ACOUSTIC PANEL, PARTITION, AND SYSTEM
The invention(s) disclosed herein include various panels, components of panels, partitions, systems, and/or methods that increase acoustic insulation by mitigating sound (e.g., before it enters an area and/or a room). For example, some embodiments include a movable partition that is comprised of a plurality of panels that each hang from the ceiling, where the interface between two partitioned panels includes various gaskets, damping elements, and perforations that mitigate sound transmission from one side of the partition to the other. Other features of the partition (and panels that make up the partition) include upper and lower drops seals that in some embodiments have a labyrinth-like design and thus mitigate the flow of air between the partition and the ceiling/floor. Also, a membrane positioned inside the panel is disclosed that is especially effective at mitigating low frequency sound, for example.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/673,325, filed Jul. 19, 2012 on behalf of the present inventor, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDOne or more embodiments of the invention(s) described herein relate to the field of acoustics and, more specifically, architectural acoustics. Even more particularly, one or more embodiments of the invention(s) involve an acoustic panel, while others involve a partition of a plurality of acoustic panels. While the embodiments described herein typically relate to movable acoustic panels and partitions, i.e., panels and partitions that are movable as part of a movable panel system and/or a movable partition system, a number of the aspects/components of these that are discussed herein also are applicable to non-movable acoustic panels and partitions. Accordingly, various panels, components of panels, partitions, systems, and/or methods that increase acoustic insulation by mitigating sound (e.g., before it enters an area and/or a room) are discussed herein, among others.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are few things more frustrating than being disturbed by unwanted sound, more commonly referred to as noise. For instance, employees gathered in a room/area to conduct a meeting generally do not want to hear conversations, music, etc., from an adjacent room/area—which is true regardless of whether the two rooms/areas are separated by a wall or a partition of panels. With respect to the latter, it is therefore desirable that the partition, and/or each panel of the partition, mitigate sound from the adjacent area/room as much as possible before it enters the partitioned room/area (as noise).
As is commonly known, air and vibration are two of the main ways that sound is typically transmitted from one side of a partition (i.e., from a first area/room) to the other (i.e., to a second area/room). In terms of air, there are three locations that are particularly important to seal as best as possible: the interfaces respectively between each of the partition's panels, the interface between each panel (and/or the partition as a whole) and the ceiling (and/or an interface associated with the ceiling, such as those that interface with rails connected to one or more panels), and the interface between each panel (and/or the partition as a whole) and the floor. In fact, prior art partitions typically include some methods/components for limiting air flow in one or more of these areas; however, they are not very effective.
For example, because a panel-floor gap is necessary to prevent ceiling-hung panels from dragging on the floor when they are being repositioned, some prior art panels include a drop seal to mitigate the flow of air between the panel and floor (i.e., the panel-floor interface) once the panel has been repositioned. The problem is that as the prior art drop seal 420 (e.g., depicted in
On the other hand, one of the reasons that vibration can be so problematic is that panel frames are typically constructed out of materials that transmit it well, such as sheet steel or aluminum. Accordingly, when sound from one area/room encounters one side/face of the panel/partition, it produces a vibration, which is transmitted through the (e.g., sheet steel or aluminum) frame of the panel/partition to the other side/face of the panel/partition to another area/room.
Finally, an additional way in which sound/noise is often transmitted from one side of a panel to the other is through the panel's non-interface/body region. Despite the fact that exteriors and interiors (i.e., non-frame portions) of acoustic panels are often comprised of various sound insulating materials—such as drywall, laminates, wood agglomerates, polyurethane, polystyrene, glass, mineral fibers, acoustic blankets, or a mixture of two or more of these, among other materials known to those skilled in the art—many prior art panels still typically do not sufficiently/significantly mitigate sound of certain frequencies, such as low octave bands in the audible spectrum (e.g., 125 Hz, 63 Hz and 31.5 Hz), from substantially passing from one side of the panel and/or partition to the other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the invention to solve one or more of the above-mentioned problems/issues. Accordingly, among others, the invention(s) disclosed herein relate to various panels, components of panels, partitions, systems, and/or methods that increase acoustic insulation by mitigating sound. While many of the embodiments disclosed relate to movable panels/partitions, some aspects of the invention(s) disclosed need not be limited to movable embodiments.
For example, various gaskets are disclosed that mitigate the flow of air/sound through two panels in a partition. Also, a drop seal design is disclosed that minimizes air/sound that may otherwise flow (e.g., via prior art drop seals) from one side of a panel/partition to the other. Various dampening components are also discussed that mitigate vibration through a panel/partition. A membrane is also disclosed that also absorbs sound. Perforated members of panels are also discussed, which allow sound to flow out of a passage between two panels, where at least some of the sound is absorbed by insulation after it flows out of the passage.
In some but not all embodiments, the acoustic panel 10 hangs relative to a ceiling, or other comparable surface, and is moveable (relative to the ceiling or other surface) via one or more panel-ceiling connectors 101, such as the two shown in
Before going into more detail, it should be noted that
Accordingly, the movable acoustic panel system 77 includes (a) at least one panel 10 (or 10D for the non-perforated panel system 77D depicted in
Having made that clear, it should be noted that an alternative panel is identical to the panel 10 (or the non-perforated version of panel 10, namely panel 10D) but includes the panel-ceiling connector 101. Similarly, an alternative movable acoustic panel system includes (a) the alternative panel just described (i.e., that is identical to the panel 10 (or 10D) but includes the panel-ceiling connector 101) and (b) the panel-ceiling connector interface 103. And, an alternative movable acoustic partition system is identical to the movable acoustic panel system just described, but includes at least two panels position as a partition.
Returning to the drop seals 20U, 20L, the upper drop seal 20U is extendable and extends to the extended position 40E, which in some embodiments is any distance away from the retracted position that does not exceed the length of the drop seal members 555, 557 (which are discussed below with reference to the lower drop seal 20L but are essentially identical with respect to the upper drop seal 20U). In some but not all embodiments, the upper drop seal is designed with respect to the dimensions of the panel body 5 so that it can extend up to (and touch) a ceiling 103C for which it is intended or up to a surface 103T associated with the panel-ceiling connector interface 103, depending on how the panel-ceiling connector interface 103 is connected to the ceiling (as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art). In any event, it will be readily understood that the distance between the upper surface 21U of the upper drop seal 20U and the surface/ceiling will decrease when it moved to its extended position 40E from its retracted position 40S (not shown in
As further seen from
In this regard, it should be emphasized that the shape of the member (e.g. male 63M or female 63F) is distinguishable from the same as the shape of the end (e.g., 60M, 60F) of which the member is included. For instance, in some but not all embodiments, the first/male end 60M includes the first/male member 63M, the male damping element 90M, the male outer gasket 85G (which, as explained below, in some but not all embodiments also functions as the male outer damping element portion 85O; and, thus is the exact same component in some embodiments) and the male inner damping element portion 85I. In turn, in some but not all embodiments, the female end 60F includes the female member 63F, female damping element 90F, the female outer gasket 87G (which, as explained below, in some embodiments can also function as the female outer damping element portion 87O; and, thus is the exact same component in some embodiments), the female inner damping element portion 87I, the upper and lower gaskets 200U, 200L, the inner gasket 116A (which includes two tubes 116B, 166C), and two connecting elements 127C, 127D. Also, an upper window for the upper gasket 300U and an upper window for the upper gasket 300L are also depicted in
Also, though this will be discussed in more detail below, in this document the word ‘partition’ is meant to refer to at least two panels—such as, for (a non-limiting) example, two panels like the acoustic panel 10 (or 10D)—that have formed an interface. In turn, the word ‘interface’ is meant to describe a relationship where at least the first end (e.g., male end) of a first panel is touching the second end (e.g., female end) of a second panel. In some embodiments, like the ones depicted in
Moreover, in various portions of this document, the word ‘passage’ will be used to refer to the space, with respect to a partition 169 depicted in
Returning again to the panel 10 shown in
In the panel 10 embodiment depicted in
With respect to
Additionally, as can be seen from various figures included herein (e.g.,
As will become apparent in discussions below, outer gaskets 85G and 87G are quite similar, except that the gasket 85G is on the male end 60M and the female gasket 87G is on the female end 60F and connected to another (i.e., a different type of gasket compared to outer gaskets 85G and 87G) gasket 116A—which are a pair of tubes 116B, 166C, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2—via connecting elements 127C, 127D. In many parts of this document the other gasket 116A is referred to as the ‘inner’ gasket since in some, but not all, embodiments it is positioned between what in commonly referred to herein as the ‘outer’ gaskets 85G, 87G when a partition of two panels is formed. However, in other embodiments, there is only an inner gasket 116A and no outer gaskets 85G, 87G; and in some additional embodiments, there are only outer gaskets 85G, 87G and no inner gasket 116A.
In addition, in some embodiments, the connecting members 127C, 127D—which each respectively connects a portion (tubes 116B and 116C respectively) of the inner gasket 116A to a portion of the outer gasket (87X and 87Y)-serves as a connecting (i.e., a third type of) gasket 127G, 127H. Again, as above with respect to the outer gaskets and outer damping elements, each of two components is also here being referred to with two reference numbers. That is, the first connecting member 127C is also being referred to as the first connecting gasket 127G since it not only connects the first female outer gasket 87X and first inner gasket 116B but, at least in some embodiments (like as shown in
Further, (a fourth type of gasket referred to as) an upper gasket 200U and a lower gasket 200L are also shown in
Additional gaskets (which reflect a fifth type of gasket) include an upper drop seal gasket 23U, which is positioned on top the upper drop seal 20U, and a lower drop seal gasket 23L which is positioned on the bottom of the lower drop seal 20L. As shown with respect to
The panel 10 further includes an inner layer 115 of sound-absorbing insulation in some, but not all, embodiments. In some of these embodiments, the insulation layer 115 is at least partially contained/kept in place by the first outer layer 130A and the second outer layer 130B.
As also will further be discussed later, some, but not all, embodiments also include a membrane layer 150. In some of these embodiments, the membrane 150 is positioned within the insulation layer 115 to help further mitigate sound, as shown in
Getting back to
Before moving on, it may be worth explaining here at least partially how the membrane 150 effectively mitigates sound. As is commonly known, two of the factors that determine a material's insulation ability/performance are weight per unit of area (e.g., surface weight as measured in pounds per square foot) and stiffness. In terms of the latter factor, stiffer materials typically have relatively poor insulation performance with respect to lower frequencies of sound (since stiff materials tend to have natural resonant frequencies that are in the low frequency audible range, which easily allow the transmission of these frequencies) and tend to respond to bending waves in a way that negatively affects their insulation performance (e.g., via the coincidence effect, where the material is excited by impinging sound energy in the coincident frequency range). On the other hand, stiff materials tend to have better insulation performance with respect higher sound frequencies.
With the above concepts in mind, a highly efficient acoustic barrier is created by attaching the layer/membrane 150 to the panel 10 (or 10D). In some embodiments, the membrane 150 is attached at/towards the top of the frame 25 so that it hangs down and is unattached (and relatively free to move relative to the frame 25) in all other directions relative to the panel. In other embodiments, the membrane is completely attached to the panel (e.g., at both sides, the top and the bottom of the frame) in an essentially (or at least largely) air tight seal—meaning that little, or no, air can flow between the membrane and the portions of the panel to which it is attached (e.g., frame of the panel). In some embodiments where the membrane 150 is largely, substantially, or completely attached to the panel 10 or 10D, the membrane is not pulled tight; rather, unattached portions of the membrane remain somewhat/relatively free to move/flow. (In other embodiments, the membrane is pulled relatively tight.) Thus, in some of these embodiments the area (e.g., length and width) of the membrane is slightly larger than the area (e.g., length and width) of the panel (e.g., frame 25) to which it is attached.
In
With the above criteria in mind, the membrane 150 does several things. First, because of its limpness/flexibility, the membrane 150 significantly dampens low frequency sound, which is generally difficult to reduce, by transforming the acoustic energy into heat (and, as a result, also minimizes the coincident effect at the low frequency range, which further increases the insulation at these frequencies). Second, because of its relatively high surface weight, the membrane 150 increases (as reflected by the mass law) its insulation capabilities and thus also the overall insulation ability/transmission loss of the panel 10 and/or 10D (compared to embodiments of the panel that do not include the membrane 150). Third, since the membrane's 150 material has a non-uniform density, this means that it does not have a marked natural resonant frequency-which would otherwise allow coincident waves to easily pass from one side/face of the membrane to the other side/face—and thus further means that the membrane 150 is also capable of better dampening low medium and high frequency range sounds/energy. In other words, the membrane 150 functions as an additional acoustical barrier (i.e., ‘additional’ since the panel 10, without the membrane, functions as an acoustic barrier) that converts acoustical energy that reaches it (from at least one side of the panel 10, and both sides in some embodiments, like
In light of the above, a significant increase in insulation/sound mitigation is achieved. While this occurs across much of the audible spectrum generally, the membrane's 150 ability to mitigate low frequency sound waves is particularly notable since these tend to be more difficult to insulate/dampen in the context of a panel and/or partition. In some embodiments, the increase in low frequency insulation attributable to the acoustic barrier is in the 5 dB to 15 dB range; though, in others the effect is between 10 db and 15 db; and in others it is greater than 15 dB; and in yet other embodiments, where less ideal material(s) is used, it in the 1 dB-5 dB range. In any event, the ranges provided here, and anywhere else in this document with respect to any other measured factor and/or result, are not meant as limiting. More generally, while the membrane 150 does increase insulation of non-low frequencies in some, but not all embodiments, the increase in low frequency insulation is not only particularly significant but notable since one of the main weakness of many prior art movable panels/partitions, especially lightweight ones, is their poor insulation of low frequencies.
Accordingly, one or more aspects of the various panels/partitions described herein are particularly effective in common everyday modern commercial settings, such as those involving multimedia systems—which are being used evermore frequently in the hospitality, educational, recreational and corporate industries, for example. In other words, where many prior art panels/partitions tend to be more directed to cope with transmission loss in the human voice range, the various panel/partition embodiments disclosed herein not only mitigate voice frequencies but also effectively mitigate the (often powerful feeling to the human ear) low frequency waves (e.g., by the inner limp membrane 150), upper high frequency waves (e.g., by the drop seals 20L, 20U disclosed herein) and the mid-range frequency waves (e.g., by the perforated sections 80M, 80F disclosed herein) that generally go hand-in-hand with multimedia content. (As is commonly known, the frequency range of the human voice is generally in the 125 Hz to 8 KHz range; and multimedia sound covers from 20 Hz to 20 KHz, which is basically all the audible spectrum but the way the accompanying music is mixed, the low frequencies are often emphasized.) Moreover, one or more of the damping elements disclosed herein tend to mitigate affect most, if not all, sound frequencies. Further still, a number of the various gaskets disclosed help form an essentially airtight seal between partitioned panels, which in some embodiments also form a suction which, in effect, helps bond them together (e.g., as discussed below).
Before going further, it also should be noted again that the panel 10D shown in
In this light, some embodiments of the (non-perforated) partition 169D thus behave slightly differently than the partition 169 (which is often referred to herein as the ‘perforated’ partition, where the partition 169D is often referred to as the ‘non-perforated’ partition). That is, since air is not able to flow out of the passage 99D of the (non-perforated) partition 169D by perforations/holes of a perforated section (since the elements 163M, 163F do not include a perforated section) there will be some suction between the two panels 10E, 10F in the (non-perforated) partition 169D in some, but not all, (non-perforated) partition 169D embodiments. More specifically, the suction occurs in a suction region 350S that is at least partially defined by (1) the upper gasket 200U and (2) lower gasket 200L, which are not depicted in
The inherent nature of the above-mentioned suction tends to help keep the two panels together as a partition and, in many but not all embodiments, the suction would have to be released (by human or other force) in order to separate the two partitioned panels 10E, 10F. In other words, when the drop seals are extended, typically the partitioned panels 10E, 10F more-or-less stay in place; but, the suction keeps their adjacency (especially in the passage 99D area) close/tight, which serves to limit air from entering the passage. While other prior art systems use expensive and heavy magnets to keep panels together to achieve a similar objective, the lightweight and inexpensive nature of the suction system 350T (inherent in the suction area 350S described above) is thus advantageous.
In some embodiments, the fact that there are such adjacencies—as described above—does not necessarily mean that the distance between the male element 63M and male bracket 25M—e.g., as reflected by the thickness of the (sandwiched) inner portion 85I of the damping element 90M—is not capable being reduced, at least temporarily, when the two panels (e.g., panels 10A, 10B in
However, in other embodiments that include the partitions in
It should be noted that in embodiments where the inner damping element portion 85I is squeezed/compressed prior to the formation of the partition, it is nevertheless important in some but not all embodiments that the panels (such as panels 10A, 10B) interface so that force (resulting from the female end 63F of the second panel 10B) is applied to the outer damping element portion 85O—i.e., in order for it, in turn, to press against the male damping element 63M. More generally, in most but not all embodiments, some pressure-whether in advance of the formation of the partition, as a result of the formation of the partition, or both of these, where the latter is depicted in FIGS. 3B and 3C—will be applied to both the outer damping element portion 85O and the inner damping element portion 85I since applying sandwiched damping pressure (e.g., on the male element 63M) is much more effective (in damping vibration) than applying pressure from only one side, and even more effective that not applying pressure to either side (e.g., of the male damping element 63M). Again, as mentioned above, this is also true with respect to the female side 63F of the panel 10; further, to be clear, this is also true with respect to the male and female sides of the non-perforated panel 10D.
In other words, while the above discussion is not included herein with respect to
Also, the thickness of (each of the two parts of) the inner damping element portions 85I, 87I is 5-10 mm and the thickness of (each of the two parts of) the outer damping element portions 85O, 87O is 5-10 mm. However, in alternative embodiments the thickness of the inner damping element portions 85I, 87I and thickness of the outer damping element portions 85O, 87) could range from 0.1 mm to 50 mm or more. That said, none of these numbers are meant to be limiting; in essence, any thickness that is sufficient to damp vibration is possible in various alternative embodiments—as will be commonly understood by those skilled in the art. Also, the respective thicknesses of the inner damping element portions 85I, 87I and the thickness of the outer damping element portions 85O, 87O are relatively the same in some embodiments and different in other embodiments, which is similarly true with respect to the various parts that make up each of the damping element portions 85I, 87I, 85O, 87O. Moreover, in some embodiments, these have low friction surfaces, and in further embodiments they are made of lightweight material.
In addition,
Generally speaking and without intending to limit the scope of the inner gasket 116A or any gasket disclosed herein, rounded shapes (like the circular shape shown in
As will be discussed below, in some embodiments (as shown in
Since the upper gasket 200U is easily seen in
Moreover, in some but not all embodiments, when the upper and lower gaskets 200U, 200L of the embodiment shown in
With respect to the male end 60M of the first panel 10A, and as discussed above, the force applied in interfacing/partitioning the two panels results in the outer male damping element portion 85O applying force/pressure to one side of the male element 63M and the male inner damping element portion 85I apply force/pressure to the other side of the male element 63M, which perhaps can be best visualized in
More generally, it should also be underscored that the attenuated sound symbol 59B in this
The above discussion should also be considered in view of the fact that some embodiments of the panel 10 have metal frames, e.g., cold rolled sheet or aluminum as non-limiting examples, which are good transmitters of vibration (e.g., vibration related to sound). Accordingly, in some embodiments the damping elements 90M, 90F are made of neoprene, rubber, or any other material(s) or combination of materials with damping abilities/characteristics that would enable the damping elements 90M, 90F to serve as a vibration/energy sink. In some embodiments, each of the damping elements 90M, 90F is capable of decreasing (and does decrease) the amplitude of the vibration transmitted from a first side 63A, 63B of the element to a second side 63Y, 63Z of the element by potentially roughly 90%. That said, the amount of vibration dampening depends on the pressure of the applied and the material of the damping element, among other potential factors, by the damping elements against the panel's structural frame. Accordingly, the damping mitigation could range from 0.1% to 90% or more; though, these numbers are not intended to be limiting.
In light of the above, it is worth emphasizing that each of the damping elements 90M, 90F (or other damping elements mentioned related to
In addition to its vibration damping abilities, as mentioned above the outer male damping element 85O also functions as the outer gasket 85G; and, the outer female damping element 87O likewise functions as the outer gasket 87G; though in other embodiments they are at least partially separate or distinct components. In this light, the formation of the interface 199 implies that the male and female gaskets 85G, 87G are positioned adjacent to each other, which further implies that the flow of ambient air through the passage 99 is at least partially blocked (e.g., at both ends of the passage 99A, 99B). In other words, the male and female damping elements 85G, 87G cooperate and function as a single damping element 86G—which in some but not all embodiments, includes a first side 86X (which includes male gasket part 85X and female gasket part 87X) and a second side 86Y (which includes male gasket part 85Y and female gasket part 87Y)—to limit air from entering (and/or leaving) the passage 99 of the panels 10A, 10B. (As mentioned in other portions of this document, some alternative embodiments only include a male damping element 85G; likewise, in additional embodiments the male damping element includes one part, rather than two distinct parts 85X, 85Y.)
Additionally, when the two panels 10A, 10B form the partition 169, the inner gasket 116A is compressed. Accordingly, each of the pair of compressed tubes 116B, 116C that longitudinally extend along the passage 99—i.e., each of the tubes 116B, 116C extend from slightly above the top 5T of the panel's body 5 to slightly below the bottom 5B of the panel's body-serve as a further obstacle to the passage of air (or anything else, like other gasses or even liquids in some embodiments) from one side 99A of the passage 99 to the other 99B.
Similarly, the upper gasket 200U (which is not shown in
As mentioned above,
While the size, shape, and number of perforations 80P can vary, in some embodiments the perforations are roughly between 1 mm and 8 mm in width in some embodiments; though they can range from 0.5 mm to 12 mm and still be quite effective; though, smaller and greater widths are possible in additional embodiments, and the numbers provided are not meant to be limiting in any way. Additionally, if the percentage of the perforated sections 80M, 80F that is actually perforated (i.e., is a perforation 80P) reflects at least 30% of (the area of) the perforated section, a broad band absorption (with respect to the audible spectrum) is achievable by the absorptive material. Essentially, when there is roughly more than a 30% ‘hole to non-hole’ ratio, the area of the perforated section (e.g., 80M, 80F) is almost sound transparent, so the absorption, vis-à-vis the absorption material 115 behind the holes 80P, is a broad band one. But when the design calls for addressing a problematic frequency range, one can design the size of holes to take into account various factors like the size, shape, and number of holes 80P, the volume of insulation 115 that the air/sound will encounter after flowing through the holes/perforations, and/or the thickness of the perforated material, for example, in order to tune the specific frequency range of interest.
In other words, the size, shape, and/or number of the perforations can be designed to meet the expected wavelength of sound that is expected in the passage 99 and/or not being sufficiently mitigated by other aspects of the partition; and, those skilled in the art will know how to ‘tune’ the perforated section(s) to appropriately target various wavelengths. Accordingly, with reference to
In order to impede the flow of air (and thus sound traveling by air, and, generally speaking, when this document speaks of air it is generally meant to specifically imply sound traveling by air, and sometimes will be described as ‘air/sound’ or ‘sound/air’) between the body 5 of the panel 10 and the floor (or other surface) and between the body 5 of the panel 10 and the ceiling (or other surface)—and thereby impede the flow of sound from the first area 111A on one side of the panel 10 to the second area 111B on the other side of the panel—the panel 10 includes the upper and drop seal 200U and lower drop seal 200L. While
Moreover, the main difference between
The cross-sectional view of the drop seal 20L shown in
Comparing the prior art drop seal 410 with the lower drop seal 20L,
Additionally, in contrast to the uninterrupted upper surface 434 of the cavity 450P in
Beyond these differences, since the prior art drop seal in
More generally, but also in contrast to the prior art drop seal-panel interface 499, an interface 599 of the drop seal 20L with the body 5 (which includes the outer cavity 450O and inner cavity 450I) of the panel 10 has sort of a labyrinth-like configuration. The term ‘interface’ in this context is referring to the portions of the drop seal and panel body that are adjacent to one another (where in some cases they are touching and, if not, they are near to each other). The various sections of the labyrinth will be discussed below.
More specifically, the drop seal has a first drop seal member 555 and second drop seal member 557 that each respectively interface/engage—by moving at least partially in and/or moving at least partially out of/away from—with each with a first slot 566A and a second slot 566B of the panel 5. The first slot 566A is defined by an inner surface 573A of a first outer cavity member 576A (e.g., associated with the panel body 5, such as the first outer layer 130A as shown) and an outer surface 583A of a first inner cavity member 586A (e.g., associated with the panel body 5). In turn, the second slot 566B is defined by an inner surface 573B of a second outer cavity member 576B (e.g., associated with the panel body 5, such as the second outer layer 130B as shown) and an outer surface 583B of a second inner cavity member 586B. In other words, the outer cavity 450O is defined by the inner surface 573A of the first outer cavity member 576A and the inner surface 573B of the second outer member 576B; and, in the inner cavity 450I is defined by the inner surface 583I of the first inner cavity member 586A and the inner surface 583J of the second inner cavity member 586B.
In some embodiments, the engaging/interfacing of the two drop seal members 555, 557 with respect to the two slots 566A, 566B is a ‘slideable’ engaging/engagement. By ‘slideable’ it is meant that one or more the surfaces associated with the two drop seal members 555, 557 slide along—which is meant to imply at least some touching-one or more of the counterpart surfaces associated with the two slots 566A, 566B. In other embodiments, a plurality of the counterpart surfaces associated with the two drop seal members 555, 557 slide along a plurality of the surfaces associated with the two slots 566A, 566B. In still further embodiments, all of the surfaces associated with the two drop seal members 555, 557 slide along a plurality of the counterpart surfaces associated with the two slots 566A, 566B. (In other embodiments, the interfacing/engaging occurs without any touching.)
Accordingly, in some embodiments this means that an outer surface 555O of the first drop seal member 555 touches (at least a portion of) the inner surface 573A of the first outer cavity member 576A as the drop seal 20L moves from the retracted position ##(shown in
Another way of looking at the relationship of the slots 566A, 566B and drop seal 20L is that in some embodiments at least one of the two slots 566A or 556B (at least partially) restricts the movement of the drop seal 20L; and, in other embodiments each of the two slots 556A and 556B restricts the movement of the drop seal 20L. In some embodiments, the restriction (of either one or both) limits the movement of the drop seal 20L towards the first side/face 110A of the panel 10; in other embodiments, the panel's movement towards the second side/face 110B of the panel 10 is restricted; and, in additional embodiments the drop seal's 20L movement is restricted in both directions. In some of these various embodiments and/or other embodiments, the first inner cavity member 586A restricts the drop seal from moving towards the second side/face 110B of the panel 10; in others the second inner cavity member 586B restricts the drop seal 20L from moving towards the first side/face 110A of the panel 10; and, in yet others the first inner member 586A is restricting the drop seal from moving towards the second side/face 110B of the panel 10 and the second inner member 586B is restricting the drop seal 20L from moving towards the first side/face 110A of the panel 10. Likewise, in some embodiments, the first inner cavity member 586A can be viewed as guiding the drop seal as it moves from retracted to extended positions and/or vice versa; in additional embodiments, the second inner cavity member 586B can be viewed as guiding the drop seal as it moves from retracted to extended positions and/or vice versa; and in yet further embodiments, each the first inner cavity member 586A and the second inner cavity member 586B can be viewed as guiding the drop seal as it moves from retracted to extended positions and/or vice versa.
In light of the design/configuration described above, in order to travel from the first side 111A of the panel 10 to the second side 111B of the panel 10 by passing between the drop seal 20L and the panel body 5, a sound wave 599O (that travels through air) must make it from a beginning 579B of a labyrinth 579 of channels to an end 579E of the labyrinth 579. In other words, the sound 599O must travel through (a) a first channel 569A between the outer surface 555O of the first drop seal member 555 and the inner surface 573A of the first outer slot member 576A, (b) a second channel 599B between the inner surface 555I of the first drop seal member 555 and the outer surface 583A of the first inner slot member 586A, (c) an area/region 544R containing the sound insulation 544I (that in some embodiment is between the drop seal 20L and the inner cavity 450I, though in embodiments without the inner cavity 450I the insulated area 544 is between the drop seal 20L and the outer cavity 450O; and, in other embodiments that do not include insulation 544I the area 544 does not have insulation), (d) through a third channel 599C between the inner surface 557I of the second drop seal member 557 and the outer surface 583B of the second inner slot member 586B, and (e) through a fourth channel 569D between the outer surface 557O of the second drop seal member 557 and the inner surface 573B of the second outer slot member 576B—or vice versa if the air/sound is flowing in the other direction—in order for any residual sound 599R to make it to the other side (with respect to the side from which the air/sound originated). For self-evident reasons, it is generally best for the tolerances between the various adjacent surfaces each that make up the labyrinth to be minimized since smaller tolerances permit less air to move through the channels and/or slow air speed.
Beyond the number of channels described above, it is clear that their alignment relative to each other also plays a role mitigating the flow of air/sound. In contrast to the prior art drop seal-panel interface shown in
Accordingly, another way of looking at the path air/sound must take in
In other words, when the drop seal is moved from its retracted position to its extended position, the first drop seal member 555 is moved partially out of the first slot 566A and the first dead end region 551A—which is defined by the surface the first dead end surface 552A, a portion of the inner surface 573A of the first outer slot member 576A, and a portion of the outer surface 555O of the first inner member 555—grows until the drop seal 20L is in its extended position. (Likewise, the same is true with respect to the second dead end region 551B, and its defining surfaces will be apparent from
In yet other words, the labyrinth resembles an upside-down somewhat ‘U’-shaped concavity—which is partially embodied by the two inner slot members 586A, 586B, outside of which there is a somewhat ‘U’-shaped drop seal 20L. In the embodiment shown in
In fact, some embodiments of the invention do not include any inner drop seal members 568A, 586B. In such embodiments, the drop seal's 20L movement is merely restricted and/or guided by the walls 573A, 573B of the cavity 450O. In other words, in such embodiments, there are no slots 566A, 566B and the members 555, 557 of the drop seal move relative to the walls 573A, 573B of the cavity 450O. In any event, in most embodiments the distance between the upper surface (e.g., 552A, 552B) of the cavity 450O and the inner bottom surface 521 of the drop seal 20L increases when the drop seal is extended from its retracted position into its extended position, and likewise reduced when the drop seal 20L is retracted from its extended position into its retracted position.
In some embodiments, the sound absorption material 544I in the insulation region 544R that is partially defined by the drop seal 20L is compressible, expandable, and/or resilient. For example, in such embodiments, when the drop seal 20L is deactivated/retracted such that the drop seal is (at least largely) positioned inside the panel, the material 544I in the insulation region 544R compresses so that the drop seal can be easily positioned in its retracted position. Likewise, after (or as) the drop seal is activated/extended, the material 544I at least partially expands, at least in some embodiments. Moreover, in some but not all embodiments the insulation 544I in the drop seal 20L is the same type of insulation 115 in the panel body 5.
It may be helpful to highlight the performance achievable by various embodiments disclosed herein. Before doing so, it is worth examining a typical panel-drop seal gap found in prior art, like the one shown in
In comparison to such examples of prior art drop seals, some embodiments of the invention are thus much more effective in minimizing transmission losses/sound leakage. For example, when the prior panel of
It is commonly understood that the impact of sound leaks on transmission loss (TL) is related to overall TL of the partition (or panel). That said, a non-limiting example is included now simply to illustrate how much of an impact the above-mentioned difference can make in certain scenarios. Specifically, if both the prior art partition and the partition 169 (or 169D) respectively had an ‘ideal’ TL (i.e., assuming zero leaks) of 60 dB, the 0.002% sound leak resulting from the various gaps inherent in the prior art drop seal's design (i.e., collectively in each of the two panels in the prior art partition) would reduce its TL to roughly 48 dB. In contrast, the elimination or near elimination of sound leaks of the partition 169D, which reflects the better design of the drop seals 20L, 20U disclosed herein, would render a TL of 57 dB (based on almost zero or very minor leaks) which would make the partition 169 (or 169D) roughly 9 dB more effective. When one considers that a TL increase of 10 dB is equivalent to reducing the volume of perceived sound by 50%, the design of the panels/partitions disclosed herein has significant practical impact.
Moreover, whatever TL improvement art is achievable over prior art drop seals depicted in
Finally, the above embodiments are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, variations may be apparent to those appropriately skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention/inventions described and/or claimed herein. For instance, an alternative panel system, panel, and/or partition embodiments do not connect (directly or indirectly) to the ceiling. For example, some embodiments of the panel connect to the floor, while others are movable by wheels. In yet other embodiments, the panel(s) and/or partition are not readily movable; for instance, the panel 10 (or 10D) may be incorporated into a wall that is not designed to be moved. In some such wall embodiments, the panel does not include the upper or lower drop seals 20U, 20L but does include at least one of the various gaskets (i.e., any number of the gaskets disclosed herein), the perforated section, and/or the membrane.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave, wherein the system includes at least two panels that are each hangable between a first surface and a second surface, including:
- (i) a first panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a first panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the first panel that includes a first panel member; (2) a second end of the first panel; and, (3) a first panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the first panel; and, (b) a first panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion; and,
- (ii) a second panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a second panel body portion; (1) a first end of the second panel; (2) a second end of the second panel that includes a second panel member; and, (3) a second panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the second panel; and, (b) a second panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion; and,
- (iii) a first gasket that includes a first portion, wherein the first gasket is connected to one of the two lower drop seals of the two panels; and,
- wherein when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel:
- (iv) the first portion of the first gasket is positioned in a lower passage, wherein the lower passage is between the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal; and,
- (v) the first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the lower passage.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: there is a passage between the first member of the first panel and second member of the second panel.
4. The system of claim 3, further including:
- (i) a second gasket that includes a first portion, wherein the second gasket is connected to one of the two upper drop seals of the two panels; and, wherein:
- (ii) the first panel further includes a first panel upper drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion;
- (iii) the second panel further includes a second panel upper drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion; and, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel upper drop seal is in an extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel upper drop seal is in an extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel:
- (iv) the second gasket is positioned such that a first portion of the second gasket is in an upper passage, wherein the upper passage is between the first panel upper drop seal and the second panel upper drop seal; and,
- (v) the first portion of the second gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the upper passage.
5. The system of claim 4, further including: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the two lower drop seals are in their respective extended positions, and (c) the two upper drop seals are in their respective extended positions:
- (i) a second portion of the first gasket is positioned in the passage and,
- (ii) a second portion of the second gasket is positioned in the passage.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the two lower drop seals are in their respective extended positions, and (c) the two upper drop seals are in their respective extended positions:
- (i) a third gasket, which is connected to one of the body portions of the two panels, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;
- (ii) a fourth gasket, which is connected to one of the body portions the two panels, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage; and,
- (iii) the second portion of the first gasket is positioned between the third and fourth gaskets when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel; and,
- (iv) the second portion of the second gasket is positioned between the third and fourth gaskets when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel; and,
- (v) a substantially airtight seal is at least partially defined by the second portion of the first gasket, the second portion of the second gasket, the third gasket, the fourth gasket, the first member of the first panel, and the second member of the second panel.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the two lower drop seals are in their respective extended positions, and (c) the two upper drop seals are in their respective extended positions: a suction area is at least partially defined by the second portion of the first gasket, the second portion of the second gasket, the third gasket, the fourth gasket, the first member of the first panel, and the second member of the second panel.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the two lower drop seals are in their respective extended positions, and (c) the two upper drop seals are in their respective extended positions:
- (i) the second portion of the first gasket touches both the first and second members;
- (ii) the second portion of the second gasket touches both the first and second members;
- (iii) the first portion of the first gasket touches both the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal;
- (iv) the first portion of the second gasket touches both the first panel upper drop seal and the second panel upper drop seal;
- (v) the third gasket touches both the first and second members; and,
- (vi) the fourth gasket touches both the first and second members.
9. The system of claim 3, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in a retracted position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) and the second panel lower drop seal is in a retracted position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the first portion of the first gasket is positioned in the passage.
10. The system of claim 3, wherein: the body portion of the panel that is associated with the lower drop seal to which the first gasket is connected includes a first gasket window through which a second portion of the first gasket extends when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel.
11. The system of claim 11, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel. (b) the first lower drop seal is in the retracted position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second lower drop seal is in the retracted position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the first portion of the first gasket extends through the first gasket window.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first lower drop seal is in the retracted position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second lower drop seal is in the retracted position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the first portion of a first gasket is positioned in the passage and not in the lower passage.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first lower drop seal is in the retracted position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second lower drop seal is in the retracted position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the first portion of the first gasket extends through the first gasket window.
14. The system of claim 3 further including: a first gasket window associated with the body portion of the panel that is associated with the lower drop seal to which the first gasket is connected, wherein:
- (i) when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the first portion of the first gasket is below the first gasket window; and,
- (ii) when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in a retracted position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in a retracted position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the first portion of the first gasket is inside the first gasket window.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel:
- (i) the first portion of the first gasket touches both the first panel member and second panel member when the first lower drop seal is in the retracted position relative to the body portion of the first panel and the second lower drop seal is in the retracted position relative to the body portion of the second panel; and,
- (ii) the first portion of the first gasket touches both the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal when the first lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel and the second lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel.
16. The system of claim 4, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel:
- (i) the panel that is associated with the lower drop seal to which the first gasket is connected includes a first gasket window;
- (ii) the panel that is associated with the upper drop seal to which the second gasket is connected includes a second gasket window;
- (iii) the first portion of the first gasket extends through the first gasket window when both the first lower drop seal is in a retracted position relative to the body portion of the first panel and the second lower drop seal is in a retracted position relative to the body portion of the second panel;
- (iv) the first portion of the second gasket extends through the second gasket window when both the first upper drop seal is in a retracted relative to the body portion of the first panel position and the second upper drop seal is in a retracted position relative to the body portion of the second panel;
- (v) a second portion of the first gasket extends through the first gasket window when both the first lower drop seal is in the retracted position and the second lower drop seal is in the retracted position;
- (vi) a second portion of the second gasket extends through a second gasket window when both the first upper drop seal is in the retracted position and the second upper drop seal is in the retracted position;
- (vii) the second portion of the first gasket remains extended through the first gasket window when both the first lower drop seal is moved from the retracted position to the extended position and the second lower drop seal is moved from the retracted position to the extended position; and,
- (viii) the second portion of the second gasket remains extended through the second gasket window when both the first upper drop seal is moved from the retracted position to the extended position and the second upper drop seal is moved from the retracted position to the extended position.
17. The system of claim 4, further including: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel:
- (i) a third gasket, which is connected to one of the body portions of the two panels, and is positioned in the passage, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;
- (ii) a fourth gasket, which is connected to one of the body portions of the two panels and is positioned in the passage, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;
- (iii) a fifth gasket, which is connected to the third gasket by a first connecting member, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;
- (iv) the fifth gasket is also a first portion of a first damping element that is able to damp vibration associated with the sound wave in one of the two members;
- (v) a sixth gasket, which is connected to the fourth gasket by a second connecting member, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage; and,
- (vi) the sixth gasket is also a first portion of a second the damping element that is able to damp vibration associated with the sound wave in the one of the two members.
18. The system of claim 3, wherein:
- (i) a first fastener fastens the first member to a section of the body portion of the first panel; and,
- (ii) the first fastener causes a portion of a damping element, which is sandwiched between the fastened first member and the section of the body portion of the first panel to which it is fastened, to apply pressure to the first member.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel:
- (i) another portion of the damping element applies pressure to the first member;
- (ii) the first member is sandwiched between the two portions of the damping element; and,
- (iii) the pressure applied by the two portions of the damping element damp a vibration in the first member, wherein the vibration in the first member is associated with the flow of the sound wave.
20. The system of claim 19, further including: a second fastener that causes another damping element to apply sandwiched pressure to the section of the first panel, wherein the sandwiched pressure damps a vibration in the section of the first panel, and wherein the vibration in the first member is associated with the flow of the sound wave.
21. The system of claim 17, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel:
- (i) the first connecting member is also a seventh gasket that impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage; and,
- (ii) the second connecting member is also an eighth gasket that impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage.
22. The system of claim 3, wherein:
- (i) one of the members of the two panels includes a perforated section that includes one or more perforations; and,
- (ii) when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: the perforated section impedes a portion of the flow of the sound wave via the passage.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: the perforated section is between a sound insulation area associated with the one of the two panels, wherein the sound insulation area contains a sound-absorbing material, and the passage such that the portion of the sound wave impeded by the perforated section is at least partially absorbed in the insulation area.
24. The system of claim 3, further including: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel:
- (i) a third gasket, which is positioned in the passage and thereby impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage, wherein the third gasket is a first hollow and flexible tube that is compressed as a result of the touching of the first end of the first panel and the second end of the second panel; and,
- (ii) a fourth gasket, which is positioned in the passage and thereby impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage, wherein a first internal surface of the fourth gasket touches a second internal surface of the fourth gasket as a result of the touching of the first end of the first panel and the second end of the second panel and a suction is formed between the two touching internal surfaces.
25. The system of claim 2, wherein:
- (i) the first portion of the first gasket is compressed when at least one of: (a) the first panel lower drop seal moves from the extended position to a retracted position relative to the body portion of the first panel and (b) the second panel lower drop seal moves from the extended position to a retracted position relative to the body portion of the second panel; and,
- (ii) the first portion of first gasket is positioned in a passage between the first member of the first panel and second member of the second panel when it is compressed.
26. The system of claim 2, further including:
- a wall interface that is attached to a wall, wherein the wall interface includes a wall interface gasket portion and body portion; and,
- wherein when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel and (b) the lower drop seal of the second panel is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel, the first end of the second panel is able to be interfaced with the wall interface such that the wall interface gasket portion is positioned between the second panel lower drop seal and the wall interface body portion such that the flow of the sound wave is impeded by the wall interface gasket portion.
27. The system of claim 17, wherein: (a) when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces but (b) prior to the two panels being positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel:
- (i) the third and fourth gaskets do not touch either of the two panels; and,
- (ii) the two connecting members are in a first position; and,
- wherein after the two panels have been positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel:
- (i) the third and fourth gaskets touch both of the panels, and,
- (ii) the two connecting members are in a second position.
28. The system of claim 2, further including: an insulation region, which contains a sound insulation, located between the lower drop seal of the first panel and the body portion of the first panel.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein:
- (i) the insulation region is within the drop seal of the first panel; and,
- (ii) the drop seal of the first panel is not closed with respect to the body portion of the first panel.
30. The system of claim 23, wherein:
- (i) the sound insulation area associated with the one of the two panels includes a first layer of sound insulation and a second layer of sound insulation; and,
- (ii) a membrane is positioned between the first sound insulation layer and the second sound insulation layer, wherein the membrane is one of: a mass loaded material, a non-mass loaded material, a polyurethane, and a bituminous reinforced material.
31. An acoustic panel that is hangable from and movable relative to a panel-ceiling interface, including:
- (i) a body portion;
- (ii) a connector that is able to be interfaced with the panel-ceiling interface;
- (iii) an outer cavity associated with the body portion;
- (iv) a drop seal that is retractable and extendable within the outer cavity;
- (v) an area between the drop seal and the outer cavity, wherein the area is increased when the drop seal moves from a retracted position to an extended position, and the area is reduced when the drop seal moves from the retracted position to the extended position; and
- (vi) a sound insulation that at least partially resides in the area.
32. The acoustic panel of claim 31, wherein:
- (i) the sound insulation at least partially resides inside the drop seal; and,
- (ii) the drop seal is open with respect to the outer cavity.
33. The acoustic panel of claim 32, further including an inner cavity associated with the body portion, wherein:
- (i) the inner cavity is within the outer cavity;
- (ii) the drop seal is extendable and retractable outside at least part of the inner cavity;
- (iii) an area between the drop seal and the inner cavity is increased when the drop seal moves from a retracted position to an extended position, and the area between the drop seal and the inner cavity is reduced when the drop seal moves from the retracted position to the extended position; and,
- (iv) the insulation at least partially resides inside the inner cavity.
34. The acoustic panel of claim 33, wherein the insulation resides at least partially between a first inner cavity member, a second inner cavity member, and an inner bottom surface of the drop seal.
35. The acoustic panel of claim 31, further including:
- (i) a first slot in which a first drop seal member of the drop seal is extendable and retractable;
- (ii) a second slot in which a second drop seal member of the drop seal is extendable and retractable; and, wherein: (a) the first drop seal member is not extendable and retractable in the second slot; and, (b) the second drop seal member is not extendable and retractable in the first slot.
36. The acoustic panel of claim 35, wherein one of the two slots at least one of:
- (i) restricts the movement of the first drop seal member as the drop seal moves from the retracted position to the extended position; and
- (ii) restricts the movement the second drop seal member as the drop seal moves from the retracted position to the extended position.
37. The acoustic panel of claim 35, wherein:
- (i) the first slot is defined by an inner surface of a first outer cavity member and an outer surface of a first inner cavity member;
- (ii) the second slot is defined by an inner surface of a second outer cavity member and an outer surface of a second inner cavity member;
- (iii) the outer cavity is at least partially defined by the inner surface of the first outer cavity member and the inner surface of the second outer cavity member; and,
- (iv) the inner cavity is at least partially defined by an inner surface of the first inner cavity member and an inner surface of the second inner cavity member.
38. The acoustic panel of claim 37, wherein the two slots:
- (i) at least partially restrict the movement of the first drop seal member as the drop seal moves from the extended position to the retracted position such that one of the following occurs: (a) the first drop seal member touches the outer surface of the first inner cavity member and (b) the first drop seal member touches the inner surface of the first outer cavity member; and,
- (ii) at least partially restrict the movement the second drop seal member as the drop seal moves from the extended position to the retracted position such that one of the following occurs: (a) the second drop seal member touches the outer surface of the second inner cavity member and (b) the second drop seal member touches the inner surface of the second outer cavity member.
39. The acoustic panel of claim 31, wherein: the insulation is compressed when the drop seal moves from the extended position to the retracted position.
40. The acoustic panel of claim 31, wherein: the insulation expands when the drop seal moves from the retracted position to the extended position.
41. An acoustic panel that is able to absorb a portion of sound wave, where the sound wave is flowing between a drop seal of the acoustic panel and a body portion of the acoustic panel such that a mitigated sound wave results, including:
- (i) a body portion;
- (ii) a drop seal that is movable with respect to the body portion of the acoustic panel;
- (iii) a plurality of channels between the body portion and the drop seal, wherein the sound wave flows through each of the plurality of channels;
- (iv) an entrance to the plurality of channels through which the sound wave enters the plurality of channels;
- (v) an area containing a sound insulation, wherein: (a) the area is between two of the plurality of channels, and; (b) the portion of the sound wave is absorbed in the area; and,
- (vi) an exit to the plurality of channels through which the mitigated sound wave exits the plurality of channels, wherein the mitigated sound wave is the sound wave without the portion of the sound wave absorbed in the area.
42. The acoustic panel of claim 41, wherein:
- (i) the plurality of channels include a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel;
- (ii) the sound wave flows in a first direction in the first channel;
- (iii) the sound wave flows in a second direction in the second channel;
- (iv) the sound wave flows in a third direction from an exit of the second channel to an entrance of the third channel;
- (v) the sound wave changes flows in a fourth direction in the third channel;
- (vi) the sound wave flows in a fifth direction in the fourth channel; and,
- (vii) the area containing the sound insulation is between the exit of the second channel and the entrance of the third channel.
43. The acoustic panel of claim 42, wherein each of the four channels is defined partly by the body of the panel and partly by the drop seal.
44. The acoustic panel of claim 42, further including:
- (i) a first dead end region between the first and second channels, wherein the first dead end region helps alter the flow of the sound wave so that it flows in the second direction instead of the first direction; and,
- (ii) a second dead end region between the third and fourth channels, wherein the second dead end region helps alter the flow of the sound wave so that it flows in the fifth direction instead of the fourth direction.
45. The acoustic panel of claim 44, wherein:
- (i) the size of (a) the first dead end region is proportional to the size of (b) the first and second channels, such that an increase in the former causes a decrease in the latter, and vice versa;
- (ii) the size of (a) the second dead end region is proportional to the (b) size of the third and fourth channels, such that an increase in the former causes a decrease in the latter, and vice versa;
- (iii) the first and second dead end regions each increase in size when the drop seal moves from a retracted position to an extended position; and,
- (iv) the first and second dead end regions each decrease in size when the drop seal moves from the extended position to the retracted position.
46. The acoustic panel of claim 45, wherein:
- (i) the first dead end region is defined by a portion of an inner surface of a first outer slot member and a portion of an outer surface of a first inner slot member, wherein each of the two portion are associated with the body of the panel; and,
- (ii) the second dead end region is defined by a portion of an inner surface of a second outer slot member, and a portion of an outer surface of a second inner slot member, wherein each of the two portions are associated with the body of the panel.
47. An acoustic panel that reduces a first decibel amount associated a sound wave such that a second decibel amount associated with the sound wave results, including:
- (i) a body portion;
- (ii) a drop seal including (a) a first drop seal member and (b) a second drop seal member;
- (iii) a first slot associated with a body portion within which the first drop seal member is (a) positioned and (b) extendable and retractable so that the drop is able to respectively adopt an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body portion;
- (iv) a second slot associated with a body portion within which the second drop seal member is (a) positioned and (b) extendable and retractable so that the drop is able to respectively adopt the extended position and the retracted position relative to the body portion;
- (v) an insulation region, within which a sound absorption material resides, wherein the insulation region is between the first and second drop seal members; and, wherein: (a) the sound wave must encounter the sound absorption material of the insulation region in order to flow between the body portion and the drop seal; and, (b) as a result of the sound wave encountering the sound absorption material of the insulation region as it flows between the body portion and the drop seal, the first decibel amount of the sound wave is reduced to the second decibel amount.
48. The acoustic panel of claim 47, wherein the sound wave must encounter the sound absorption material of the insulation region in order to flow between the body portion and the drop seal when the drop seal is in the extended position.
49. The acoustic panel of claim 48, further including:
- (i) an inner cavity; and,
- (ii) an outer cavity; and,
- wherein:
- (i) the first slot is defined by an inner surface of a first outer cavity member of the outer cavity and an outer surface of a first inner cavity member of the inner cavity; and,
- (ii) the second slot is defined by an inner surface of a second outer cavity member of the outer cavity and an outer surface of a second inner cavity member of the inner cavity.
50. The acoustic panel of claim 49, wherein: the sound absorption material within the insulation region is between:
- (i) the first inner cavity member; and,
- (ii) the second inner cavity member.
51. The acoustic panel of claim 48, wherein: the sound absorption material of the insulation region resides between the drop seal and the body portion.
52. An acoustic panel system that is positioned between a first surface and a second surface and mitigates a flow of a low frequency sound from a first area towards a second area resulting in a mitigated low frequency sound in the second area, including:
- (i) a frame;
- (ii) a panel-ceiling interface that is associated with the first surface;
- (iii) a connector that is connected to the frame and interfaced with the panel-ceiling interface, wherein the interfacing of the connector with the panel-ceiling interface enables the panel to hang from the first surface and move relative to the first surface via the panel-ceiling interface;
- (iv) a first outer layer connected to the frame;
- (v) a second outer layer connected to the frame;
- (vi) a first sound insulation layer positioned between the two outer layers;
- (vii) a second sound insulation layer positioned between the two outer layers; and,
- (viii) a membrane layer that is positioned between the first sound insulation layer and a second sound insulation layer.
53. The acoustic panel of claim 52, wherein the membrane layer:
- (i) is at least partially made of a material that is flexible;
- (ii) has a surface weight between 6 kg/m2 to 9 kg/m2; and,
- (iii) has an overall non-uniform density.
54. The acoustic panel of claim 53, wherein the membrane is at least partially one of: a mass-loaded vinyl, a non-mass loaded vinyl, a polyurethane, and a bituminous reinforced material.
55. The acoustic panel of claim 54, wherein:
- (i) the membrane mitigates the flow of the low frequency sound from the first area towards the second area such that the mitigated sound in the second area is 5 db to 15 db less than the low frequency sound from the first area; and,
- (ii) the 5 db to 15 db of low frequency sound mitigation at least mostly occurs by the membrane transforming the low frequency sound from the first area into heat.
56. The acoustic panel of claim 55, wherein:
- (i) a first portion of the membrane layer is attached to the frame via a fastener; and,
- (ii) a second portion of the membrane layer is not attached to the frame such that the second portion of the membrane layer is free to move away from the frame in response to the flow of the low frequency sound from the first area towards the second area, except that the freedom of movement of the second portion of the membrane is limited by the fastener and the first and second layers of sound insulation material.
57. The acoustic panel of claim 56, wherein:
- (i) the fastener also secures at least one damping element to the frame;
- (ii) the damping element is adjacent to the first portion of the membrane; and,
- (iii) the membrane hangs down from the fastener towards the second surface.
58. The system of claim 3, wherein:
- (i) the first portion of the first gasket is hollow; and,
- (ii) a second portion of the first gasket is hollow.
59. The system of 58, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the hollow first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of sound wave via the passage by enabling a portion of the sound wave to flow out of the passage through the hollow first portion of the first gasket.
60. The system of claim 59, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the portion of the sound wave is forced out of the passage and through the hollow first portion of the first gasket.
61. The system of claim 60, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: at least one of the two portions of the first gasket is compressed, wherein after the compression the one of the two portions has a second shape, and wherein the second shape is different from a first shape the one of the two portions had prior to the compression.
62. The system of claim 61, wherein: the second shape of the one of the two portions substantially prevents the forced out portion of the sound wave from reentering the passage, and wherein the first shape of the one of the two portions does not substantially prevent the forced out sound wave from reentering the passage.
63. The system of claim 62, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the second shape of the one of the two portions is a result of a first inner surface associated with the one of the two portions being forced closer to a second inner surface associated with the one of the two portions.
64. The system of claim 63, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the second portion of the first gasket is positioned in the passage.
65. The system of claim 63, wherein: the one of the two portions is the second portion.
66. The system of claim 58, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the second portion of the first gasket is positioned in the passage.
67. The system of claim 2, wherein: the first gasket includes a hollow portion, wherein the hollow portion is associated with the first portion of the first gasket.
68. The system of claim 67, the hollow portion enables a portion of the sound wave to pass through at least a portion of the lower passage and towards the second surface by flowing through the hollow portion.
69. The system of claim 68, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel:
- (i) a second portion of the first gasket becomes at least partially compressed;
- (ii) the portion of the sound wave is forced to pass through the portion of the lower passage by flowing through the hollow portion of the first gasket; and,
- (iii) the at least partial compression of the second portion of the first gasket mitigates the ability of the passed through sound wave to pass through the second portion of the first gasket, as compared to the ability the passed through sound wave would otherwise have if the second portion of the first gasket were not compressed.
70. The system of claim 3, wherein: the first gasket includes a hollow portion.
71. The system of claim 70, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: impedes the flow of sound wave via the passage by enabling a portion of the sound wave to exit the passage through the hollow portion.
72. The system of claim 71, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the portion of the sound wave is forced to exit the passage through the hollow portion of the first gasket.
73. The system of claim 72, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the portion of the sound wave is forced to exit the lower passage through the hollow portion of the first gasket.
74. The system of claim 72, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the first panel, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the body portion of the second panel: the hollow portion of the first gasket becomes at least partially compressed.
75. The system of claim 74, wherein: the at least partially compressed hollow portion of the first gasket substantially prevents the exited sound wave portion from reentering the passage.
76. The acoustic panel of claim 51, wherein:
- (i) the drop seal has at least one of: (a) a concave shape with respect the portion of the body portion of the panel and (b) a ‘U’ shape with respect to the portion of the body portion; and,
- (ii) the portion of the body portion has at least one of: (a) a concave shape with respect to the drop seal and (b) a ‘U’ shape with respect to the drop seal.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 21, 2012
Publication Date: Dec 3, 2015
Patent Grant number: 9309669
Inventor: Gonzalo Duran Ariza (Rockville, MD)
Application Number: 13/684,151