Tunable acoustic system

• US 5,930,371 A
• Filed: 01/07/1997
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cummins Filtration Incorporated (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Nelson Industries Incorporated (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: McIntosh, Jason D., Eriksson, Larry J., Zuroski, Michael T., Cheng, C. Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Application Number:
  US08/780,480
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 381/71.5, 381/71.7, 181/216, 181/219, 181/224
• US Class Current: 381/71.5
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/023 Helmholtz resonators
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/065 by using an active noise source, e.g. speakers
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/161 in systems with fluid flow G10K11/162 takes precedence; gas flow silencers or exhaust apparatus for machines or engines in general or for internal combustion engine F01N, noise absorbers in pipes or pipe systems F16L55/02; noise absorption in air conditioning and ventilation F24F13/24; silencing exhaust or propulsion jets in aircraft B64D33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17854 the filter being an adaptive filter
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17861 using additional means for damping sound, e.g. using sound absorbing panels
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17881 the reference signal being an acoustic signal, e.g. recorded with a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/112 Ducts
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/12822 Exhaust pipes or mufflers
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/32271 Active resonators

Abstract

An acoustic resonator (20) has a resonator cavity (22) with a resonator port (24) for communicating with an exhaust flow passage (26) conducting acoustic waves therethrough. Adjustable port structure varies acoustic impedance of the port by various combinations including translation to vary area along an arcuate surface, translation between discrete areas, translation to cumulatively open port area, multiple translation, multiple ports, rotational area change, and rotational length change. Adaptive control may be provided. A combined passive and active acoustic system may also be provided.

Claims

1. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure varying acoustic impedance of said port by varying of one said length and said area of said port along a movable arcuate surface, wherein said adjustable port structure comprises a pair of arcuate surfaces, including a first arcuate surface movable toward and away from a second arcuate surface, and wherein said first and second arcuate surfaces have different radii of curvature.

2. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure varying acoustic impedance of said port by varying of one said length and said area of said port along a movable arcuate surface, wherein said adjustable port structure comprises a pair of arcuate surfaces, including a first arcuate surface movable toward and away form a second arcuate surface, and wherein said first arcuate surface is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to said given direction to vary said area of said port.

3. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure varying acoustic impedance of said port by varying of one said length and said area of said port along a movable arcuate surface, wherein said adjustable port structure comprises a pair of arcuate surfaces, including a first arcuate surface movable toward and away form a second arcuate surface, and wherein said first arcuate surface is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to said given direction to vary said length of said port.

4. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure comprising a movable plate having first and second cut-outs and varying acoustic impedance of said port by movement varying one of said length and said area of said port, wherein said adjustable port structure comprises an opening of given diameter between said exhaust flow passage and said cavity, and wherein said plate is movable relative to said opening to cover and uncover said opening, said first and second cut-outs being spaced along said plate by a distance greater than said given diameter, and wherein said first and second cut-outs have different areas.

5. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure comprising a movable plate having a cut-out, and comprising first and second openings communicating between said exhaust flow passage and said cavity and spaced by a distance greater than the transverse dimension of said cut-out in said plate, said plate being movable relative to said openings to cover and uncover same, including to a position with said cut-out between said first and second openings and said plate covering and closing said first and second openings, wherein said first and second openings have different areas.

6. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic wave therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure comprising a movable plate having a cut-out, and comprising first and second openings communicating between said exhaust flow passage and said cavity and spaced by a distance greater than the transverse dimension of said cut-out in said plate, said plate being movable relative to said openings to cover and uncover same, including to a position with said cut-out between said first and second openings and said plate covering and closing said first and second openings, wherein said first and second openings have different shapes.

7. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure comprising a plate rotational about a rotation axis parallel to said given direction and having a cut-out movable along an arc upon rotation of said plate and varying acoustic impedance of said port by varying one of said length and said area of said port.

8. The resonator according to claim 7 wherein said adjustable port structure comprises a plurality of openings arranged in a circumferential pattern and communicating between said exhaust flow passage and said cavity, said cut-out in said plate being movable along said arc into alignment with respective said openings.

9. The resonator according to claim 7 wherein said adjustable port structure comprises an opening communicating between said exhaust flow passage and said cavity, and wherein said plate has a plurality of cut-outs arranged in a circumferential pattern and movable along said arc respectively into alignment with said opening upon rotation of said plate.

10. The resonator according to claim 7 wherein said plate comprises a first semicircular plate rotatable about said rotation axis, and comprising a second semicircular plate rotatable about said rotation axis, said plates being rotatable to a fully aligned position providing maximum port area, said plates being rotatable to a fully misaligned position providing minimum port area, said plates being rotatable to partially aligned positions providing respective pie-shaped openings of differing areas.

11. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure comprising a first surface movable by rotation about a rotation axis parallel to said given direction to a first position providing minimum acoustic impedance of said port, and movable by rotation about said rotation axis to a second position providing maximum acoustic impedance of said port.

12. The resonator according to claim 11 wherein rotation of said surface about said rotation axis varies said area of said port.

13. The resonator according to claim 11 wherein rotation of said surface about said rotation axis varies said length of said port.

14. The resonator according to claim 11 wherein said surface extends radially outwardly from said rotation axis, and comprising a second surface extending radially outwardly from said rotation axis, said first and second surfaces being movable relative to each other toward and away from each other along an arc about said rotation axis to vary said area of said port.

15. The resonator according to claim 14 comprising a first plate rotatable about said rotation axis and having an edge providing said first surface, and a second plate rotatable about said rotation axis and having an edge providing said second surface.

16. The resonator according to claim 15 wherein each of said first and second plates is semicircular.

17. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure varying acoustic impedance of said port, said adjustable port structure comprising first and second members movable relative to each other, at least one of said members having a plurality of cut-outs covered and uncovered by the other member during said relative movement, wherein a first of said members is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to said given direction to vary said area of said port.

18. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, adjustable port structure varying acoustic impedance of said port between said exhaust flow passage and said cavity by varying the length of said port and comprising a rotary member rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to said given direction, and wherein rotation of said rotary member about said rotation axis changes said length of said port.

19. The resonator according to claim 18 wherein said port structure comprises a first generally cylindrical member having a cylinder axis extending along said given direction from a first end at said exhaust flow passage to a second end in said cavity, said rotary member comprises a second generally cylindrical member concentric with said first cylindrical member and having a cylinder axis extending along said given direction from a first end at said exhaust flow passage to a second end in said cavity, said first and second cylindrical members having cut-outs in their cylindrical sidewalls which align and misalign upon rotation of said second cylindrical member, said length of said port being lesser when said cut-outs align, and greater when said cut-outs misalign.

20. The resonator according to claim 19 wherein said first cut-out extends from said second end of said first cylindrical member toward said second end of said first cylindrical member, said first cut-out having first and second sides tapering towards each other as said first cut-out extends away from said second end of said first cylindrical member, said first cut-out defining a first in the cylindrical sidewall of said first cylindrical member, said first having a lateral width between said first and second sides and extending transversely to said given direction, said lateral width of said first decreasing as said first cut-out extends away from said second end of said first cylindrical member, said second cut-out extends from said second end of said second cylindrical member toward said second end of said second cylindrical member, said second cut-out having first and second sides tapering towards each other as said second cut-out extends away from said second end of said second cylindrical member, said second cut-out defining a second in the cylindrical sidewall of said second cylindrical member, said second having a lateral width between said first and second sides of said second cut-out and extending transversely to said given direction, said lateral width of said second decreasing as said second cut-out extends away from said second end of said second cylindrical member.

21. The resonator according to claim 20 wherein:

during rotation of said second cylindrical member in one rotational direction, said second side of said second cut-out moves toward said first side of said first cut-out, and said second side of said second cut-out meets said first side of said first cut-out at a junction which moves along said given direction toward said second ends of said first and second cylindrical members, increasing said length of said port; and

during rotation of said second cylindrical member in the opposite rotational direction, said second side of said second cut-out moves away from said first side of said first cut-out, and said junction moves toward said first ends of said first and second cylindrical members, decreasing said length of said port.

22. The resonator according to claim 21 wherein each said cut-out at its maximum width extends along an arc which is 50% or less of the circumference of the respective said cylindrical member.

23. The resonator according to claim 22 wherein each of said cut-outs is parabolic in shape.

24. The resonator according to claim 19 wherein said second cylindrical member surrounds said first cylindrical member and is coaxial therewith.

25. The resonator according to claim 24 wherein said first cylindrical member is fixed relative to said exhaust flow passage.

26. The resonator according to claim 18 wherein said cavity is fixed relative to said exhaust flow passage, and said adjustable port structure varies said length of said port without moving said cavity relative to said exhaust flow passage.

27. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, an adaptive controller driving adjustable port structure varying acoustic impedance of said port by varying one of said length and said area of said port, said exhaust flow passage having an input receiving an input acoustic wave, and an output outputting an output acoustic wave, said controller comprising an adaptive filter model having a model input from a reference signal correlated to said input acoustic wave, a model output outputting a correction signal to said adjustable port structure, and an error input receiving an error signal from an error transducer sensing said output acoustic wave, wherein said adjustable port structure comprises a plate rotational about a rotation axis parallel to said given direction and having a cut-out movable along an arc upon rotation of said plate and varying acoustic impedance of said port by varying one of said length and said area of said port.

28. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, an adaptive controller driving adjustable port structure varying acoustic impedance of said port by varying one of said length and said area of said port, said exhaust flow passage having an input receiving an input acoustic wave, and an output outputting an output acoustic wave, said controller comprising an adaptive filter model having a model input from a reference signal correlated to said input acoustic wave, a model output outputting a correction signal to said adjustable port structure, and an error input receiving an error signal from an error transducer sensing said output acoustic wave, wherein said adjustable port structure comprises a first surface movable by rotation about a rotation axis parallel to said given direction to a first position providing minimum acoustic impedance of said port, and movable by rotation about said rotation axis to a second position providing maximum acoustic impedance of said port.

29. An acoustic resonator comprising a resonator cavity having a resonator port for communicating with an exhaust flow passage conducting acoustic waves therethrough, said resonator port defining an acoustic propagation path along a given direction therethrough from said exhaust flow passage into said cavity, said port having a length extending parallel to said given direction, said port having an area extending along a plane transverse to said given direction, an adaptive controller driving adjustable port structure varying acoustic impedance of said port by varying one of said length and said area of said port, said exhaust flow passage having an input receiving an input acoustic wave, and an output outputting an output acoustic wave, said controller comprising an adaptive filter model having a model input from a reference signal correlated to said input acoustic wave, a model output outputting a correction signal to said adjustable port structure, and an error input receiving an error signal from an error transducer sensing said output acoustic wave, wherein said adjustable port structure varies acoustic impedance of said port between said exhaust flow passage and said cavity by varying the length of said port.