This application claims the benefit of French Patent Application Number 2300861 filed on Jan. 31, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference.
The present invention concerns an alveolar structure of an acoustic damping panel comprising at least one partition configured for vibrating at a desired frequency, and a method for producing said alveolar structure. The invention also concerns an acoustic damping panel comprising at least one such alveolar structure, and an aircraft comprising at least one such acoustic damping panel.
According to an embodiment of the prior art, a propulsion unit comprises a nacelle and a turbofan engine positioned inside the nacelle. Certain surfaces of the nacelle and the turbofan engine comprise acoustic damping panels for damping nuisance noise.
According to an embodiment visible in
Such an acoustic panel 10 uses the principle of a Helmholtz resonator. Thus the alveolar structure 14 has cells 14.1, the volume of which is adjusted as a function of the frequency range of the sound waves to be damped.
For certain frequencies, the acoustic damping panel 10 has a single alveolar structure 14, as illustrated in
These acoustic damping panels offer relatively good performance for a given frequency range situated in the high frequencies. In order to damp different frequency ranges, some of which are situated in the low frequencies, it is necessary to provide acoustic damping panels with different thicknesses, in particular acoustic damping panels with a large thickness suitable for low frequencies, which has undesirable consequences in terms of mass, bulk and production.
The present invention is intended to overcome some or all of the drawbacks in the prior art.
To this end, the invention concerns an alveolar structure of an acoustic damping panel which is configured for damping at least one sound wave of a given sound frequency, the alveolar structure extending between first and second surfaces, the alveolar structure comprising a plurality of cells separated by partitions which each have a first edge at the first surface, a second edge at the second surface, and third and fourth edges connecting the first and second edges, each partition having a first face oriented towards a first cell, and a second face oriented towards a second cell.
According to the invention, the alveolar structure comprises at least one partition provided with at least one cavity, configured such that said partition vibrates at a vibrational frequency substantially equal to the sound frequency of the sound wave to be damped.
Using an alveolar structure with a relative small and constant thickness, this solution allows damping of sound waves over several frequency ranges, in particular at least one in the low frequencies.
According to another characteristic, each cavity is a through cavity and opens onto the first and second faces.
According to another characteristic, each cavity is remote from the first, second, third and fourth edges.
According to another characteristic, at least some partitions each comprise two through cavities, the two cavities being offset to one another in a direction parallel to the first and second edges, spaced apart and substantially centered relative to the first and second edges and relative to the third and fourth edges.
According to another characteristic, the partitions each have a length measured in a direction parallel to the third and fourth edges, and a width measured in a direction parallel to the first and second edges. In addition, the two cavities each have a length, measured in a direction parallel to the third and fourth edges, of the order of 10 to 90% of the length of the partitions, and a width, measured in a direction parallel to the first and second edges, of the order of 0.1 to 1 mm.
According to another characteristic, the alveolar structure comprises single partitions each comprising a single layer of material, and double partitions each comprising two layers of material glued together. In addition, all single partitions of at least one considered zone of the alveolar structure each comprise at least one cavity.
According to another characteristic, the alveolar structure comprises at least first and second zones, the first zone being configured for damping at least one sound wave having a first sound frequency, the second zone being configured for damping at least one sound wave having a second sound frequency different from the first sound frequency, at least one partition of the first zone having at least one cavity configured such that said partition of the first zone vibrates at a frequency substantially equal to the first sound frequency.
According to another characteristic, at least one partition of the second zone has at least one cavity configured such that said partition of the second zone vibrates at a frequency substantially equal to the second sound frequency.
According to another characteristic, the alveolar structure comprises at least one attached element positioned in the second zone and configured for vibrating at a frequency substantially equal to the second frequency.
The invention also concerns a method for producing an alveolar structure according to any of the preceding characteristics, the production method comprising a step of cutting out sheets, steps of folding and gluing the sheets, a step of stacking the sheets so as to obtain a stack of sheets, and a step of stretching the stack so as to obtain the alveolar structure. According to the invention, the production method comprises at least one step of producing the cavities before the step of stretching the stack. According to another characteristic, each cavity is obtained by material removal.
The invention also concerns an acoustic damping panel comprising at least one alveolar structure according to one of the preceding characteristics, and an aircraft comprising at least one such acoustic damping panel.
Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, which description is given solely by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
According to an embodiment shown in
According to an embodiment visible in
According to one configuration, the air intake 28.1, the inner wall 34 or the outer wall 36 comprises at least one acoustic damping panel 38 which has an outer surface SE in contact with the secondary air flow and an inner surface SI opposite the outer surface SE.
Although it has been described as applying to a secondary exhaust duct 32, the invention is not limited to this application. Thus, the acoustic damping panel 38 can be positioned on any skin which has an outer surface SE in contact with an exterior environment Ext in which sound waves propagate during operation, such as for example a lip and an air inlet duct of an aircraft nacelle, a fan casing of an aircraft nacelle or any other surface of the propulsion unit 26 or aircraft 20. Irrespective of the configuration, the aircraft 20 comprises at least one acoustic damping panel 38.
According to an embodiment visible in
The solid layer 44 comprises at least one thin plate made of metal or composite material which is impermeable to sound waves.
The permeable structure 40, also called the acoustically resistive layer, may be made of metal or composite material and comprise one or more layer(s). The permeable structure 40 is permeable to at least one sound wave propagating into the external environment Ext.
The permeable structure 40 and the solid layer 44 are not described further here since they may be identical to those of the prior art.
According to a configuration visible in
Naturally, if a single alveolar structure 42 is provided, a thinner acoustic damping panel may be obtained.
The alveolar structure 42 extends between a first surface S1 in contact with or oriented towards the permeable structure 40, and a second surface S2 in contact with or oriented towards the solid layer 44. The alveolar structure 42 comprises a plurality of partitions 46 which each have a first edge 46.1 at the first surface S1, a second edge 46.2 at the second surface S2, and third and fourth edges 46.3, 46.4 (visible in
According to one configuration, the cells 48 have identical hexagonal cross-sections (in a transverse plane parallel to the first or second surface S1, S2). Thus the alveolar structure 42 forms a honeycomb. Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration. The cells 48 may have different, non-hexagonal cross sections.
Irrespective of the configuration, the alveolar structure 42 has a plurality of cells 48, 48′ separated by partitions 46 which each have a first edge 46.1 at the first surface S1, a second edge 46.2 at the second surface S2, and third and fourth edges 46.3, 46.4 connecting the first and second edges 46.1, 46.2; two adjacent partitions 46 are connected at their third and fourth edges 46.3, 46.4. The cells 48, 48′ are dimensioned in volume so as to attenuate, using the Helmholtz resonator principle, a range of sound waves having relatively high frequencies situated in a range from 1,500 to 5,000 Hz.
Each partition 46 has a first face F46 oriented towards a first cell 48, and a second face F46′ oriented towards a second cell 48′, a thickness E corresponding to a dimension separating the first and second faces F46, F46′, a length L46 corresponding to a distance separating the first and second edges 46.1, 46.2, and a width W46 corresponding to a dimension separating the third and fourth edges 46.3, 46.4.
According to an embodiment, certain partitions 46, called single partitions, each comprise a single layer of material. Certain partitions 46, called double partitions, each comprise two layers of material glued together.
According to a characteristic of the invention, an acoustic damping panel, which is configured for damping at least one sound wave with a given sound frequency, comprises an alveolar structure 42 which comprises at least one partition 46 having at least one cavity 50 configured such that the partition 46 vibrates at a vibrational frequency substantially equal to the sound frequency of the sound wave to be damped. The phrase “substantially equal” means that the vibrational frequency lies in a frequency range of +/−10% of the sound frequency.
Thus as well as damping sound waves at high frequencies using the principle of a Helmholtz resonator, the alveolar structure 42 is configured for damping sound waves over another frequency range, in particular low frequencies, thanks to the cavities 50 which allow the partitions 46 to vibrate at a frequency substantially equal to a sound frequency to be damped.
According to a non-limitative operating mode, each cavity 50 is obtained by material removal.
According to a configuration, each cavity 50 is remote from the first, second, third and fourth edges 46.1 to 46.4. However, at least one cavity 50 may extend up to at least one first edge of the first, second, third and fourth edges 46.1 to 46.4. For example, at least one cavity 50 may extend up to at least the first or second edge 46.1, 46.2.
According to a configuration visible in
According to a configuration, at least one partition 46 comprises a single cavity 50. According to another configuration, at least one partition 46 comprises several cavities 50, 50′.
According to an arrangement, all single partitions 46 of at least one considered zone of the alveolar structure 42 each comprise at least one cavity 50, 50′.
According to an embodiment, the alveolar structure 42 has a volume mass of the order of 20 to 150 kg/m3, partitions 46 which have a width W46 of the order of 4 to 20 mm, and a length L46 of the order of 10 to 60 mm, and hexagonal cells 48 dimensioned to damp sound waves of a frequency situated in a range from 1,500 to 5,000 Hz.
At least some partitions, in particular the single partitions 46, each comprise two through cavities 50, 50′ (connecting the first and second faces F46, F46′) which each have a length, measured in a first direction parallel to the third and fourth edges 46.3, 46.4, of the order of 10 to 90% of the length L46, and a width, measured in a second direction parallel to the first and second edges 46.1, 46.2, of the order of 0.1 to 1 mm. The two cavities 50, 50′ of a first partition 46 are offset relative to one another in the second direction, spaced apart by a distance of the order of 10 to 90% of the width W46, and are substantially centered relative to the first and second edges 46.1, 46.2 and relative to the third and fourth edges 46.3, 46.4. Such cavities 50, 50′ allow the partition 46 to vibrate at a vibrational frequency of the order of 500 to 1,000 Hz.
Thus an alveolar structure 42 with cells 48 having a volume adapted for damping sound waves of a first frequency using the principle of a Helmholtz resonator comprises partitions 46, some of which each comprise a cavity 50 configured to enable said partitions to vibrate at a second frequency and thus damp sound waves of the second frequency.
Knowing the frequency of the sound wave to be damped and the characteristics of the partitions 46, including in particular the material, thickness, length and width, the person skilled in the art is able to determine the characteristics of the cavity (or cavities) 50, 50′ to be produced on at least one partition 46 such that said partition 46 vibrates at a given frequency substantially equal to the frequency of the sound wave to be damped.
According to a configuration, all single partitions 46 vibrate and all have the same cavities 50, 50′ and are all configured to vibrate at the same frequency.
According to another configuration visible in
According to an embodiment visible in
These various steps may be automated.
The method for producing the alveolar structure 42 comprises at least one step of producing cavities 50, 50′, which may be carried out either before or after the step of stacking the sheets 52, in all cases before the step of stretching. According to an operating mode visible in
According to an embodiment, the alveolar structure 42 comprises at least one attached element, separate from the partitions 46 and configured for vibrating at a frequency substantially equal to a sound frequency of a sound wave to be damped.
According to an arrangement, the alveolar structure 42 comprises at least first and second zones, the first zone being configured for damping at least one sound wave having a first sound frequency, the second zone being configured for damping at least one sound wave having a second sound frequency different from the first sound frequency. The partitions 46 of the first zone having at least one cavity 50 are configured for vibrating at a frequency substantially equal to the first sound frequency. In addition, the alveolar structure 42 comprises, in the second zone, at least one attached element separate from the partitions 46 and configured for vibrating at a frequency substantially equal to the second sound frequency, as illustrated in
Thus it is possible to design an alveolar structure which has a relatively small and constant thickness and several zones, each of which is designed to damp sound waves at a given frequency.
According to an embodiment visible in
Each tab 64 has a first part 66.1 pressed against and fixed to the partition 46 and extending from the first end 64.1, and a second part 66.2 detached from the partition 46 and extending from the second end 64.2, the first and second parts 66.1, 66.2 being separated by a fold line 66.3.
According to a configuration, all single partitions 46 of at least one considered zone of the alveolar structure 42 each comprise at least one tab 64.
According to an arrangement visible in
According to an embodiment, each tab 64 is made of metal (such as an aluminum alloy for example) or composite material (based on aramid fibers for example), and has a thickness of the order of 50 to 500 μm. It has a constant width (dimension of the fold line 66.3) of the order of 10 to 90% of the width W46, and the second part 66.2 has a length (dimension between the fold line 66.3 and the second end 64.2) of the order of 5 to 80% of the length L46. Such a tab 64 vibrates at a frequency of the order of 500 to 1,500 Hz. Thus the acoustic damping panel 38 comprising at least one such tab 64 is configured for damping sound waves over two frequency ranges, namely high frequencies above 1,500 Hz and low frequencies of the order of 500 to 1,500 Hz.
Naturally, the invention is not limited to this number of tabs 64 per partition 46, or to the geometry, this arrangement or this material for the tabs 64. Thus the tabs may be attached to a single face F46, F46′ of a partition 46, or to both faces.
Thus depending on the sound frequency of the sound wave to be damped, the person skilled in the art will determine the material, arrangement and geometry of the tabs 64 such that they vibrate at a vibrational frequency substantially equal to the sound frequency of the sound wave to be damped.
As illustrated in
According to another embodiment visible in
This material strip 68 has upper and lower edges 70.1 which are substantially parallel with one another and with the first and second edges 46.1, 46.2 of the partitions 46.
For each cell 48 of the alveolar structure 42 through which it passes, the material strip 68 comprises a curved central part 72.1 and first and second side parts 72.2, 72.3 which are flat and coplanar and arranged respectively between the first end 68.1 and the central part 72.1, and between the second end 68.2 and the central part 72.1. As a variant, the central part 72.1 forms a V-shape when viewed from above. Whatever variant is used, for each cell 48, the material strip 68 comprises an over-length between its first and second ends 68.1, 68.2, enabling it to vibrate. According to an operating mode, for each material strip 68, each central part 72.1 is obtained by folding.
According to a configuration, the alveolar structure 42 comprises a single material strip 68 positioned in a single cell 48. According to another configuration, the alveolar structure 42 comprises several material strips 68 passing through all cells 48 of at least one considered zone of the alveolar structure 42. As illustrated on
According to a configuration, each material strip 68 is approximately centered relative to the first and second edges 46.1, 46.2 of the partitions 46, and has a height (dimension measured perpendicularly to the upper and lower edges 70.1, 70.2) which is substantially equal to one third of the length L46 of the partitions 46. Each material strip 68 is made of metal (such as an aluminum alloy for example) or composite material (based on aramid fibers for example), and has a thickness of the order of 20 to 500 μm. For each cell 48, each material strip 68 comprises a semi-cylindrical central part 72.1 with an axis substantially parallel to the third and fourth edges 46.3, 46.4 of the partitions 46 and a radius of the order of 0.5 to 3 mm.
Such a material strip 68 is configured to vibrate at a frequency of the order of 500 to 1,500 Hz. Thus the acoustic damping panel 38 comprising at least one such material strip 68 is configured for damping sound waves having a frequency of the order of 500 to 1,500 Hz.
Of course, the invention is not restricted to this configuration for the material strips 68. Thus as illustrated in
Thus depending on the sound frequency of the sound wave to be damped, the person skilled in the art will determine at least one characteristic (location, geometry, material etc.) of at least one material strip 68, 68′ such that it vibrates at a vibrational frequency substantially equal to the sound frequency of the sound wave to be damped.
As illustrated in
Irrespective of operating mode, the method for producing the alveolar structure 42 comprises a step of positioning the attached elements 64, 68, 68′ which step may be automated. According to an operating mode, this step may be carried out on each sheet 52 before the stacking step or alternately with the stacking step, the attached elements 64, 68, 68′ being positioned after depositing of a new sheet 52.
While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2300861 | Jan 2023 | FR | national |