Sound focusing mechanism and method of estimating acoustic leakage of an object and method of estimating transmission loss of an object

• US 20040258248A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Noiseout, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bonnie S. Schnitta, Mason A. Israel
• Inventors: Schnitta, Bonnie S., Israel, Mason A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,908,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 15/00 Measuring mechanical or acoustic impedance
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/26 Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence

Abstract

A sound focusing mechanism for generating a focused source of sound, which can be used to identify the transmission loss of an object or identify areas of acoustic leakage is disclosed. The sound focusing mechanism includes a housing having at least one wall formed from a material having high sound insulating properties. A sound generating device for generating a sound is located within a central cavity within the housing. An actuator assembly is operatively connected to the sound generating device for selectively operating the sound generating device. The wall is configured to limit the transmission of the sound there through such that a focused beam or pulse sound is emitted from the mechanism through the opening.

Claims

1. A sound focusing mechanism for generating a focused source of sound, comprising:

a housing, wherein the housing includes at least one wall which defines a central cavity, wherein one end of the housing having an opening formed therein;

a sound generating device for generating a sound is located within the central cavity; and

an actuator assembly operatively connected to the sound generating device for selectively operating the sound generating device,

wherein the wall limits the transmission of the sound generated by the sound generating device such that a focused sound is emitted from the sound focusing mechanism through the opening.

2. The sound focusing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed from a material having high sound transmission loss properties.

3. The sound focusing mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the material is a loaded vinyl.

4. The sound focusing mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the material has a high sound transmission class rating.

5. The sound focusing mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising;

a computer controller for selectively controlling the operation of the sound generating device.

6. The sound focusing mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the computer controller modifies the decibel level of the sound generated by the sound generating device.

7. The sound focusing mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the computer controller controls the duration of the sound generated by the sound generating device.

8. The sound focusing mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the computer controller controls the frequency of the sound generated by the sound generating device.

9. The sound focusing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the actuator assembly includes a remote control for remote activation of the sound focusing mechanism.

10. A method of determining the sound transmission loss of an object, comprising:

generating and directing a source of sound having a predetermined decibel level on one side of the object such that the transmission of sound is substantially localized on the object;

measuring the decibel level of sound on an opposite side of the object; and

comparing the predetermined decibel level to the measured decibel level to determine the transmission loss.

11. The method of determining the sound transmission loss of an object according to claim 10, wherein the source of sound is generated by a sound focusing mechanism whereby the sound focusing mechanism comprises:

a housing, wherein the housing includes at least one wall which defines a central cavity, wherein one end of the housing having an opening formed therein;

a sound generating device for generating a sound is located within the central cavity; and

an actuator assembly operatively connected to the sound generating device for selectively operating the sound generating device,

wherein the wall limits the transmission of the sound generated by the sound generating device such that a focused sound is emitted from the mechanism through the opening.

12. The method of determining the sound transmission loss of an object according to claim 11, wherein directing the source of sound on one side of the object includes positioning the opening in the sound focusing mechanism at a desired location on the object.

13. The method of determining the sound transmission loss of an object according to claim 12, further comprising:

repositioning the opening in the sound focusing mechanism at a plurality locations on the object to identify variations in transmission loss within the object.

14. The method of determining the sound transmission loss of an object according to claim 10, further comprising:

determining measures for improving transmission loss of the object based upon the measured transmission loss.

15. A method of locating acoustic leakage points along an object, comprising:

generating a sound having a predetermined decibel level;

directing the source of sound into the object such that the transmission of sound is substantially localized on the object;

measuring the decibel level of sound emitted along the object at various locations along the object; and

identifying areas of higher sound emission.

16. The method of locating acoustic leakage points along an object according to claim 15, wherein the source of sound is generated by a sound focusing mechanism whereby the sound focusing mechanism comprises:

a housing, wherein the housing includes at least one wall which defines a central cavity, wherein one end of the housing having an opening formed therein;

a sound generating device for generating a sound is located within the central cavity; and

an actuator assembly operatively connected to the sound generating device for selectively operating the sound generating device,

wherein the wall limits the transmission of the sound generated by the noise generating device such that a focused sound is emitted from the mechanism through the opening.

17. The method of locating acoustic leakage points along an object according to claim 16, wherein directing the source of sound into the object includes positioning the opening in the sound focusing mechanism at a desired location on the object.

18. The method of locating acoustic leakage points along an object according to claim 17, wherein the opening in the sound focusing mechanism positioned adjacent an opening in the object.

19. The method of locating acoustic leakage points along an object according to claim 15, further comprising:

determining measures for reducing acoustic leakage based upon the identified areas of higher sound emission.