By Wave Interference Patents (Class 181/206)
  • Patent number: 8613312
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for stimulating a borehole of a well. The invention provides an apparatus that generates low-frequency seismic type elastic waves that propagate to the geologic formation and in order to enhance the movement of fluids in the geologic formation toward a well. The apparatus may operate automatically driven by a power source that may be located on the ground surface. The regime of operation may be determined by user input. Operation of the apparatus may carried out while production of a natural resource is ongoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Technological Research Ltd
    Inventor: Alfredo Zolezzi-Garreton
  • Patent number: 8485309
    Abstract: An apparatus for damping acoustic waves that includes a volume of fluid having actively excited acoustic waves, an enclosure disposed in the volume of fluid including delimiting surfaces which define a cavity, at least one of the delimiting surfaces being permeable to the fluid, such that fluid may be exchanged between the cavity and the volume, and at least one sound producer disposed proximate the cavity to actively excite the actively excited acoustic waves in the fluid disposed in the cavity such that acoustic waves are damped in the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumahrt E.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Busse, Claus Heuwinkel, Lars Enghardt, Ingo Röhle
  • Patent number: 8453788
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing dynamic noise elimination. A system frame includes a plurality of acoustical sensory devices monitoring the system for problem frequencies. The system frame includes a plurality of tubes. When the tube is open, airflow is allowed. When identified tubes are closed, quarter-wavelength attenuation is provided for a frequency in a range of frequencies, based upon a length of the tube when closed. Each of the plurality of tubes is selectively controlled to be operable open or closed at a particular length, responsive to identified problem frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cary M. Huettner, Joseph Kuczynski, Robert Ernst Meyer, III, Michael D. O'Connell, Timothy J. Tofil
  • Publication number: 20130129036
    Abstract: An arrangement for the active vibration compensation of an x-ray emitter includes a counteracting vibration generation unit arranged outside of the x-ray emitter for reducing a vibration produced during operation of the x-ray emitter. The counteracting vibration generation unit is actively connected to the x-ray emitter and generates a counteracting vibration that is phase-shifted by 180 degrees relative to the vibration. By attaching active counteracting vibrators in the vicinity of the vibration generator, vibrations generated by the x-ray emitter are directly reduced at the source. A further transfer of vibrations to other system parts such as a C-arm 6 is reduced and/or prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Simens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Berthold Baumann, Andreas Körner, Christian Obst
  • Patent number: 8434588
    Abstract: In a exhaust device for an vehicle internal combustion engine, an exhaust pipe (20) of an engine (11) branches at a branching point (B) into a downstream-side first branch pipe (32) and a downstream-side second branch pipe (33). A first silencer (36) is attached to the first branch pipe (32), and a second silencer (37) is attached to the second branch pipe (33). The first branch pipe (32) and the second branch pipe (33) are different in at least one of bending rigidity and mass so that when the first branch pipe (32) and the second branch pipe (33) are vibrated in a specific vibration frequency range, vibrations of the two branch pipes (32, 33) cancel out each other at the branching point (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Matsueda
  • Patent number: 8365861
    Abstract: A muffler unit for a fume extractor hood includes an active noise suppression system, at least one loudspeaker, and at least two microphones connected to a control unit, and a passive noise suppression system having sound-absorbent material disposed between the microphones. The muffler unit further includes a conduit with upper fixing element and lower fixing element designed to be removably fixed to a motor unit and to a conveyor plate of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ask Industries S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Massini, Massimiliano Caimmi, Francesco Violi, Marco Vizzaccaro
  • Patent number: 8331577
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure for the electronic device and a duct extending from an interior to an exterior of the enclosure to exhaust airflow from the enclosure. The electronic device further includes an active noise control mechanism. The active noise control mechanism includes an internal sensor, an external sensor, and an acoustic wave generator. The internal sensor is arranged within the enclosure to sense a noise and generate an internal sensor output, and the external sensor is arranged outside of the enclosure to detect sounds and generate an external sensor output. Based on the internal sensor output and the external sensor output, the acoustic wave generator generates an acoustic wave within the duct to reduce the noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Geoff Lyon, Mehrban Jam, Ian N Robinson
  • Patent number: 8270628
    Abstract: Method for influencing noise, wherein a noise source (16), in particular an engine in a motor vehicle, generates the noise with a substantially periodically variable excitation, and wherein a reference variable which is characteristic of the noise source, in particular an engine speed, is present at predetermined successive supply instants (ti), comprising the method steps; reading out at least a first value (Ni?1) of the reference variable at a first supply instant (ti?1) and a second predetermined value at a second supply instant (ti); generating the reference signal (12) at at least one instant (t) between the second supply instant (ti) and a third supply instant (ti+1) as a function of the first and second values that were read out; and sending the reference signal (12) to a device for actively influencing noise (11), which generates activation signals (13) for at least one actuator (14) as a function of the reference signal (12), wherein the at least one actuator (14) emits compensation sound, which inte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Müller-BBM
    Inventors: Fabian Evert, Roland Lippold, Rolf Schirmacher, Florian Walter
  • Patent number: 8215446
    Abstract: A region of air is manipulated to reflect, absorb, or redirect sound energy to prevent the sound energy from reaching a listener separated from the sound source by the region of air. The region of air may be manipulated by directing ultrasonic sound waves with a sound pressure level of at least 140 decibels at the region of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: F. Joseph Pompei
  • Patent number: 8213176
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a silencer. The silencer includes an enclosure with a first airflow path configured to allow air to pass through the enclosure and attenuate noise entering the enclosure. The enclosure also includes an opening configured to provide a second airflow path if the first airflow path is obstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Shailesh N. Joshi
  • Patent number: 8184820
    Abstract: A noise control system is directed to the path along which the noise is transmitted from the source of the noise being generated to the receiver of the noise in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. The noise control system is deployed in a box structure, such as the dual bulkhead of the dashboard of the vehicle, to provide a constrained volume within which engine noise can be controlled. The dual bulkhead plenum houses an active noise control apparatus, such as a speaker or a vibrating device, between the bulkheads to be operable with a control algorithm to generate sound that can control the noise or vibrations generated by the engine. The plenum can also be treated with passive noise control materials, such as viscoelastic damping materials, acoustical foam or heavy vinyl barrier and foam to block airborne sound and vibrations, in addition to the active noise control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Takeshi Abe, Robert G. Rebandt, II, Ming-te Cheng
  • Patent number: 8172036
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an acoustic metamaterial may include providing a planar pattern of springs arranged in columns and rows and separated from each other by interconnection nodes, providing a planar pattern of mass units separated from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between the interconnection nodes, providing an array of vertically oriented springs separated from each other by the distance between the interconnection nodes, and aligning and joining the planar pattern of springs, the planar pattern of mass units and the array of vertically oriented springs to form a layer of unit cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Minas H. Tanielian
  • Publication number: 20120097477
    Abstract: A standing wave attenuation device is installed in a cabin of a vehicle so as to reduce a standing wave caused by external noise such as road noise. The standing wave attenuation device provides a closed loop including a feedback comb filter with a feedback loop, a microphone, a speaker, and a delay element. The delay element adjusts the phase of the output signal of the feedback comb filter such that the time needed for one-time circulation of a signal through the feedback loop matches a half period of the standing wave. An original sound including the standing wave is picked up by the microphone and subjected to processing so that the speaker produces a sound wave with the inverse phase against the phase of a sound wave constituting the standing wave, so that the standing wave is canceled out by the sound wave emitted from the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sekine, Rento Tanase, Keiichi Fukatsu, Shinichi Kato, Atsushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8155332
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that attenuates noise from a fan exhaust of a computer system. During operation, the system monitors the noise from the fan exhaust and calculates a frequency spectrum of the noise from the monitored noise. Next, the system generates an antiphase spectrum from the frequency spectrum and generates a flow of air which exhibits a property of the antiphase spectrum. Finally, the system directs the flow of air into the fan exhaust so that the noise is attenuated by a reduction of turbulence in the fan exhaust by the flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Charles E. Kinney
  • Patent number: 8144889
    Abstract: A noise control system operable within a box-like structure provided by the dual bulkhead plenum of the vehicle dashboard positioned within the transfer path along which the noise is being transmitted from the source of the generated noise to the receiver of the noise in the passenger compartment of an automobile. The plenum is divided into discrete chambers into each of which is provided smart materials affixed to the walls of the plenum to be operable for selectively changing a property characteristic of the chambers to vary the acoustic resonance of the plenum and change the effectiveness of controlling the transmission of noise energy therethrough. A controller is coupled to the smart materials to change said property characteristic of the smart material in response to noise cancellation requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ming-te Cheng, Takeshi Abe, Robert G. Rebandt, II
  • Patent number: 8122732
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator having a noise reduction structure. According to the refrigerator, a branch pipe for reducing the intensive noise occurring from an impeller part is provided to a discharge pipe connected so that the refrigerant is discharged in a direction of a condenser from the impeller part. Therefore, the traveling sound wave of the noise traveling along the discharge pipe and the reverse sound wave traveling toward the branch pipe provided to the outer periphery of the discharge pipe meet each other, so that the both sound waves are cancelled to reduce the noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joon Keun Lee, Jeong Ho Kim, Won Ki Park
  • Patent number: 8116482
    Abstract: A microphone for use in windy environments. The microphone uses a transducer to flood the environment outside the microphone with a high frequency (such as an ultrasonic) acoustic field. The sounds desired to be detected are mixed with the high frequency carrier, and can then be received by the microphone with less wind noise. The microphone then demodulates the desired sound signals from the high frequency carrier. The microphone can be configured in a special emitter-receiver configuration that also reduces interference from engine noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Stephen Anthony Cerwin, Martin Gray Dennis
  • Patent number: 8085944
    Abstract: The invention relates to an active noise cancellation device. The invention proposes a device and a method used to cancel the noise in an exhaust gas channel of a vehicle A noise signal is received form the exhaust gas channel, using a sound sensor, a frequency signal which has same amplitude as of noise signal but opposite phase, is generated, the generated frequency signal is acoustically mixed with the noise signal in the exhaust gas channel, using a sound converter, there by reducing the noise in the exhaust gas channel. The device also takes into account the reflection of the sound caused by an obstacle near the exhaust gas channel. A distance measuring device which is external to the active noise cancellation device provides the information about the distance between the obstacle and the exhaust gas channel. Based on the distance, the frequency signal is suitably modified to reduce the effect of sound reflections caused by the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Kassner
  • Patent number: 8040021
    Abstract: A device for damping of vibrations for an item of equipment comprising a structure to which a first element and a second fragile element having to be protected from the vibrations are coupled. The device comprises first piezoelectric transducer means inserted between the structure and the first element and charged with converting energy of vibration of the structure into electric energy, at least one sensor coupled to the structure and arranged to deliver measurement signals representative of vibrations, control means electrically supplied by the electric energy generated and charged with deducing at least one amplitude of movement to compensate at least partially for the vibration, and to deliver control signals representative of each determined amplitude, and second piezoelectric transducer means inserted between the structure and the second element and charged with converting the control signals into movement to damp at least partially for the second element the vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Laurent Blanchard, Jean Dupuis
  • Patent number: 8035966
    Abstract: A thermal management system (101), comprising (a) a synthetic jet actuator (103), and (b) a processor (107) in communication with the synthetic jet actuator, the processor being adapted to receive programming instructions, and being further adapted to modify the operation of the synthetic jet actuator in response to the programming instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nuventix, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Reichenbach, John Stanley Booth
  • Patent number: 8005235
    Abstract: A noise control system is operable within a box-like structure provided by the dual bulkhead plenum of the vehicle dashboard positioned within the transfer path along which the noise is being transmitted from the source of the generated noise to the receiver of the noise in the passenger compartment of an automobile. The plenum is divided into discrete chambers into each of which is provided a counter noise generating apparatus to create a counteracting noise offsetting the noise generated at the source. The acoustic resonance of the chambers amplifies the noise control energy. The geometry of the individual chambers can be varied to optimize the packaging and sound control or shaping strategy. The sound energy permitted to pass through the plenum to the driver's side of the passenger compartment can be tuned to be different than the noise received in the passenger's side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Rebandt, II, Ming-te Cheng, Takeshi Abe
  • Patent number: 7990701
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis with a fan installed therein, a cover plate adapted to be attached to the chassis, and a noise absorber attached to the cover plate. The fan is capable of generating an amount of air flow for cooling at least a component in the chassis. The noise absorber includes a plurality of protrusions facing the fan and capable of damping the air flow that impacts the cover plate and decreasing an acoustic noise level of the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Wen Yeh, Zhen-Neng Lin
  • Patent number: 7970148
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing simultaneous enhancement of transmission loss and absorption coefficient using activated cavities is presented. A layer of material is provided, and a backing plate having a plurality of cavities on the top surface of said backing plate, is disposed adjacent a top surface of said layer of material. A screen is disposed along the top surface of said cavities on said backing plate and at least one cavity includes an actuator disposed within the cavity and a control system receiving a signal from the microphone and receiving a signal from the accelerometer and providing a drive signal to the actuator to provide an acoustic output to provide simultaneous insertion loss and absorption which serves to minimize a linear combination of the signal from the microphone and the signal from the accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Paul James Remington, Alan Robert Douglas Curtis, Istvan L. Ver
  • Patent number: 7946383
    Abstract: A system for reducing an acoustic load of a fluid flow includes a first pipe. The first pipe includes a first end and a second end and a first aperture and a second aperture, the first and second apertures being intermediate the first and second ends. A second pipe includes a first end and a second end and a third aperture intermediate the first and second ends. The second pipe is connected at its first end to the first pipe at the first aperture. A bypass pipe includes a first end connected to the second aperture of the first pipe and a second end connected to the third aperture of the second pipe. A method of reducing an acoustic load of a flow in a standpipe connected to a first pipe configured to carry a main flow includes providing a bypass flow from the first pipe to the standpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventor: John J. Lynch
  • Patent number: 7934582
    Abstract: A noise and vibration reduction system for an engine affixed to a body and a method for reducing vibrations in the body produced by that engine during operation. The present invention is particularly related to noise and vibration reduction in auxiliary power units installed on long-haul trucks and similar types of transportation vehicles. The primary noise and vibration reduction components of the present invention include an air intake silencer, a vibration tuner, and an engine speed limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Go Green APU LLC
    Inventors: Edward Joseph O'Malley, Glenn Thomas Williamson, Richard Glen Shaff
  • Patent number: 7929295
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a computer system. The system includes an enclosure configured to house a plurality of electronic devices. The system also includes a fan coupled to the enclosure and configured to provide a flow of cooling air through the enclosure to cool the electronic devices. The system also includes a first airflow path configured to allow the cooling air to exit the enclosure and attenuate noise generated in the enclosure. The system also includes an auxiliary outlet configured to provide a second airflow path if the first airflow path is obstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Shailesh N. Joshi
  • Patent number: 7896126
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a sound suppressor device including a first plate, a second plate in opposition to the first plate, and a connector between the first and second plates such that the first plate, the second plate, and the connector define a sealed cavity containing a gas at a pressure, wherein the device has a resonant frequency selected to vibrate out-of-phase with respect to a noise source for suppressing noise from the noise source while the noise source and the device are immersed in a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Haberman, Robert J. Barile
  • Patent number: 7891463
    Abstract: The present invention to an active muffler for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, includes a multi-shell housing having a pot-shaped top shell and a pot-shaped bottom shell, a funnel-shaped sound conducting body, which is inserted into the bottom shell and has a connection passing through the bottom shell and out of the housing, a loudspeaker, which is situated in the top shell and is attached to a flange section of the sound conducting body at a distance from the connection, such that a free inside cross section of the sound conducting body surrounded by the flange section is closed with an airtight seal, and a bypass through which an interior space of the top shell is connected to an interior space of the bottom shell so they communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: J. Eberspaecher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Krüger, Frank Castor, Manfred Müller, Georg Wirth
  • Patent number: 7854295
    Abstract: An active noise control apparatus and an active noise control system for reducing noise using an active vibrator, such that edges ? of the vibrator (i.e. genesis locations of a bending moment of force caused by the vibrator) agree with positions ? on a distribution of the bending moment of force caused by noise vibration of a panel, and such that the edges ? of the vibrator are aligned with the positions ? on the panel where a sign, of the distribution of the bending moment of force over the panel caused by the noise vibration, reverses. As a result, a control vibration approximate to the noise vibration can be excited. Accordingly, when the vibrator is fixed by agreeing the edges ? of the vibrator with the positions ? determined by noise frequency desired to be reduced, noise due to a target noise frequency can be effectively reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Kakuhari
  • Patent number: 7819221
    Abstract: A flexible membrane is attached to an internal wall of the fairing of a flight vehicle. The membrane is inflated with gas to achieve a shape that couples with and thereby attenuates the first acoustic resonance occurring within the volume enclosed by the fairing. A sensor senses the varying ambient atmospheric pressure during flight. A pressure regulating system includes an inflation valve and pressure relief valve. Based on the sensed ambient atmospheric pressure, this system adjusts the membrane's gauge pressure throughout the flight trajectory to maintain the desired coupling gauge pressure. Acoustic blankets can also be attached to the internal walls of the fairing to abate resonances having frequencies greater than 500 Hz. Inflating the membrane with helium enhances the attenuation otherwise obtained. Multiple membranes can be individually tuned to respectively attenuate multiple acoustic resonances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Steven A. Lane, Robert E. Richard, Steven F. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20100252677
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a cabin in which at least part of the space is demarcated by trim panels and the cabin is provided with a system for the active control of ambient noise. Each trim panel is either an active panel including actuators powered by the active noise control system or a passive panel without such actuators. In addition, the trim panels of the cabin of the one type, either active or passive, are mechanically interchangeable with a panel of the other type, either passive or active, respectively. Power supply wiring for active panels is installed in the aircraft, this wiring being capable of powering all active panels which could be installed, whether said active panels are actually installed or whether interchangeable passive panels are installed. Finally, a power supply system for the active panels is installed in the aircraft and connected to the power supply wiring of the active panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: European Aeronautic Defence And Space Company EADS France
    Inventor: Benoit Petitjean
  • Publication number: 20100252358
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fan is used to generate airflow through a computer chassis to a fan air inlet. An audible frequency component of the airflow is identified and selected. A sound wave is generated having a generated frequency equal to the selected audible frequency component of the airflow. The generated sound wave is introduced into the airflow with the generated frequency out of phase with the audible frequency component of the airflow. The magnitude of the generated frequency may be selected as a function of fan speed and/or air sensed pressure within the airflow. The frequency, phase, and magnitude of the generated sound wave may be selected and enforced by a baseboard management controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terence Rodrigues, Bhyrav Murthy Mutnury, Moises Cases, Bruce J. Wilkie
  • Patent number: 7800895
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a drive for recording/reproducing a recording medium, and a sound absorbing member having a Helmholtz resonator for insulating sounds at a predetermined frequency among sounds generated by the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Inoue, Sumio Otsuka, Norio Kobayashi, Toru Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7775320
    Abstract: A method of controlling noise from a six cylinder engine that can selectively use in separate operating modes either three cylinders, four cylinders, or all six cylinders, is provided that uses a noise cancellation system to provide a cancellation sound at a first frequency representative of the engine operating mode. When the vehicle changes, for example, from a three cylinder utilization mode to six cylinder utilization mode, the method extends the provision of the noise cancellation sound, at a frequency representative of three cylinder operation, beyond the time when three cylinder mode is changed to six cylinder mode. As a result, a residual “pop” noise associated with the vehicle exhaust, that is traditionally heard during the transition period is cancelled and no longer noticeable. The method also includes implementation of a waiting time before a providing cancellation sounds of different frequencies, to avoid amplitude mismatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel McCain, Hajime Igami, Yoshiyuki Hayashi, Toshio Inoue, Kosuke Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7762373
    Abstract: A fan noise control apparatus is provided to facilitate the reduction of noise. According to the preferred embodiments, an acoustically transparent portion is provided to permit noise from one source to pass through to interact and cancel with another noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: J. Stuart Bolton, Moohyung Lee, Kenichi Seki, Hiroto Ido
  • Patent number: 7753165
    Abstract: In a method and a device for canceling the noise in an exhaust gas channel of a vehicle, a noise signal is received from the exhaust gas channel using a sound sensor, and a frequency signal which has the same amplitude and the opposite phase as the noise signal is generated. The generated frequency signal is acoustically mixed with the noise signal in the exhaust gas channel using a sound converter, there by reducing the noise in the exhaust gas channel. In addition, the temperature in the exhaust gas channel is calculated based on the received sound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Kassner
  • Patent number: 7724515
    Abstract: In a disk array apparatus, by taking note of a first sound of a specific frequency which is a noise element of original sounds generated from a fan, a second sound whose phase is inverted to that of the first sound is generated by a structure of a cooling air flow path passing through the fan, and the second sound is synthesized with the first sound on the cooling air flow path, thereby reducing the noise. For example, an exhaust duct is located on a fan unit in an upper part of the apparatus, two flow paths extending to an exhaust port are formed in an internal structure of the exhaust duct, and the two flow paths are designed so that the difference in the flow path length therebetween becomes equivalent to half wavelength of the specific frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fukuda, Hitoshi Matsushima
  • Patent number: 7711124
    Abstract: A method for attenuating the low-frequency noise generated at the outlet (18) of an exhaust line (14). A signal representing the noise to be attenuated is defined; a first high-frequency acoustic wave (F1) is emitted from a first transducer (22) into an attenuation region (26) of the exhaust line (14), the first acoustic wave having a carrier frequency higher than 50 kHz; and a second high-frequency acoustic wave (F1+?fcb) is emitted by a second transducer (24) into the attenuation region (26) of the exhaust line, the second acoustic wave having the carrier frequency of the first high-frequency acoustic wave (F1) and containing a low-frequency counter-noise signal (?fcb) which is out of phase with the signal representing the noise to be attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Systemes d'Echappement
    Inventor: Christian Garabedian
  • Patent number: 7644803
    Abstract: A silencing device disposed to the outside of a fan 2 that discharges air from the interior of a device 1 to the outside. The silencing device includes a reflection plate 6 provided substantially normal to the rotation axis 2a of the fan 2, and a right-angled parallelepiped shaped duct 4 that guides air from the fan 2 to the outside of the device 1. The reflection plate 6 is disposed at the other end of the duct 4, an air discharge slit 7 is formed in at least one of the four sides of the reflection plate 6, and the distance from the fan 2 to the reflection plate 6 satisfies the relationship L=(?/2)×n. n is a natural number, and ? is the wavelength of the maximum component from among the wavelength components that constitutes the sound generated by the fan 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Hashizume
  • Patent number: 7631726
    Abstract: An air induction silencer assembly includes an acoustic interference member disposed within a conduit. The acoustic interference member is tuned to acoustically cancel a selected noise energy frequency. An acoustic absorbing member is also disposed within the conduit. The acoustic absorbing member converts noise energy within the conduit into heat energy to attenuate noise energy within the air induction silencer assembly. The air induction silencer assembly connects to a flexible conduit that includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a flexible joint that connects the inlet portion and the outlet portion together. The flexible joint includes a rolling lobe and a rolling surface. The rolling lobe moves along the rolling surface when the inlet portion moves relative to the outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Donald McWilliam, Jason Lorne Pettipiece, Roderic Cole, Fran Warren
  • Publication number: 20090301805
    Abstract: Edges ? of a vibrator, that is, genesis locations of a bending moment of force caused by a vibrator, agree with positions ? on a distribution of the bending moment of force caused by noise vibration of a panel, where the sign of the distribution of bending moment of force is reversed. As a result, control vibration approximate to the noise vibration can be excited. Accordingly, when the vibrator is fixed by agreeing the edges ? of the vibrator with the positions ? determined by noise frequency desired to be reduced, noise due to a target noise frequency can be effectively reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Isao KAKUHARI
  • Publication number: 20090260916
    Abstract: The invention relates to an active noise cancellation device. The invention proposes a device and a method used to cancel the noise in an exhaust gas channel of a vehicle A noise signal is received form the exhaust gas channel, using a sound sensor, a frequency signal which has same amplitude as of noise signal but opposite phase, is generated, the generated frequency signal is acoustically mixed with the noise signal in the exhaust gas channel, using a sound converter, there by reducing the noise in the exhaust gas channel. The device also takes into account the reflection of the sound caused by an obstacle near the exhaust gas channel. A distance measuring device which is external to the active noise cancellation device provides the information about the distance between the obstacle and the exhaust gas channel. Based on the distance, the frequency signal is suitably modified to reduce the effect of sound reflections caused by the obstacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Robert Bosh GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe KASSNER
  • Publication number: 20090255754
    Abstract: The present invention to an active muffler for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, includes a multi-shell housing having a pot-shaped top shell and a pot-shaped bottom shell, a funnel-shaped sound conducting body, which is inserted into the bottom shell and has a connection passing through the bottom shell and out of the housing, a loudspeaker, which is situated in the top shell and is attached to a flange section of the sound conducting body at a distance from the connection, such that a free inside cross section of the sound conducting body surrounded by the flange section is closed with an airtight seal, and a bypass through which an interior space of the top shell is connected to an interior space of the bottom shell so they communicate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: J. EBERSPAECHER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jan Kruger, Frank Castor, Manfred Muller, Georg Wirth
  • Publication number: 20090236173
    Abstract: A method of controlling noise from a six cylinder engine that can selectively use in separate operating modes either three cylinders, four cylinders, or all six cylinders, is provided that uses a noise cancellation system to provide a cancellation sound at a first frequency representative of the engine operating mode. When the vehicle changes, for example, from a three cylinder utilization mode to six cylinder utilization mode, the method extends the provision of the noise cancellation sound, at a frequency representative of three cylinder operation, beyond the time when three cylinder mode is changed to six cylinder mode. As a result, a residual “pop” noise associated with the vehicle exhaust, that is traditionally heard during the transition period is cancelled and no longer noticeable. The method also includes implementation of a waiting time before a providing cancellation sounds of different frequencies, to avoid amplitude mismatch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel McCain, Hajime Igami, Yoshiyuki Hayashi, Toshio Inoue, Kosuke Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20090205903
    Abstract: Method for influencing noise, wherein a noise source (16), in particular an engine in a motor vehicle, generates the noise with a substantially periodically variable excitation, and wherein a reference variable which is characteristic of the noise source, in particular an engine speed, is present at predetermined successive supply instants (ti), comprising the method steps; reading out at least a first value (Ni?1) of the reference variable at a first supply instant (ti?1) and a second predetermined value at a second supply instant (ti); generating the reference signal (12) at least one instant (t) between the second supply instant (ti) and a third supply instant (ti+1) as a function of the first and second values that were read out; and sending the reference signal (12) to a device for actively influencing noise (11), which generates activation signals (13) for at least one actuator (14) as a function of the reference signal (12), wherein the at least one actuator (14) emits compensation sound, which interfe
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: MULLER-BBM GMBH
    Inventors: Fabian Evert, Roland Lippold, Rolf Schirmacher, Florian Walter
  • Publication number: 20090180635
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that attenuates noise from a fan exhaust of a computer system. During operation, the system monitors the noise from the fan exhaust and calculates a frequency spectrum of the noise from the monitored noise. Next, the system generates an antiphase spectrum from the frequency spectrum and generates a flow of air which exhibits a property of the antiphase spectrum. Finally, the system directs the flow of air into the fan exhaust so that the noise is attenuated by a reduction of turbulence in the fan exhaust by the flow of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Charles E. Kinney
  • Publication number: 20090173568
    Abstract: In a method and a device for canceling the noise in an exhaust gas channel of a vehicle, a noise signal is received from the exhaust gas channel using a sound sensor, and a frequency signal which has the same amplitude and the opposite phase as the noise signal is generated. The generated frequency signal is acoustically mixed with the noise signal in the exhaust gas channel using a sound converter, there by reducing the noise in the exhaust gas channel. In addition, the temperature in the exhaust gas channel is calculated based on the received sound signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Uwe Kassner
  • Patent number: 7533759
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an active muffler for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, having at least one antinoise generator for applying antinoise to the exhaust gas, whereby the antinoise generator has a diaphragm drive with which it is coupled via at least one coupling element in a thermally conducting and noise-reducing manner to an outside wall of the muffler, which is in contact with the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: J. Eberspaecher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Krueger, Frank Castor
  • Patent number: 7530426
    Abstract: A device for actively reducing sound transmission, provided with a first and second wall (3, 5) enclosing an inner space (1, 2), wherein at least the second wall (5) is provided with actuators (6), for instance eletromagnetic actuators and/or piezoeleteric elements, wherein the said inner space is provided with at least one inner wall (4) to divide this space into at least two layers of air (1, 2), which inner wall (4) is arranged such that the layers of air (1, 2) are in fluid connection with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventor: Arthur Perry Berkhoff
  • Publication number: 20090057054
    Abstract: A sound generator for a vehicle is provided, including a hollow drum having a sound radiation panel structurally and acoustically coupled thereto. The drum has an aperture formed in an outer wall thereof. The drum is adapted to be in fluid communication with an air conduit of the vehicle. The sound radiation panel covers at least a portion of the aperture and is adapted to radiate sound energy to at least one of an engine compartment and an interior of the vehicle. A vehicle system including the sound generator and a method for manufacturing the sound generator are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: John David Kostun, Mark Donald Hellie, Christopher Edward Shaw, Anthony Charles Arruda, Martin James Styles