Partitioned Wall Curb for HVAC Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air treatment units, such as HVAC systems, face challenges in meeting stringent sound level reduction standards without major redesigns, leading to increased costs for manufacturers and consumers.
Innovation Solution
A wall curb with a perimeter frame and partitioned interior chamber that separates airflow into non-linear supply and return plenums, incorporating sound-absorbing materials and adjustable features like invertible inserts and dampers to reduce noise transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If air treatment units are designed to meet stringent sound level standards (35 dbA), then sound emission is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases due to major redesign requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The wall curb is divided into separate modular components including a perimeter frame, partition wall, supply plenum, and return plenum. This segmentation allows the sound reduction features to be added as a separate module rather than redesigning the entire HVAC unit, thereby reducing sound emission without proportionally increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The wall curb acts as an intermediary structure between the HVAC unit and the building wall. It provides sound absorption and non-linear airflow paths that reduce noise transmission into the building, allowing existing HVAC units to meet sound standards without major redesign
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a partition wall is added to create separate supply and return plenums, then sound transmission is reduced through non-linear airflow paths, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall divides the curb's interior chamber into separate supply and return plenums, creating non-linear airflow paths that reduce sound transmission. The segmentation is achieved through standardized modular components that, while increasing structural complexity, use common construction elements
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall serves multiple functions: it separates supply and return airflows, creates non-linear paths for noise reduction, and provides structural support for the curb assembly. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by achieving sound reduction without requiring additional separate components
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 minimizes sound emission from air treatment units, allowing them to meet stringent sound level standards without extensive redesigns, thereby reducing noise pollution and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sound absorbing material may be positioned on at least some inside surfaces of the return plenum
Data Source
AI summary
A device for reducing sound from an air treatment unit includes, in one embodiment, a wall curb. The air treatment system includes a supply opening and a return opening. The wall curb includes a frame portion defining an interior chamber. A partition divides the interior chamber into a supply plenum in a first portion of the interior chamber and a return plenum in a second portion of the interior chamber. A curb supply opening is formed through the perimeter frame in communication with the supply plenum. A curb return opening is formed through the perimeter frame in communication with the return plenum. The curb return opening is positioned such that airflow through the return plenum is non-linear and a sound absorbing material may be positioned on at least some inside surfaces of the return plenum.