Sound Absorbing Panels Patents (Class 181/284)
  • Publication number: 20080053749
    Abstract: A noise suppressor for an apparatus having a cooling fan and cooling duct includes a muffler including a reflection plate for reflecting sound from the cooling fan, the reflection plate being provided at a position in the cooling duct confronting the intake plane of the cooling fan and formed substantially parallel to the intake plane. A sound-absorbing part of the muffler is provided on the reflection plate, and a distance d between the reflection plate and the intake plane is set such that d<c/(2×f) where f is the sound-absorption frequency of the muffler and c is the speed of sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventor: Motoyasu Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 7329456
    Abstract: A method of forming a box-like acoustical substrate is provided. Portions of an acoustical substrate having a decorative surface are compressed to form a flange, a first compressed region, a second compressed region, and a third compressed region. First, second, central, and third uncompressed regions are positioned respectively adjacent to the compressed regions. A left first surface and a right first surface of the acoustical substrate may be folded toward the back surface of the substrate until the second compressed region and the third compressed regions are flush with the central uncompressed region. An outer portion of the left surface may then be folded towards the back surface until the flange is flush with the right edge. The acoustical product may be used as an acoustical trap or duct. When the acoustical product is utilized as a duct, an air impermeable sheet may be positioned on the external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Tilton, Clarke Berdan, II, Jerry M. Parks
  • Patent number: 7325656
    Abstract: An elevator installation includes an elevator car that moves in an elevator shaft with shaft doors and which car has at least one car apron arranged parallel to a plane of a shaft wall at a shaft door side. A device for reducing noises generated by the air flow arising between the shaft wall and the car apron includes sound-absorbing material that is mounted at the car apron and at the shaft wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Alex Oberer, Yvan Kurzo, Philipp Leister
  • Publication number: 20080023266
    Abstract: The present invention is an acoustic cabinet for the storage of musical instruments. Acoustic cabinet can have a storage portion having a plurality of individual storage units contained therein. One or more grill doors can cover the open end of acoustic cabinet. The size, shape, and arrangement of grill bars of door can be configured to reduce the effect of resonance. Rear panel of acoustic cabinet can include one or more sound-absorbing panels that absorb sound as it passes through acoustic cabinet. A protective backing can also be disposed between sound-absorbing panels and individual storage spaces to protect the panels from damage when instruments and other objects are inserted into the storage spaces. A combination of a grill door and sound-absorbing panels can allow acoustic cabinet to have a net-absorptive effect on a rehearsal room. One or more acoustic cabinets can be strategically positioned throughout a rehearsal room for optimal acoustic performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Jacobson, Peter F. Menzel, Rebecca S. Broton, Mark R. Friedrichs, Ronald R. Freiheit
  • Patent number: 7322441
    Abstract: An extended bandwidth folded well diffusor extends the diffusion bandwidth of a shallow, asymmetric diffusor by incorporating maximum-depth, folded L-shaped, half-width wells on both ends (sides) of a diffusor, thus providing increased maximum well depth without increasing the physical depth of the diffusor. When the inventive diffusor is placed in an array, the folded L-shaped, maximum-depth, half-width end wells form a novel T-shape, which offers a favorable impedance lowering the resonant frequency, thus extending the diffusor diffusion bandwidth. T-shaped recesses may also be located within a single diffusor. The front surface of the diffusor may be flat or curved or angled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: RPG Diffusor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D'Antonio, Trevor J. Cox
  • Patent number: 7322440
    Abstract: An ultra light, noise reducing composite (1) comprises an acoustically transparent, light weight film (6) between an underlay layer (5) and an air flow resistance layer (4). This composite allows to easily tune the acoustic properties by balancing the absorption and sound transmission behaviour of the composite (1). This air flow resistance layer (4) has an air flow resistance of between 500 Ns/m3 and 10,000 Ns/m3 and an area mass between 200 g/m2 and 3,000 g/m2. The underlay layer (5) has a stiffness value in the range between 100 Pa and 100,000 Pa. The light weight film (6) may consist of a synthetic foil and preferably has a thickness of 0.01 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rieter Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hameed S. Khan, James H. Fisher, Steven D. Tessendorf, Peter Ehrler
  • Patent number: 7318499
    Abstract: An integrated noise suppression acoustic panel includes a back plate, a face plate, and a bulk foam absorber disposed between the back plate and the face plate. The bulk foam absorber is formed of a thermoset material, such as bismaleimide or phenolic, and is manufactured using a low pressure process. In particular, a foamable material is melted, and a blowing agent is mixed with the foamable material to obtain a mixture. The foam is formed and the mixture is cured by heating it to a temperature, and maintaining the mixture at the temperature for a time sufficient to cure the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Stevenson, Jeff M. Mendoza
  • Patent number: 7318498
    Abstract: A multi-layered fiber reinforced thermoplastic sound absorbing panel includes a porous fiber reinforced thermoplastic core layer having a first surface and a second surface, and includes a thermoplastic material and from about 20 weight percent to about 80 weight percent fibers, a tie layer covering the second surface of the core layer and including a thermoplastic material, and a barrier layer covering the tie layer. The barrier layer includes a thermoplastic material having a melting temperature higher than the melting temperature of the core layer thermoplastic material. The tie layer bonds the barrier layer to the core layer. The panel also includes a non-woven layer including a fabric bonded to the barrier layer. The non-woven layer forms an outer surface of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Azdel, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Scott Woodman, Huda Abdul Jerri, Venkat Krishna Raghavendran, Jesse Guy Hipwell
  • Patent number: 7314212
    Abstract: A deformation and weather resistant, noise attenuating fencing assembly comprises a series of hollow posts, each post formed of a fiberglass reinforced resin, having spaced apart load bearing walls defining an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first open end and a second open end. The structure-reinforcing cap is inserted within a first open end of each of the posts and frictionally engages the interior surface of the post to substantially prevent movement of the exterior surface thereof when various types of appurtenant structures are mounted thereon, which would otherwise cause deformation and possible structural failure of the post walls. First and second clips are inserted into the first and second open ends of the post, respectively, to provide an easy mechanism to properly space and secure the posts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: William Ray Higgins
  • Patent number: 7314114
    Abstract: A device including a membrane having first and second faces; a first substrate disposed on the first face of the membrane and having (i) a plurality of first absorptive regions and (ii) a plurality of first reflective regions formed as wells in a face of the first substrate, the first absorptive regions and the first reflective regions arranged in a pre-defined grid pattern; a second substrate disposed on the second face of the membrane and having (i) a plurality of second absorptive regions and (ii) a plurality of second reflective regions formed as second wells in a face of the second substrate, the second absorptive regions and the second reflective regions arranged in the pre-defined grid pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Acoustics First Corporation
    Inventors: John Wesley Gardner, Clarence Nicholas Colleran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7279214
    Abstract: A floor covering characterized as having a strong noise-reducing properties for the interior trim of means of transport. The floor covering has, on the passenger side, a textile or non-textile surface, acoustically coupled through at least one microperforated sheet to a fibrous non-woven and/or foamed plastic. A microperforated sheet having a hole diameter from 0.2 to 0.5 mm and an interhole distance from 3 to 7 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignees: EEEA Entwicklungsgesellschaft fur Akustik mbH, HP-Chemie Pelzer Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Norbert Nicolai, Volkmar Schulze
  • Patent number: 7263028
    Abstract: The present invention provides means of enhancing the acoustic attenuation and vibration damping of a material by (1) embedding a plurality of small particles of either a high characteristic acoustic impedance or a low characteristic acoustic impedance or combinations of high and low characteristic acoustic impedance materials to form a matrix material to act as a acoustic attenuator or vibration damper; and (2) combing this matrix material with a second layer of a decoupling material that serves to effectively isolate the matrix material and reduce its tendency to vibrate sympathetically to the impinging acoustic energy. The mass of the resultant material may be very low while retaining excellent acoustic attenuation, vibration damping, and structural characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gerald B. Thomas, Paul R. Van Dyke, Bruce Guy
  • Publication number: 20070189567
    Abstract: The invention relates to an enclosure with a substantial rectangular configuration, adapted to contain an apparatus sensitive to acoustic vibrations, the enclosure comprising walls and acoustic damping material located within the wall, wherein the acoustic damping material comprises at least one absorbing body of acoustic energy absorbing material located adjacent to a rib of the enclosure. The acoustic vibrations most disturbing the processes in the apparatus within the enclosure are caused by standing acoustic waves within the enclosure with frequencies in the range between 50 Hz and 1000 Hz. These acoustic waves are efficiently damped by the provision of a block of acoustic absorbing material adjacent to one of the ribs of the enclosure, to such an extent that the need for thick walls of the enclosure is substantially obviated, leading to a less voluminous enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Albert Visscher, Joseph Hubert Marie Guillaume Schroen
  • Patent number: 7226656
    Abstract: A thermoformable acoustic sheet formed by a compressed fibrous web including high melt and adhesive thermoplastic fibres in which the adhesive fibres are at least partially melted so that in the compressed web the adhesive fibres at least partially coat the high melt fibres and reduce the interstitial space in the fibre matrix. Also included is a method of producing a thermoformable acoustic sheet which includes the steps of heating a fibre web including high melt and adhesive thermoplastic fibres to at least partially melt the adhesive fibres and compressing the web to form a sheet so that the adhesive fibres at least partially coat the high melt fibres to reduce the interstitial space in the fibre matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: I.N.C. Corporation
    Inventors: Michael William Coates, Marek Kierzkowski
  • Patent number: 7205043
    Abstract: A composite material containing inclusions of spherical shells in which each spherical shell encapsulates a rubber core with ferrite loading. The inclusions are embedded in a matrix material of syntactic foam. The spherical shells are made from glass and therefore acoustically transparent and in combination with the cores are statically stiffer than the surrounding matrix material. The composite material with the matrix material and inclusions allows the composite material to be acoustically dissipating with a stiffness in which the energy of forces associated with undersea platforms is resisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Arthur C. Spero, Carlos M. Godoy, Azriel Harari, James M. Teague
  • Patent number: 7124856
    Abstract: A passive acoustic liner system (50) for attenuating a sound field comprising, in acoustic series, a mode-scattering segment (48) and a sound-absorbing segment (40), wherein the mode scattering segment (48) provides a reactance between ?12 and ?2 ?c and the sound absorbing segment (40) provides a reactance between ?1 and 0 ?c thereby providing a reactance discontinuity such that mode-scattering of the sound field enables the sound-absorbing segment (48) to further absorb the scattered sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Andrew J Kempton, Nicholas J Baker, Alan McAlpine, Jeremy Astley
  • Patent number: 7070848
    Abstract: An acoustic barrier that achieves excellent noise insulating properties, and is relatively thin and relatively light in weight includes a flexible thermoplastic barrier layer having a plurality of apertures defining a latticed structure which includes apertures for pass-through components and non-pass-through apertures. The non-pass-through apertures are located where noise levels are expected or known to be relatively low. Effective acoustic performance can be maintained by completely eliminating material from the relatively thick and dense barrier layer at the low noise levels areas, and providing only absorptive decoupler material and/or lightweight sheet material such as plastic films in those areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Cascade Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6966594
    Abstract: A vehicle trim panel including a structural frame portion having an inner surface for facing a vehicle body and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and a plurality of flexible projections extending from the inner surface of the structural frame portion and configured to contact the vehicle body to thereby reduce buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) between the trim panel and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Wojewnik
  • Patent number: 6920723
    Abstract: A substrate for use in a flooring system which has a subfloor and a decorative upper layer. The substrate is made in a continuous sheet which has a bottom surface, a top surface, side surfaces and end surfaces. The top surface and the oppositely facing bottom surface are essentially parallel to each other and are spaced apart by the thickness of the substrate. Voids are provided in the substrate, the voids are provided between particles of rubber or other similar material. When the substrate is positioned between the subfloor and the decorative top layer, the particles of rubber provide the strength required to prevent deformation of the substrate in the direction of the thickness and the voids contribute to the sound dampening characteristics required to provide decibel reduction across the thickness of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Dodge-Regupol, Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul Charles Downey
  • Patent number: 6900145
    Abstract: A trim panel insulator is provided for a vehicle. The insulator includes a nonlaminate acoustical and thermal insulating layer of polymer fiber. The insulator may include a relatively high density, nonlaminate skin of polymer fiber and/or one or more facing layers constructed from various materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Tilton, Lee A. Staelgraeve, Thomas T. Block, Paul W. Poole
  • Patent number: 6899200
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sound barrier 1 including a plurality of elongate panels 2 having first and second ends 3 and 4, each panel 2 being formed from a shell 5 defining an inner chamber 6 adapted to contain sound attenuating liquid, said plurality of panels 2 being supportable in a planar configuration by a first support means 7 adapted to engage said first and second ends 3 and 4 respectively. Preferably the shell 5 is constructed from plastic and/or fiberglass and the sound attenuating liquid is water which may optionally include other materials such as sand, slurry, concrete rubble, mud, etc. Some embodiments include second support means 9 which are attachable to the post 7 so as to engage the panels 2 and thereby transfer a, substantial portion, or all of, the weight of each panel 2 to the post 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: John Kenneth Roberts, Kenneth James Arcus
  • Patent number: 6892856
    Abstract: Sound radiating structure includes a plurality of pipes each defining an inner cavity along the length of the pipe. Each of the pipes has an end opening at one end and is closed at the other end with a closure. Each of the pipes also has a side opening in its one side portion. When a sound is input to the sound radiating structure, it re-radiates various sound waves through a number of the end and side openings together with reflected sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kengo Takahashi, Tetsu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6878432
    Abstract: A panel structure for a transport machine is disclosed which is constituted by an integral combination of an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel has reinforcing protuberances and recesses, possessing a higher rigidity than the outer panel. The protuberances of the inner panel and a back side of the outer panel are bonded together through insulating layers present on the protuberances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Hiroki Ueda, Koji Fukumoto, Toshimitsu Tanaka, Akio Sugimoto, Akibumi Fujiwara, Kazuhisa Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 6871725
    Abstract: A honeycomb acoustic unit is provided, the unit comprising first and second honeycomb layers, the layers being made of honeycomb core, each being formed by metallurgical bonds, and a deformable septum having two opposing sides, the first and second honeycomb layers being metallurgically bonded to the two opposing sides of the deformable septum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey Don Johnson
  • Patent number: 6868940
    Abstract: A sound absorbing panel comprising a standoff layer disposed between a back plate and a screen. The standoff layer supports the screen at a standoff distance from the back plate. The standoff distance is substantially equal to ¼ the wavelength of a sound to be absorbed. An alternate embodiment sound absorbing panel includes a felt layer between the standoff layer and the screen. Another alternate embodiment comprises an apertured membrane supported by standoffs at a standoff distance from the back plate. The standoffs could be any appropriate standoff shape including I standoffs, Z standoffs, and angled standoffs. In one alternate embodiment the apertured membrane is a screen. In another alternate embodiment the apertured membrane is a perforated plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Julius Mekwinski
  • Patent number: 6851515
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sound-proofing panel, in particular a rotorcraft structural or lining panel: the sound-proofing panel (1) comprises at least two opposite plates (2, 3, 5, 6) forming between them a closed internal space (4), and an aggregate (7) including at least solid elements (8) in contact and which fills entirely said internal space (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignees: Eurocopter, Ateca
    Inventors: Marc Francis Vincent Dussac, Philippe Vie, Osmin Delverdier
  • Patent number: 6845841
    Abstract: An acoustic isolator is placeable between a sound producing body and a resting surface. The acoustic isolator includes a foam member having a first surface for receiving the sound producing body and a second surface for engaging the resting surface. The foam member is composed of a supportive foam member capable of substantially preventing the transfer of sound induced vibrations between the sound producing body and the resting surface while sustaining an internal deflection of less than about thirty percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Aluralex Acoustics
    Inventors: Eric T. Smith, Jeffrey D. Szymanski, Jeff Hedbeck, David R. Harbison
  • Publication number: 20040231914
    Abstract: A sound absorptive multilayer composite having an air-impermeable barrier, an air-permeable reinforcing core having an airflow resistance of at least about 100 mks Rayls and a thickness at least about ⅔ the final composite thickness, and a semipermeable airflow-resistive decorative membrane having an airflow resistance of about 500 to about 4000 mks Rayls can provide improved acoustic performance while maintaining a low thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Delton R. Thompson, Xiaohe Liu
  • Patent number: 6817442
    Abstract: A portion of a chassis comprised of a material forming a portion of the exterior of the chassis and a high-density flexible material adjacent an inner surface of the portion of the chassis with air holes formed contiguously through both the portion of the chassis and the high-density flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Donovan Van Sleet, Robin A. Steinbrecher, Casey Winkel
  • Patent number: 6796403
    Abstract: An exhaust system baffling apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a tube with at least one end that is not open. The apparatus further includes a plurality of C-shaped flanges in surrounding relation about the tube. The outer edges of the flanges have a contour which generally corresponds to a contour of an inner surface of a wall of an exhaust pipe. Opposed portions of the flanges adjacent the slits of the flanges are spread apart along the tube in a longitudinal direction. In addition, the opposed portions of the flanges adjacent the slits are angled in opposite directions and extend radially from the tube at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the tube. At least two of the flanges include brackets adjacent the outer edges of the flanges, wherein the brackets are adapted for securing the apparatus to an interior portion of the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: James C. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 6793037
    Abstract: Structured pre-form bodies as panel lining for wide-band sound absorption are made of an open-cell foam material having a rigid framework co-vibrating in a resonant manner at low frequencies. The pre-form bodies have a base layer and a columnar structure positioned directly in front of or on the base layer. The columnar structure has a non-symmetrical distribution of height and cross-section, thereby forming a wide-band tuned moderator gap and the columnar height corresponds approximately to the density of the base layer. The columnar structure has a framework resonance adjustable as a function of parameters of the base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Gerhard Babuke, Philip Leistner, Helmut Fuchs, Xueqin Zha
  • Patent number: 6789645
    Abstract: A multilayered, sound-insulating, mechanically strong sandwich element comprising two facing layers (1) substantially attached to a plastic foam core consisting of at least two layers (2) which are joined through contact points (also called bridges) (3) creating a gap or gaps (4) between the core layers (2), and in case of long spans and/or thin facing layers, travel stops inside the gap/gaps (4) to keep the core layers (2) at a certain distance from each other, wherein the core layer material is a semi-rigid, cellular material containing more tan 50 percent open cells, and has a tensile strength of more than 50 kPa, and has a compressive strength from 5 to 200 kPa, at 10 percent deformation. The distance between the contact points or bridges (3) is at least 350 mm. The new sandwich element can be used as a sound-insulating door, a partition element or a construction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Jean-Phillippe Deblander
  • Patent number: 6790520
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration dampening laminate that is lightweight and has superior sound insulation and vibration dampening properties. The vibration dampening laminate comprises a constraining layer, a viscoelastic adhesive layer, a foam spacing layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer including a release layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer and release layer are contoured to fit a profile of the article being soundproofed and vibration dampened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: John Todd, Robert S. Boyd, Melvyn J. Care
  • Patent number: 6782971
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for constructing an acoustic absorbing structure, such as a wall or enclosure, with removable and serviceable acoustic absorbing panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: ETS-Lindgren, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Dutton, John Phillips
  • Patent number: 6776258
    Abstract: An acoustic blanket system for use in attenuating acoustic energy. The acoustic blanket system including an acoustic blanket and apparatus for mounting the acoustic blanket to a structure. The acoustic blanket includes first and second cover materials heat-sealed around at least a portion of their perimeter. At least one acoustic attenuating panel is disposed within the heat-sealed cover materials to form a fully encapsulated acoustic blanket. The system for mounting the blanket includes a plurality of fastener assemblies that connect the blanket to a structure to define a tunable air gap of pre-determined dimension between the blanket and the structure. The mounting system also provides dimensional control of the blanket relative to the structure to control the air gap and prevent slumping and/or deformation during maximum loading environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Duane D. Grosskrueger, Brett E. Pisor
  • Patent number: 6764772
    Abstract: A sandwich material comprising two metal plates affixed to and separated by a fibrous core, is characterised in that the core comprises a three-dimensional porous network comprising metal fibres, wherein substantially all of the fibres are inclined at an acute angle to the plates. The sandwich material is lightweight, thin and handles like a monolithic sheet. It displays high beam stiffness and is easy to weld. It as therefore particularly useful in the manufacture of aircraft and vehicle parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Cambridge University Technical Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Trevor William Clyne, Athina Markaki
  • Patent number: 6712179
    Abstract: A sealing and acoustic insulation panel, in particular for automobile vehicle doors, includes a sealing sheet and a layer of acoustic insulation, with a bead of adhesive material on the sealing sheet for fixing the panel to a support plate. A frame for applying pressure to the bead of adhesive material is placed between the sealing and acoustic insulation panel and a trim panel clipped to the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Sofitec SA
    Inventor: Vincent Bouyonnet
  • Patent number: 6713167
    Abstract: A multilayer product which comprises a first element consisting of a layer of spongy, semi-rigid polymer (A), impregnated on one or both sides with polyurethane resin (B), and inserted between two layers of glass fibre, natural fibre or a combination of glass fibre and natural fibre (C) coupled with the central layer (B) (A) (B), wherein the first element is coupled with at least a second element comprising a layer of spongy, semi-rigid polymer (A) , wherein the second element is impregnated on one or both sides with polyurethane resin (B), and wherein the second element is coupled with an additional layer of glass fibre, natural fibre or a combination of glass fibre and natural fibre (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Industrialesud S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Di Sante, Patrizio D'Ambrosio, Mario Biggio, Guerino Di Sante, Cesare Di Domenico, Gabriella Giovannelli, Claudio Sfredda
  • Patent number: 6708626
    Abstract: A double-walled damping structure includes two parallel face plates 1 and 2, a plurality of ribs 3 and 4 extending in the same direction to connect the two parallel face plates 1 and 2, wherein in a section taken perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the ribs 3 and 4, all or most of the holes defined by the adjacent two ribs and the face plates are trapezoidal. The structure less transmits vibration, and is capable of further increasing a damping effect when a damping material is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ueda, Ichiro Yamagiwa, Akio Sugimoto, Toshimitsu Tanaka, Narikazu Hashimoto, Takashi Oka
  • Patent number: 6702063
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surface material comprising a fibrous structure having a weight average single fiber thickness of from 0.0001 to 1 dtex, a thickness of from 0.10 to 5 mm and a unit weight of from 50 to 500 g/m2, and disposed on a surface of a body in order to convert at least a part of a surface wave, generated on the surface of the body by vibration of the body, into a vibration of the fibrous structure, and a method for suppressing the influence due to the surface wave. In the present invention, by disposing the surface material on surfaces of various members receiving vibration, a modulation of the vibration originating from the surface wave which greatly influences a human acoustic sense can be efficiently suppressed, and a sound quality and an image quality can be prevented from being deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignees: AICA Engineering Co. Ltd., Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Tone, Mitsuru Tanabe, Masaki Maekawa
  • Patent number: 6668504
    Abstract: In a sound-deadened wall comprising wooden studs, each of which has a front edge and a back edge, a front wall panel is fastened to the front edges of the studs and a back wall panel is fastened to the back edges of the studs. Further, front spacers are positioned along the front edge of each stud, between the front edge of said stud and the front wall panel, so as to define air gaps between the front edge of said stud and the front wall panel, and back spacers are positioned along the back edge of each stud, between the back edge of said stud and the back wall panel, so as to define air gaps between the back edge of said stud and the back wall panel. Each wall panel has two expansive surfaces and the associated spacers are defined by elastomeric strips adhering to such wall panel, on the expansive face to face the associated edges of the studs, before such wall panel is fastened to the associated edges of the studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Knight-Celotex, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Hughart
  • Patent number: 6668974
    Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustic insulating glazing unit. This glazing unit comprises two glass sheets (12, 14) joined together around their periphery by means of an assembly (16) forming a seal (163) and an insert frame (161) which defines, with the two glass sheets, a flat cavity filled with a gas, and a waveguide fastened between the glass sheets, internal to the insert frame. The waveguide consists of at least one straight tubular section (20, 22, 24, 26) placed on the periphery of the gas-filled cavity along one side of the glazing unit, this section being provided with a transverse partition (28) which closes the latter in its length direction, the said partition being placed at a length position along the section which depends on the acoustic mode of the cavity that it is desired to disorganize, this partition defining, on either side of it, two chambers (30, 31) which communicate with the cavity through the ends of the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Beatrice Mottelet, Marc Rehfeld
  • Patent number: 6631937
    Abstract: A soundproofing cover absorbs noises, produced by a vehicle. It is fastened to a plurality of vehicle-side installation portions, and includes a cover body, composed of a polymer foamed substance, and a plurality of brackets, held integrally to the cover body. The respective brackets have an installation portion and a holding portion. The installation portion is to be fastened to the vehicle-side installation portions. The holding portion is held and fastened integrally to the cover body. At least two of the installation portions constitute a datum bracket, connected by one of the holding portions shared commonly. The positioning accuracy can be improved in the installation of the soundproofing cover to the vehicle-side installation portions so that the installation operability can be upgraded. In addition, the increment of the weight can be kept minimum so that the lightweighting requirement can be satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Miyakawa, Michio Ito
  • Patent number: 6613424
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an acoustically absorbent porous panel that is both rigid and resistant to sagging caused by moisture. The acoustically absorbent porous panel is comprised of at least two layers. The first layer is a facing layer formed from a cured aqueous foamed cementitious material. The foamed cementitious material comprises on a wet basis about 53% to about 68% by weight cement, about 17% to about 48% by weight water, about 0.05% to about 5% by weight fiber, and about 0.01% to about 10% by weight surfactant. Additionally, pores distributed within the cured material comprising about 75% to about 95% by volume of the material. The second layer is a backing layer that is affixed to the facing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: Dean L. Putt, Peter A. Christie, Andrea M. Moser, Marsha Stalker Bischel, Anthony L. Wiker
  • Patent number: 6607625
    Abstract: A process for producing an acoustically resistive layer, particularly for the nacelles of aircraft jet engines. The process includes producing a structural component by using thermoplastic resins, this component having a given quantity of open surface relative to the acoustic waves to be treated. The structural component is connected to an acoustic metallic fabric having a mesh adapted to the open surface quantity of the structural component. Then, the thermoplastic resin is heated under pressure at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: EADS Airbus SA
    Inventors: Robert Andre, Alain Porte, Eric Rambaud
  • Patent number: 6604603
    Abstract: A soundproofing system is used to insulate sound producing devices or parts of systems, especially vibrating conveyers. Such a system includes insulating elements that are provided with an inner face in the direction of the sound source and an outer face in the direction away from the sound source. A sound absorbing membrane which is made of a textile material and, more particularly, at least partially consists of glass fiber threads and/or woven wire, is arranged in the region of the inner face. The sound absorbing membrane is the inner skin of a covering. The covering includes an outer skin made of textile material. A soft insulating material comprising fiber mat material is arranged together with solid flat material in between the inner and outer skin of the covering. The insulating element offers optimal usage of all three elements, i.e., damping diaphragm, insulating material and at least one reflecting surface on the solid flat material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Etis AG
    Inventor: Anton Wirth
  • Patent number: 6598701
    Abstract: Shaped, microperforated sound absorbers and methods of making the same are herein provided. In one embodiment, the sound absorber is produced from a polymeric, typically plastic, film having a series of microperforations formed over all or a portion of the film surface. The film is then formed to produce the desired three-dimensional shape. The depth of the three-dimensional shape is controlled to provide the desired cavity depth which, in turn, influences the sound absorption spectrum. After forming, the three-dimensional shape is maintained without the need for additional supports or frames. Deformation of the microperforations due to the forming process does not substantially interfere with the sound absorption properties of the film. Further, film resonance over largely unsupported portions also has little effect on the sound absorption spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Wood, Paul A. Martinson
  • Patent number: 6598358
    Abstract: Aerogel particles, in particular in the form of composite materials, are used to deaden structure-borne and/or impact sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Fritz Schwertfeger, Marc Schmidt, Dierk Frank
  • Patent number: 6596389
    Abstract: An acoustical panel formed from a fibrous, open-celled material comprised of up to about 50% by weight fibers, between about 3% and about 10% by weight binder, between about 20% and about 75% by weight filler and about 0.01% to about 2.0% by weight surfactant. Additionally, voids are formed within the panel having an average distribution size diameter of about 50 &mgr;m to about 250 &mgr;m. The acoustic panel achieves very high sound absorption properties without the need for additional surface perforations, while maintaining a very high surface hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: Chester W. Hallett, John Felegi, Jr., William F. Fry, Ernest B. Nute, Jr., Robert D. Lewis, Alfred H. Adey
  • Patent number: 6591434
    Abstract: A sink, and a method of reducing vibration and resulting noise of such sinks, are disclosed. The sink includes a basin, a drain and first and second pads. The basin has a bottom wall, side walls, and inner and outer surfaces of such walls. The drain is in the bottom of the basin, and first and second regions are defined between the drain orifice and the first and second sides, respectively. The pads are attached to the bottom and a side wall, in each case proximate respective midpoints of open regions thereon. The pads are a laminate of a rubber-like material and metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Christopher M. De Cleene, Mark A. Romo