Nested Channel Noise Suppression via Additive Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing noise suppression systems for turbine systems, such as those in aircraft, are limited in their ability to effectively reduce noise using conventional manufacturing techniques, which can be costly and complex, and do not fully leverage the potential of additive manufacturing for improved performance.

Innovation Solution

A noise suppression apparatus featuring a body with nested channels and a surface portion, manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques, applies passive destructive interference to incoming sound waves by creating an out-of-phase sound field, reducing noise levels through complex patterns that would be impractical with traditional methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional manufacturing techniques are used to create noise suppression panels with flat or contoured surfaces, then the panels can be manufactured with standard processes, but the noise suppression performance is limited and manufacturing costs are high for complex configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise suppression performanceVSAvoidchannel configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nested channels where smaller channels are positioned within larger channels, creating a hierarchical structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple noise suppression pathways to be integrated within a compact volume, enhancing noise attenuation performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional flat or contoured panel surfaces to three-dimensional nested channel structures. This dimensional evolution enables sound waves to interact with the noise suppression material from multiple spatial directions, significantly improving noise suppression effectiveness across different frequencies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If complex nested channel configurations are implemented to improve noise suppression, then noise reduction performance increases, but manufacturing becomes more costly and complex using traditional methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically varies channel parameters including diameter, length, depth, and spacing of nested channels to optimize noise suppression across different frequency ranges. These parameter variations are designed to create resonant frequencies that target specific noise bands, achieving superior noise reduction while maintaining manufacturing practicality through standardized dimensional relationships

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional noise suppression panels with bulk absorber material or honeycomb structure are used, then the panels provide basic noise reduction, but they cannot achieve enhanced noise suppression performance with complex patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise suppression performanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nested channels where smaller channels are positioned within larger channels, creating a hierarchical structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple noise suppression pathways to be integrated within a compact volume, enhancing noise attenuation performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional flat or contoured panel surfaces to three-dimensional nested channel structures. This dimensional evolution enables sound waves to interact with the noise suppression material from multiple spatial directions, significantly improving noise suppression effectiveness across different frequencies

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 apparatus effectively attenuates noise by using additive manufacturing to create complex channel configurations that provide enhanced noise suppression performance, reducing manufacturing costs and improving noise reduction capabilities beyond traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

The passages are configured to receive noise energy from a noise source and to provide passive destructive interference by applying an out-of-phase sound field to incoming sound waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDestructive interference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP2996110B1Noise suppression apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP2996110B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2996110B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2996110B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A noise suppression apparatus includes a body portion including a plurality of nested channels, each channel of the plurality of nested channels including a first end opening and a second end opening, and a surface portion including each first end opening and each second end opening of each channel.