Plastic Perforated Silencer Panel for Gas Turbine Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional silencer panels for industrial machines, particularly in gas turbine systems, are heavy, costly, and difficult to manufacture due to the use of stainless steel enclosures that require extensive welding, making them cumbersome and expensive to custom-fit for specific duct sizes.

Innovation Solution

The use of a silencer panel system with a plastic, perforated side wall enclosure, which reduces weight, fabrication costs, and eliminates the need for extensive welding, while providing enhanced acoustic performance through increased perforation area and improved sound attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If stainless steel enclosures are used for silencer panels, then strength and durability are improved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenclosure strengthVSAvoidpanel weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from stainless steel to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight and manufacturing characteristics while maintaining functional performance through design adaptations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction with plastic enclosures combined with acoustic absorbing materials, creating a composite structure that achieves both weight reduction and acoustic functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If stainless steel enclosures are used for silencer panels, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to welding requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenclosure integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical welding system with a plastic joining system, eliminating the complex welding process while maintaining structural integrity through plastic-specific joining methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adopts plastic enclosures that are easier and cheaper to manufacture, accepting that they may have different lifecycle characteristics compared to stainless steel, thereby reducing overall system cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If stainless steel perforated sheets are used, then acoustic performance is achieved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise attenuationVSAvoidpanel weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, reducing weight while maintaining acoustic performance through optimized perforation design and material properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If custom fitting for specific duct sizes is required, then acoustic performance is optimized, but manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates enclosures with universal characteristics that can be adapted to different duct sizes more easily, reducing the need for completely custom-manufactured panels for each application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 plastic perforated side wall system offers improved noise reduction with approximately 2 dB or more attenuation, reduced weight, lower costs, and simplified manufacturing, making it easier to handle and install compared to traditional steel systems.

Implementation Method 1

The plastic perforated side wall propagate the sound waves through the perforations into the acoustic absorbing material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3144503B1Silencer panel and system having plastic perforated side wall
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP3144503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3144503B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3144503B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A silencer panel 104 includes an acoustic absorbing material 110; and an enclosure 112 surrounding the acoustic absorbing material. The enclosure includes at least one plastic, perforated side wall 14.