Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound separating system for separating signals such as intelligible sound, for example, speech, from unwanted noise, such as random noise, when both the noise and the intelligible speech sound are present in an acoustical field and the intelligible speech sound is provided from a source located within the acoustical field. The system comprises a first and second sensing transducer located within the field which both pick up both the intelligible speech sound and the noise. Each sensing transducer generates a representative output signal. The two sensing transducer are in close proximity to each other and the intelligible sound is correlated at said first and second sensing means relative to the sound's source.

Abstract: A system for reducing noise of a noise generator such as a fan located in a housing includes a short duct directing air to the fan housing. An input transducer is located in the duct at a position further removed from the fan than a cancellation noise source which is also located in the duct. An electronic controller with embedded frequencies related to the steady state operation of the fan inputs cancellation signals to the cancellation source. The input transducer also responds to the random noise of the fan to provide control signals to the controller for generating signals for the cancellation source. The input duct can be multi-cellular with respect of the input transducer and the cancellation source.

Abstract: A conventional voice microphone placed in non-critical spaced relation to a source of intelligible speech sound while exposed to an acoustical field of ambient noise, electrically transmits output signals attenuated under control of a signal processing controller to which a sampled input of noise signals is fed by a reference microphone exposed to the same acoustical noise field as the voice microphone for audio reproduction of the speech sound without background noise by programming of the controller.

Abstract: Acoustical energy is directed into a vessel containing an unknown volume of fluid at a frequency at or near the Helmholtz resonance of the vessel. The signal generated within the vessel is analyzed to compare its phase relationship to an electrical reference input signal. The volume of fluid in the vessel may then be determined from said phase relationship, such as by previous empirical calibration of the vessel.

Abstract: The acoustical energy output of a source is varied in frequency between limits to sweep a frequency band encompassing cavity resonance conditions which depend on the quantity of a fluent material within a tank excited by such acoustical energy. The volume of the fluent material is calculated from the excitation frequency registered during verified detection of resonance conditions, based on abrupt changes in signal characteristics and stored data relating to the geometry of the acoustic sensor arrangement through which the tank interior is monitored.