Noise Suppression Disk for Game Ball Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Game balls inflated with low permeability gases like SF6 experience pressure loss and noise issues due to gas molecule permeation and unattached noise suppression materials that disrupt ball symmetry and performance.
Innovation Solution
A game ball with a freestanding noise suppression disk made of open-cell foam, partially inflated with SF6 at manufacture, and fully inflated with air at retail to maintain pressure and reduce noise, while adhering to weight and pressure regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If free-moving noise suppression materials are placed in the ball cavity, then noise is reduced, but ball symmetry and performance are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The noise suppression material is enclosed within a thin film or shell that allows it to suppress noise while maintaining ball symmetry. The flexible enclosure permits the material to conform to the ball's internal geometry without disrupting its external symmetry or performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The noise suppression material is strategically positioned and shaped to provide localized noise reduction in specific areas of the ball cavity while maintaining overall symmetry. This allows noise suppression functionality without compromising the ball's balanced performance.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If low permeability gases like SF6 are used for inflation, then pressure retention is improved, but noise increases due to resonant frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
A noise suppression material is introduced as an intermediary element within the ball cavity to mediate between the low permeability gas and the ball's structural components. This material absorbs or dampens the resonant frequencies generated by the SF6 gas while allowing the gas to maintain its pressure retention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball employs a composite structure combining the low permeability gas (SF6) with noise suppression materials to achieve both pressure retention and noise reduction. The composite system leverages the complementary properties of the gas and the suppressive material to resolve the contradiction between pressure retention and noise generation.
3Loss of substance
If gas molecules permeate through the membrane over time, then pressure is lost, but the ball remains playable for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the inflation system by using low permeability gases with larger molecular sizes that slow down the permeation rate through the membrane. This parameter change extends the time required for significant pressure loss, thereby extending the ball's playable life despite ongoing permeation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball is pre-filled with low permeability gas at manufacturing to establish a pressure buffer that compensates for gradual permeation losses over time. This beforehand cushioning of pressure ensures the ball remains within playable pressure ranges for extended periods despite continuous gas permeation through the membrane.
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 solution effectively suppresses noise without adding weight or disrupting the ball's symmetry, extending the ball's pressurized shelf-life and maintaining performance across varying altitudes.
Implementation Method 1
to combat loss of inflation pressure due to the permeation of small gas molecules through the membrane of a ball
Implementation Method 2
containing a freestanding noise suppression disk in the hollow internal cavity of the ball
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable game ball containing a noise suppression device and a method for inflating the game ball are described. More particularly, a free standing, noise suppression disk is fit snuggly within a central area of the hollow internal cavity formed by the bladder of the game ball. The diameter of the noise suppression disk is slightly larger than the diameter of the hollow internal cavity of the ball, while the thickness of the disk is sufficient to provide necessary rigidity to the game ball noise suppressor without adding excess weight to the ball. An exact amount of SF6 is pre-filled in the balls, when combined with subsequent air, is determined to create the ultimate SF6 to air ratio range at various altitude levels. Subsequently, the balls are only partially inflated at the time of manufacture with the SF6 gas, and no air.