Acoustic Panel Engine Compartment Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Watercraft with internal combustion engines experience significant noise and vibration due to acoustic resonance in large engine compartments, particularly on vessels with flat decks, leading to passenger discomfort.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating at least one acoustic panel in the engine compartment to divide it into multiple sub-compartments, with the panel extending perpendicular to the longitudinal centerplane, made of fire-resistant and waterproof foam, to partially surround the engine assembly and reduce noise and vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the engine compartment is made large to accommodate the engine and related components, then the engine can be properly installed with sufficient space for maintenance, but noise and vibration increase due to acoustic resonance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine compartment volumeVSAvoidnoise and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The engine compartment is divided into multiple smaller sub-compartments using acoustic panels positioned at strategic locations. These panels partition the large compartment into smaller sections, reducing acoustic resonance while maintaining the overall volume needed for engine installation and maintenance access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If acoustic panels are added to reduce noise and vibration, then passenger comfort is improved, but the device complexity and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise and vibrationVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Acoustic panels made of flexible, fire-resistant, and waterproof materials are used to divide the engine compartment. These panels can be made of foam or fabric-covered structures that provide acoustic absorption without requiring heavy rigid construction, thus reducing structural complexity while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If acoustic panels occupy large cross-sectional area to effectively reduce noise, then noise reduction performance is improved, but the space available for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction performanceVSAvoidavailable space for components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Acoustic panels are positioned vertically within the engine compartment, utilizing the vertical dimension to create noise reduction barriers without significantly reducing the horizontal space available for engine components. The panels extend from the top deck downward, occupying vertical cross-sectional area while preserving horizontal component placement space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The acoustic panels effectively reduce noise and vibration by dividing the engine compartment into smaller sub-compartments, minimizing sound wave propagation and absorption of high-frequency sounds, thereby enhancing passenger comfort.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one acoustic panel is disposed in the engine compartment to partially divide the engine compartment into a plurality of sub-compartments... The at least one acoustic panel occupies part of a cross-sectional area of the engine compartment... The part of the cross-sectional area of the engine compartment that is occupied by the at least one acoustic panel corresponds to at least a majority of the cross-sectional area of the engine compartment that is not occupied by the engine assembly cross-sectional area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentUS20230242234A1Hull assembly for a watercraft having an acoustic panel and watercraft having same

Publication Date: 2023.08.03 BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PROD INC

AI summary

A watercraft includes a deck, a hull, an engine assembly disposed in the engine compartment and including an engine, a drive system powered by the engine, and at least one acoustic panel. The hull partly defines an engine compartment having an engine compartment length. The engine has an engine length that is less than half of the engine compartment length. The at least one acoustic panel is disposed in the engine compartment to partially divide the engine compartment into a plurality of sub-compartments. In a vertical plane perpendicular to a longitudinal centerplane of the watercraft and extending through the at least one acoustic panel, the at least one acoustic panel occupies part of at least a majority of the cross-sectional area of the engine compartment that is not occupied by an engine assembly cross-sectional area, which is defined by a projection of the engine assembly on the vertical plane.