A across the entire width of the modified scattering body 126A may be substantially similar in shape and / or design.

[0060] With regard to the design of channels 130A, 132A, 134A, and 136A, the channels may generally have a zigzag shape. For example, with respect to channel 132A, the channel may have a zigzag in which one part 133A of channel 132A runs partially or substantially parallel to another part 135A of channel 132A. However, it should be understood that the channel design can vary considerably and does not necessarily have to be a zigzag design. Furthermore, this exact type of design may be such that one part of the channel does not run substantially parallel to another part of the channel, as shown in the example in Figure 6A.

[0061] Turning our attention to the modified scatterer 126B, as mentioned above, since the modified scatterer 126B is a 6-channel modified scatterer, it includes channels 130B, 132B, 134B, 136B, 138B, and 139B. Each of the six channels 130B, 132B, 134B, 136B, 138B, and 139B has openings 140B, 142B, 144B, 146B, 148B, and 149B located adjacent to the outer perimeter 128B. Furthermore, each of the six channels 130B, 132B, 134B, 136B, 138B, and 139B has terminals 150B, 152B, 154B, 156B, 158B, and 159B, respectively. The terminals 150B, 152B, 154B, 156B, 158B, and 159B may be located near the center 129B of the modified scattering body 126B. The terminals 150B, 152B, 154B, 156B, 158B, and 159B may be separated from each other and may not be in fluid communication with each other.

[0062] The volumes of channels 130B, 132B, 134B, 136B, 138B, and 139B may be substantially equal to each other. Furthermore, the overall shapes of channels 130B, 132B, 134B, 136B, 138B, and 139B across the entire width of the modified scattering body 126B may be substantially similar in shape and / or design.

[0063] With regard to the design of channels 130B, 132B, 134B, 136B, 138B, and 139B, the channels may generally have a zigzag shape. For example, with respect to channel 130B, the channel may have a zigzag in which one part 133B of channel 130B runs partially or substantially parallel to another part 135B of channel 130B. However, it should be understood that the channel design can vary considerably and does not necessarily have to be a zigzag design. Furthermore, this exact type of design may be such that one part of the channel does not run substantially parallel to another part of the channel, as shown in the example in Figure 6B.

[0064] The modified scatterers 126A and / or 126B can be made using any one of several different materials. For example, the modified scatterers 126A and / or 126B may be made from acoustically rigid materials such as plastic, silicon, glass, and / or metal.

[0065] Referring to Figure 7, another example of the sound barrier assembly 310 is shown. The sound barrier assembly 310 in Figure 7 has some similarities to the sound barrier assembly 210 in Figure 5. Therefore, the same reference numbers are used to refer to similar elements, and the previous descriptions of these elements are similarly applicable here.

[0066] As before, the soundproof wall assembly 310 includes a plurality of walls 111. In this example, the plurality of walls 111 include a first wall 112, a second wall 114, a third wall 116, and a fourth wall 118. As previously mentioned, the modified scatterer 126 is generally very good at absorbing low-frequency sound. Porous materials such as foam are generally good at absorbing higher-frequency sound. Thus, the soundproof wall assembly 310 also includes a porous material 128 located within the space 120 defined by the plurality of walls 111. The porous material 128 may include channels, cracks, and / or cavities that allow sound waves to enter the porous material 128. The sound energy is dissipated by heat loss caused by friction of air molecules within the porous material 128. The porous material 128 may occupy a portion of the space 120 or all of the space 120.

[0067] The porous material 128 can be made of any type or combination thereof of sound-absorbing materials such as foam, rock wool, glass wool, recycled foam and / or aluminum rigid frame porous material, ceramic and polymer mesh fibrous materials. In this way, the sound barrier assembly 110 can reduce unwanted noise over a wide range of frequencies by utilizing both the modified scatterer 126 and the porous material 128.

[0068] The preceding explanation is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the Disclosure, its applications, or uses. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" should be interpreted as meaning logically (A or B or C) using the non-exclusive logic "or". It should be understood that the various steps within the method may be performed in a different order without altering the principles of the Disclosure. The scope disclosure includes the full scope and the subdivided scope within the full scope.

[0069] The headings (such as "Background" and "Summary") and subheadings used herein are intended solely for general organization of the topics within this disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure of the technology or any aspect thereof. The descriptions of multiple embodiments having the described features are not intended to exclude other embodiments having additional features or other embodiments combining different combinations of the described features.

[0070] As used herein, the terms “equipment” and “include,” and their variations thereto, are intended to be non-limiting so that the enumeration of consecutive items or lists does not exclude other similar items that are also useful in the apparatus and methods of the Art. Similarly, the terms “may,” and “may,” and their variations thereto, are intended to be non-limiting so that the statement that an embodiment can or may equip with a particular element or feature does not exclude other embodiments of the Art that do not include such element or feature.

[0071] The extensive teachings of this disclosure can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of this disclosure should not be so limited, as other modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art through examination of the specification and the following claims. References to one aspect or various aspects in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment or a particular system is included in at least one embodiment or aspect. The phrase "in one aspect" (or a variation thereof) does not necessarily refer to the same aspect or embodiment. Furthermore, it should be understood that the various method steps discussed herein do not need to be performed in the same order as expressed, and that not every method step is required in every aspect or embodiment.

[0072] The descriptions of the embodiments described above are provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally interchangeable and can be used in selected embodiments, even if not specifically illustrated or described, although they are not limited to that particular embodiment. The same can also be modified in many ways. Such modifications should not be considered departures from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. Multiple walls constituting an air duct, which define space between the multiple walls, The system comprises at least one acoustic scatterer located in the space between the plurality of walls, The plurality of walls include a first wall and a second wall that face each other, The at least one acoustic scattering body is a semiscattering body having an aperture, a first channel and a second channel, The first channel has an open end and a terminal end. The aforementioned second channel has a second channel open end and a second channel end, The at least one acoustic scatterer is The flat portion attached to the first wall, A semi-cylindrical portion, which is connected to the flat portion and formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, A channel defining portion is formed between the flat portion and the semi-cylindrical portion, and together with the semi-cylindrical portion, defines the first channel and the second channel. It has a separation section that connects the flat section and the channel defining section, and separates the first channel end and the second channel end from each other, The opening is formed at the top of the semi-cylindrical portion, A sound-insulating wall assembly in which the first channel open end and the second channel open end are in fluid communication with the opening formed at the top of the semi-cylindrical portion.

2. The sound-insulating wall assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a porous material disposed in the space between the plurality of walls.

3. The sound-insulating wall assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one acoustic scatterer is a plurality of acoustic scatterers.

4. The plurality of acoustic scattering bodies are A first acoustic scatterer having a first resonant frequency, The sound-insulating wall assembly according to claim 3, comprising a second acoustic scatterer having a second resonant frequency.

5. The sound barrier assembly is configured to absorb sound waves of a frequency band within the range of sound emitted by a noise source, which is generated by the noise source. The sound barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frequency is substantially similar to the resonant frequency of the at least one sound scatterer.

6. Multiple walls constituting an air duct, which define space between the multiple walls, The system comprises at least one acoustic scatterer located in the space between the plurality of walls, The aforementioned plurality of walls include a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall. The first wall substantially faces the second wall, The first wall and the second wall are connected to the third wall and the fourth wall, The third wall is substantially adjacent to the fourth wall. The at least one acoustic scattering body is at least one modified scattering body having at least four apertures and at least four channels, Each of the at least four channels has an open end and a terminal end, and the terminal ends of the at least four channels are separated from each other. The at least one acoustic scattering body includes a cylindrical housing, The at least four openings are provided in the housing at intervals along the circumferential direction of the housing, The open end of each of the at least four channels is in fluid communication with each of the at least four openings. The at least four openings are, A first opening facing the first wall, A second opening facing the second wall, A third opening opposite the aforementioned third wall, The fourth wall includes a fourth opening facing the fourth wall, The at least one modified scattering material has an acoustic monopole response and an acoustic dipole response, A sound barrier assembly wherein the acoustic dipole response and the acoustic monopole response of the at least one modified scatterer have substantially similar resonant frequencies.

7. The array further comprises multiple modified scatterers that form an array of modified acoustic scatterers, The array of the modified acoustic scattering material is located between the first wall and the second wall. The array of modified acoustic scatterers comprises (N) acoustic scatterers, The number (N) of the aforementioned multiple modified scattering bodies is N = D / (c / f), The sound-insulating wall assembly according to claim 6, wherein D is the distance between the third wall and the fourth wall, c is the speed of sound in air, and f is the resonant frequency of the acoustic monopole response and the acoustic dipole response.

8. The soundproof wall assembly according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the space between the plurality of walls is substantially rectangular in shape.

9. The soundproof wall assembly according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the plurality of walls form a duct structure for guiding the movement of air.

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