Modular Silencer Panel Sections Using Plastic Perforated Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional silencer panels for gas turbine systems are heavy, costly, and difficult to manufacture due to the use of stainless steel, requiring custom welding and fitting, which complicates noise reduction in industrial machines.

Innovation Solution

The use of plastic, perforated side walls for silencer panels and ducts, allowing for modular sections that can be easily assembled and slid into place, reducing manufacturing complexity and weight while providing enhanced acoustic attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If stainless steel enclosures are used for silencer panels, then acoustic attenuation is achieved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic attenuationVSAvoidpanel weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from stainless steel to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight characteristic while maintaining the acoustic attenuation function through the perforated panel design and acoustic absorbing material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining plastic material with acoustic absorbing material (mineral/glass wool), creating a hybrid system that achieves acoustic performance without the weight penalty of solid stainless steel enclosures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If stainless steel enclosures are used for silencer panels, then acoustic attenuation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to welding requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic attenuationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, difficult-to-manufacture stainless steel components with cheaper, easier-to-manufacture plastic components that can be produced through molding without welding, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical welding process with a molding process, eliminating the need for welding operations and associated complexity in joining stainless steel components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If custom-fit stainless steel panels are welded in place, then acoustic performance is optimized, but installation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the silencer panel into separable components (perforated plastic panel and acoustic absorbing material) that can be pre-assembled and then quickly installed as a complete unit, reducing on-site installation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables pre-assembly of the perforated plastic panel with the acoustic absorbing material before installation, allowing quality control and customization to be completed off-site, thereby accelerating the actual installation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution results in lighter, less expensive silencer panels with improved acoustic performance, reduced manufacturing costs, and the ability to customize panel sizes for various applications, while maintaining effective noise reduction.

Implementation Method 1

each panel typically includes an acoustic absorbing material such as mineral/glass wool positioned by a metal supporting member and surrounded by an enclosure including stainless steel perforated sheets on the sides thereof. The perforated stainless steel sheets hold the acoustic absorbing material intact with the supporting members and propagate the sound waves through the perforations into the acoustic absorbing material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3144489B1Silencer panel having sections and related silencer duct

Publication Date: 2020.10.28 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

A silencer panel (104, 204) section may include an acoustic absorbing material (110, 210), a first enclosure (112, 212) surrounding the acoustic absorbing material (110, 210), and a First coupler (270) configured to couple the first enclosure (112, 212) to a second enclosure (212B) of an adjacent silencer panel (104, 204) section. A silencer panel (104, 204) may employ a plurality of the sections coupled together to form a single silencer panel (104, 204). A silencer duct (202) may include a frame (102, 206) forming a working fluid flow path, and a plurality of silencer panel (104, 204) mounts (280) positioned within the frame (102, 206), each silencer panel (104, 204) mount (280) configured to slidingly receive a silencer panel (104, 204), such as the silencer panel (104, 204) described herein.