Acoustic damper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to effectively attenuate ultra-low-frequency sound below 300 Hz without incurring impractically high weight or volume penalties, especially in applications with irregularly shaped structural pockets.

Innovation Solution

The acoustic damper employs a sound pickup unit with hollow flexible tubes of varying lengths, connected to a baffle block and cap, forming acoustic paths that attenuate sound across a wide frequency range, including ultra-low frequencies, by using bulk absorbers and tunable combinations of tube lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional acoustic treatments are used to attenuate ultra-low-frequency sound below 300 Hz, then sound attenuation is improved, but weight and volume increase impractically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound attenuationVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic treatment is segmented into multiple hollow flexible tubes of varying lengths, each targeting specific frequency ranges. This segmentation allows effective ultra-low-frequency attenuation through a compact array of individual elements rather than a single large mass of conventional material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional planar acoustic panels to three-dimensional hollow tubes extending in multiple directions from the pickup unit. This dimensional change enables effective sound attenuation in irregularly shaped structural pockets while maintaining compact overall size and reduced weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional acoustic treatments are used to attenuate ultra-low-frequency sound below 300 Hz, then sound attenuation is improved, but volume increases impractically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound attenuationVSAvoidvolume

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow flexible tubes are nested within or extend from the structural pockets of the housing, utilizing existing void spaces. This nesting approach allows the acoustic treatment to occupy minimal additional volume while effectively treating ultra-low-frequency sound across a broad frequency range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of flexible hollow tubes provides acoustic attenuation with minimal material volume compared to rigid conventional treatments. The flexible nature allows the tubes to conform to irregular structural pockets, maximizing sound attenuation effectiveness within available space while minimizing overall volume requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If acoustic treatment is added to irregularly shaped structural pockets, then sound attenuation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound attenuationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow flexible tubes serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide acoustic attenuation for ultra-low-frequency sound, can be routed through irregular structural pockets, and may be bundled together for installation efficiency. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the irregular installation environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible nature of the hollow tubes allows them to adapt dynamically to irregularly shaped structural pockets during installation. This flexibility eliminates the need for complex custom-fitted rigid structures, simplifying the overall device design while maintaining effective sound attenuation in irregular spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration provides a space-efficient solution to mitigate sound across a broad frequency range, including ultra-low frequencies as low as tens of Hz, while being practical in terms of weight and volume, and can be used in conjunction with conventional acoustic treatments.

Implementation Method 1

The hollow flexible tubes and pickup unit passageways define acoustic paths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic path: Sound

Implementation Method 2

A bulk absorber fills a portion of the hollow flexible tube at the outward end thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentUS11798524B2Acoustic damper

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE OKLAHOMA AGRI & MECHANICAL COLLEGE ACTING FOR & ON BEHALF OF OKLAHOMA STATE UNIV

AI summary

An acoustic damper has a sound pickup unit defining a plurality of pickup unit passageways. Hollow flexible tubes are connected to exit openings of the pickup unit passageways and extend outwardly therefrom. The hollow flexible tubes and pickup unit passageways define acoustic paths.