Not applicable.
Not applicable.
No prior art is known to the Applicant.
An absorbing system for disrupting short and long sound energy wavelengths. Said absorbing system comprises a two hanging bars, a plurality of hanging straps, a suspended mass assembly. Said suspended mass assembly hangs from said two hanging bars with said plurality of hanging straps. Said suspended mass assembly comprises a suspended absorbing mass. Said suspended absorbing mass comprises a cover and an absorptive portion. Said cover encases and holds said absorptive portion. Said suspended absorbing mass comprises a plurality of depths between a top point and a bottom point. Said plurality of depths comprise a minimum depth and a maximum depth.
The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, said absorbing system 100 can be mounted on a side wall 110 or a rear wall 112 of a performance space. Wherein, with said absorbing system 100 attached to said side wall 110, said absorbing system 100 can comprise a leading edge 114 and a trailing edge 116 relative to a performance sound source 118.
In one embodiment, said absorbing system 100 can comprise a plurality of panels 200 arranged around an exterior sides 202 of said absorbing system 100.
Said plurality of panels 200 can comprise a two side panels 204 (which can comprise a first side panel 204a, and a second side panel 204b), an upper front panel 206 and a lower front panel 208.
Said absorbing system 100 can comprise a width 210, a height 212, an upper panel length 214, and a lower panel length 216.
Said two side panels 204 can comprise a triangular shape with a front corner angle 218. In one embodiment, said front corner angle 218 can comprise a right angle; wherein, said upper panel length 214 and said lower panel length 216 can comprise legs and said height 212 can comprise a hypotenuse.
In one embodiment, said height 212 can comprise 9′, said lower panel length 216 can comprise 8′, said width 210 can comprise 4′ and said upper panel length 214 can comprise about 4.1′.
Each of said plurality of panels 200 can comprise a panel thickness 222. In one embodiment, said panel thickness 222 can comprise 1-4 inches with 2 inches being preferred. In one embodiment, said plurality of panels 200 can comprise cloth wrapped being micro perforated.
In one embodiment, said absorbing system 100 can comprise an open back side 220, as illustrated, and as discussed below.
Said plurality of panels 200 can comprise a front panel 302, a top panel 304, and a two side panels 306 (comprising a first side panel 306a, and a second side panel 306b).
Said suspended mass assembly 300 can comprise a frame 308 and a suspended absorbing mass 310. In one embodiment, said suspended absorbing mass 310 can be hung within said frame 308 with a plurality of hanging straps 312. In one embodiment, instead of said plurality of hanging straps 312, z-straps or zip ties can be used.
Said suspended mass assembly 300 can further comprise a plurality of impaling clips 314. In one embodiment, said plurality of panels 200 can selectively attach to said frame 308 with said plurality of impaling clips 314.
Said absorbing system 100 can further comprise one or more acoustic plates 316 (which can comprise a front acoustic plate 316a, a first side acoustic plate 316b, and a back acoustic plate 316c). Each among said one or more acoustic plates 316 can comprise an acoustic membrane positioned between said plurality of panels 200 and said suspended absorbing mass 310. In one embodiment, said one or more acoustic plates 316 can fit within said frame 308, as illustrated in
Further, said one or more acoustic plates 316 can have a thickness of 1/16th-¼ inches.
In one embodiment, said front acoustic plate 316a and said back acoustic plate 316c can create a substantially parallel dual membrane chamber like a dual reed musical instrument. Here, said absorbing system 100 can go about matching frequencies of incoming sound with densities of materials, such as material choices for said one or more acoustic plates 316.
Said two side panels 306 can be installed with said front acoustic plate 316a inside of said front panel 302, said back acoustic plate 316c at said rear wall 112, and said first side acoustic plate 316b at said trailing edge 116 inside of said two side panels 306.
Included in
In a detailed view of said plurality of hanging straps 312 it is illustrated that said suspended mass assembly 300 can comprise a plurality of strap hooks 500 configured to receive a first end 502 of a portion of said plurality of hanging straps 312; further, a second end 504 of said plurality of hanging straps 312 can be attached to a top portion of said suspended absorbing mass 310 with a bag strap 506. In one embodiment, said plurality of hanging straps 312 can comprise four straps with two on each side of said suspended mass assembly 300.
In one embodiment, an air gap 700 can surround above and in front of said suspended absorbing mass 310. The position of said air gap 700 can ensure that said suspended absorbing mass 310 does not touch portions of said suspended mass assembly 300 or said plurality of panels 200.
In one embodiment, said suspended absorbing mass 310 can comprise a cover 702 and an absorptive portion 704. Said cover 702 can comprise a septum, a bag, or an encasement. In one embodiment, said cover 702 can comprise a cloth and plastic combination.
Said frame 308 can comprise a two vertical bars 1100, a two rear horizontal bars 1102, a front horizontal bar 1104, a two hanging bars 1106, and a two lower side bars 1108. Each of said bars can comprise an L-shaped cross-section.
Said one or more rear crossbars 1302 can comprise a first rear crossbar 1302a, and a second rear crossbar 1302b.
In one embodiment, said lower front frame 1300 can provide structure and support to said lower front panel 208. Said one or more rear crossbars 1302 can cross between said two vertical bars 1100 and be selectively attached to said wall 102 to mount said absorbing system 100.
Said lower front frame 1300 can comprise a two horizontal bars 1400 and a vertical bar 1402, being arranged, as illustrated, to fill a space between a lower of said two rear horizontal bars 1102, said front horizontal bar 1104 and said two lower side bars 1108.
In one embodiment, a sound energy 1600 can be directed at said absorbing system 100; wherein, since said suspended absorbing mass 310 is suspended from above with said plurality of hanging straps 312, it is free to absorb said sound energy 1600 and move in a twisting motion 1602 about a vertical axis 1604. Accordingly, vibrations can be absorbed more freely due to said twisting motion 1602.
In one embodiment, said absorptive portion 704 can comprise a plurality of depths 1700 (which can comprise a first depth 1700a, a second depth 1700b, a third depth 1700c and a maximum depth 1702) between a top point 1704 and a bottom point 1706.
Since said absorptive portion 704 comprises a substantially triangular cross section relative to said sound energy 1600, a full range of depths are incrementally represented within said plurality of depths 1700 as between a minimum depth 1708 (here being zero) and said maximum depth 1702.
As is known, said sound energy 1600 can comprise sound energy comprising various frequencies at a plurality of wavelengths 1800. As illustrated, said plurality of wavelengths 1800 can comprise a first wavelength 1802a, and a second wavelength 1802b. As illustrated, an anticipated travel direction 1808 of said sound energy 1600 in said performance space 106 is contemplated.
Although it more ideal to absorb said sound energy 1600 with said absorptive portion 704 being equally as thick as the soundwave to be absorbed, this is impractical. Namely, because many common base wavelengths can be relatively large in a listening space. For example, a subwoofer may commonly create wavelengths of 10 to 30 feet in length. There are not many rooms in which a 30-foot absorber can be easily placed.
However, a lesser-known property is being employed by said absorbing system 100; namely, a soundwave can be substantially broken up with an absorber being approximately one tenth ( 1/10th) as thick as the wavelength is long. This one tenth ratio represents an inverse relationship to wavelength. For example, a 63 Hz wavelength is 17.24 feet long, thus 1.72 feet—or 20.69 inches—of absorber can substantially disrupt a 63 Hz wavelength. Given that it is generally accepted standard hearing range for humans is 20 to 20,000 Hz. In air at atmospheric pressure, these represent sound waves with wavelengths of 17 meters (56 ft) to 1.7 centimeters (0.67 in). Thus, where said maximum depth 1702 of said absorptive portion 704 is about 30 inches, substantially all soundwaves can be disrupted.
Since said plurality of depths 1700 are linearly presented from said bottom point 1706 to said maximum depth 1702, a smooth cancellation and disruption will occur across the spectrum.
As shown, said absorbing system 100 is labeled as “Internal Limp Mass”. The underlying tests were conducted in a controlled environment and demonstrate the unexpected results of the current system compared with prior art absorbers.
In one embodiment, said absorbing system 100 can comprise a projected low frequency NRC 1904, as illustrated.
In one embodiment, by placing said first side acoustic plate 316b at said trailing edge 116 relative to said performance sound source 118 a first reflection of said sound energy 1600 will enter said absorbing system 100 at a side without said one or more acoustic plates 316 then need to penetrate all said suspended absorbing mass 310 and said first side acoustic plate 316b before exiting said absorbing system 100. Likewise, when an initial reflection of said sound energy 1600 becomes a residual reflection and is bouncing around said performance space 106, it will enter said absorbing system 100 from all sides, as previously discussed.
In one embodiment, said back acoustic plate 316c can be suspended without said one or more rear crossbars 1302 to allow said back acoustic plate 316c to move without contacting a portion of said frame 308 or said one or more rear crossbars 1302. Wherein, said back acoustic plate 316c can provide structural support to said frame 308 instead of said one or more rear crossbars 1302.
In one embodiment, said one or more acoustic plates 316 can be suspended within said absorbing system 100 to absorb said sound energy 1600. One method of suspending said one or more acoustic plates 316 can comprise attaching an elastic assembly at one or more edges of said one or more acoustic plates 316. In one embodiment, said elastic assembly can comprise one or more springs 2200 or one or more side supports 2202.
In one embodiment, said one or more springs 2200 can attach to a top end 2204 and a bottom end 2206 of said back acoustic plate 316c, as illustrated.
Said one or more side supports 2202 can comprise four side supports being attached to a first side 2208 and a second side 2210 of said back acoustic plate 316c.
In one embodiment, said one or more acoustic plates 316 can comprise plastic, rubber, or plywood.
In one embodiment, said one or more springs 2200 and said one or more side supports 2202 can interact with one another just as shocks and struts do in vehicles, that is one being mechanical and the other elastic, they can help to cancel one another out.
Whereby, said one or more acoustic plates 316 can be suspended to allow movement which is actively dampened. Unlike anything in the prior art, said one or more acoustic plates 316 is a suspended mass having relatively large surface areas. In one embodiment, said back acoustic plate 316c can comprise 16 square feet where said back acoustic plate 316c is four by four. Since the thickness of said one or more acoustic plates 316 can be modified at design time, various frequencies can be absorbed according to design parameters, to be discussed below.
In one embodiment, said one or more side supports 2202 can comprise strings, rubber bands, tape, and similar.
In one embodiment, said one or more acoustic plates 316 can comprise a plurality of said back acoustic plate 316c being attached with said one or more springs 2200 and said one or more side supports 2202.
When using sound absorbing panels to absorb low frequency sounds such as those made by subwoofer's, the technology being used is generally badly designed. This is because the length of the soundwave is much longer for bass and low frequency sounds as compared to high frequency sounds.
So how thick must we design said one or more acoustic plates 316, and specifically said back acoustic plate 316c to effectively absorb said sound energy 1600? Thickness has its limits when designing sound panels. Sufficient thickness may be difficult to accommodate in a room and maybe an eyesore in these cases.
In one embodiment, said one or more acoustic plates 316 can be designed, as said back acoustic plate 316c, as a diaphragmatic barrier. Said suspended mass performance table 2300 presents the work of the applicant to absorb such bass sounds.
Herein, the term “high” and “low” frequencies relatively high and low as measured by the human ear. For example, the bottom three octaves of sound which are audible to the human ear, which are covered in said suspended mass performance table 2300, in the y-axis. Likewise, in the x-axis of said suspended mass performance table 2300, said one or more acoustic plates 316 start at ⅛″ thickness on the left-hand side and as thin as possible on the right hand side.
An end user may desire to optimize his system for both higher and lower frequencies in which case the middle rows such as row 3-6 would be chosen.
One design technique here is to use a one inch by two inch weatherstripping is a baffle.
Here we want to add mass to the system which will help an absorbing base sounds. One approach is to use a block of wood, or plywood as discussed above. One advantage of wood is it allows more absorption and can wiggle or move which further adds to the absorption of sound.
One design technique is to continually make the wood thinner to absorb more sound.
Another approach is to mount two diaphragms on a spin table or a turntable. This double diaphragm design works like a drum. Recall that a drum has a battering head on its top and allows for the lower head in the upper head to sustain sounds as between them.
For example, said one or more acoustic plates 316 can be arranged in parallel in said frame 308 to create double diaphragm system. One advantage of this is to add mass at both ends and then increase the thickness of the membrane.
In one embodiment, said absorbing system 100 can be installed on said wall 102 with said front corner angle 218 facing forward, toward said performance sound source 118. In another embodiment, said front corner angle 218 can be facing backward toward said wall 102, as illustrated below.
In one embodiment, said absorbing system 100 can be installed with said front corner angle 218 facing said wall 102. Wherein, said front corner angle 218 can comprise a right angle, and said absorbing system 100 can be configured to fit between said wall 102 and a ceiling 2500, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, said absorbing system 100 can be configured to absorb four segments of said sound energy 1600 which fall within the auditory range of a human ear. In one embodiment, said plurality of panels 200 can comprise a core material configured to absorb frequencies identified with tweeter speakers, a mat of said plurality of panels 200 can be configured to absorb and reduce frequencies by another octave, said suspended mass assembly 300 can be configured to absorb woofer range sounds, and said one or more acoustic plates 316 can be adapted to absorb subwoofer range sounds.
These parts are introduced in this specification:
said absorbing system 100,
said wall 102,
said block diagram 104,
said performance space 106,
said plurality of absorbing systems 108,
said side wall 110,
said rear wall 112,
said leading edge 114,
said trailing edge 116,
said performance sound source 118,
said plurality of panels 200,
said exterior sides 202,
said two side panels 204,
said first side panel 204a,
said second side panel 204b,
said upper front panel 206,
said lower front panel 208,
said width 210,
said height 212,
said upper panel length 214,
said lower panel length 216,
said front corner angle 218,
said open back side 220,
said panel thickness 222,
said suspended mass assembly 300,
said front panel 302,
said top panel 304,
said two side panels 306,
said first side panel 306a,
said second side panel 306b,
said exterior frame 308,
said suspended absorbing mass 310,
said plurality of hanging straps 312,
said plurality of impaling clips 314,
said one or more acoustic plates 316,
said first acoustic plate 316a,
said second acoustic plate 316b,
said third acoustic plate 316c,
said first cut line 400a,
said second cut line 400b,
said third cut line 400c,
said fourth cut line 400d,
said fifth cut line 400e,
said plurality of strap hooks 500,
said first end 502,
said second end 504,
said bag strap 506,
said air gap 700,
said cover 702,
said absorptive portion 704,
said two vertical bars 1100,
said two rear horizontal bars 1102,
said front horizontal bar 1104,
said two hanging bars 1106,
said two lower side bars 1108,
said lower front frame 1300,
said one or more rear crossbars 1302,
said first rear crossbar 1302a,
said second rear crossbar 1302b,
said two horizontal bars 1400,
said vertical bar 1402,
said sound energy 1600,
said twisting motion 1602,
said vertical axis 1604,
said plurality of depths 1700,
said first depth 1700a,
said second depth 1700b,
said third depth 1700c,
said maximum depth 1702,
said top point 1704,
said bottom point 1706,
said minimum depth 1708,
said plurality of wavelengths 1800,
said first wavelength 1802a,
said second wavelength 1802b,
said wavelength data table 1804,
said wavelength data chart 1806,
said testing results chart and data table 1900,
said NRC results data table 1902,
said projected low frequency NRC 1904,
said one or more springs 2200,
said one or more side supports 2202,
said top end 2204,
said bottom end 2206,
said first side 2208,
said second side 2210,
said suspended mass performance table 2300,
said wall cover 2400, and
said ceiling 2500.
Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”
This application claims benefit to U.S. provisional patent application 63/144,060 filed 2021 Feb. 1 and 63144039 filed 2021 Feb. 1.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220246127 A1 | Aug 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63144060 | Feb 2021 | US | |
63144039 | Feb 2021 | US |