Patent Application
20230358153
The subject disclosure relates generally to the field of aerosol and bioaerosol collection. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for reducing noise emitted from such devices.
Aerosol and bioaerosol collection devices use filters, impactors, cyclones, electrostatic devices and other techniques of applying force to particles to enable their collection from air onto a surface or into a liquid sample. Collection of particles from large volumes of air is imperative in most cases to enable detection and identification of particles that are generally dilute in the air source. High flow rates are generally required to enable collection from a large volume of air within minutes or hours. At high flow rates most collection devices have high pressure drops and require fans or blowers that often emit noise levels and frequencies that are disturbing to people in close proximity to the collector. The noise emitted from these devices is often especially troubling when found in indoor environments. Use in classrooms and business environments is often not possible due to high decibels and annoying frequencies that can be emitted from some systems.
Mufflers, baffles, and acoustic insulation are well known as methods for reducing noise emission from air movers. Applying these approaches to aerosol collectors, however, can be especially problematic due to the potential for particles being lost prior to collection and due to additional aerosol collector requirements, such as small size, light weight, and low pressure drop, which can also be impacted by devices for reducing noise emissions.
The present subject disclosure addresses the shortcomings outlined above and advances the art by providing noise-reducing systems for use with aerosol and bioaerosol collectors.
The disclosed systems include use of a muffler between the collection device and the air mover along with a baffle system at the outlet of the air mover. This approach enables reduction of higher frequency emissions from the inlet and lower frequency emissions from the outlet. Placement of the inlet muffler between the collection device and the air mover eliminates the potential for loss of particles prior to collection and the low pressure drop nature of the system does not negatively affect performance of the aerosol and bioaerosol collectors.
The present subject disclosure describes devices, systems and methods related to reducing noise emitted from active aerosol and bioaerosol collection devices. The system includes a noise reducing muffler between the collection component and the air mover and a noise reducing baffle at the outlet of the air mover. The muffler reduces higher frequency noises emitted from the air mover inlet while the baffle reduces lower frequency noises emitted from the air mover outlet. Placement of the muffler between the collection component and the air mover eliminates the potential for loss of particles to the muffler prior to collection. Certain aerosol collection devices may emit frequencies that require modified mufflers or baffle components at the inlet to the air mover or modified baffles or muffler components at the outlet of the air mover or acoustic insulation. These additions and modifications, that may be applied as part of the disclosed approach, will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after consideration of the present subject disclosure.
The present subject disclosure discloses noise-reducing systems for use with aerosol and bioaerosol collectors. The system includes use of a muffler between the collection device and the air mover along with a baffle system at the outlet of the air mover. This approach enables reduction of higher frequency emissions from the inlet and lower frequency emissions from the outlet. Placement of the inlet muffler between the collection device and the air mover eliminates the potential for loss of particles prior to collection.
Further, use of a muffler at the inlet, for removing higher frequency emissions, along with a low pressure drop baffle design at the outlet of the air mover enables significant noise reduction while adding only very limited pressure drop to the system. Maintaining low pressure drop in the system is important for nearly all aerosol collection devices. Addition of too much pressure drop to an aerosol collection device can result in lower flow rates, increased battery usage/shorter run times, and reduced collection efficiency. Finally, overcoming these negative results of increased pressure drop may require increased weight and size due to a need to increase onboard batteries or increase the air mover size.
Two aerosol collectors are provided as examples of aerosol or bioaerosol collectors that are compatible with the described system. These examples are not limiting to the present subject disclosure, but are merely used to more clearly describe the process. Others may also be used. The ones described in the present subject disclosure are the INNOVAPREP SPINCON (“SpinCon”) and the INNOVAPREP CUB (“Cub”) aerosol collectors. The SpinCon collects particles into a liquid sample using a wet contactor with tangential slit. The Cub uses an electret flat filter assembly to collect particles of interest.
The subject disclosure relates generally to the field of aerosol and bioaerosol collection. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for reducing the noise emitted from aerosol and bioaerosol collectors. More specifically the subject disclosure relates to reducing the noise of aerosol and bioaerosol collectors for use in locations where noise emitted from such devices is troublesome. This includes school and business settings as well as anywhere that loud or irritating noises can be distracting to people or animals in the near vicinity or within the same building.
The aerosol or bioaerosol collectors and associated noise reduction device can be used for applications such as, but not limited to, environmental monitoring, industrial hygiene applications, public health monitoring including disease outbreak monitoring and monitoring in health care facilities, animal health monitoring, food safety monitoring, pharmaceutical facility monitoring, metagenomics studies, biodefense and bioterrorism detection, and other similar applications.
In the described configuration, muffler 301 acts to reduce higher frequency noise through the aerosol collector inlet 304 while baffle 302 acts to reduce lower frequency noise through the aerosol collector outlet 312. The positioning of the muffler 301 between collector device 303 and air mover 305 acts to reduce transmission of noise through the inlet while not capturing target particles prior to the collector device 303. Further, due to the low pressure drop of the muffler 301, due to the straight flow path and internal diameter being similar to the internal diameter of the air mover inlet, the aerosol collector flow rate is not significantly affected. Similarly, because the baffle 302 contains a flow path of similar cross-sectional area to the air mover outlet 307 the pressure drop added to the aerosol collector is relatively insignificant and does not considerably change the aerosol collector flow rate.
The majority of the components of the housing of muffler 301 and baffle 302 will be generally manufactured from plastics and can be manufactured using injection molding, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, machining, silicone molding, or other approaches that will be well known to those skilled in the art. In a exemplary embodiment the muffler acoustic dampening 309 material within the muffler 301 will be made of layers of alternating acoustic foam and mass loaded vinyl. More specifically, moving from the central flow path 308 to the outside of muffler 301 the acoustic dampening material 309 layers will consist of an inner layer of acoustic foam, then a layer of mass loaded vinyl, a second layer of acoustic foam, a second layer of an mass loaded vinyl, a third layer of acoustic foam and finally a third layer of acoustic foam. The acoustic material is enclosed by an injection molded housing. Similarly, the inside walls and baffle walls within baffle 302 will be made from inner layers of acoustic foam and outer layers of mass loaded vinyl. Single layers of these materials may be used, or multiple layers can be used to further reduce noise transmission. Many other acoustic absorbing and dampening materials, that will be known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Further, many other approaches for layering these materials may be used to further enhance noise reduction, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. The remaining major components include fasteners, adhesives, glues, and other acoustic insulating and shielding materials that will be well known to those skilled in the art.
The Cub dry aerosol collector 408 consists of collector inlet 409, retaining collector clips 410, and user interface 411. Muffler 405 with muffler inlet 406 and muffler clips 407 is added to the collector inlet 409 and retained with collector clips 410. Filter assembly 403 with electret filter 404 is placed into muffler inlet 406. Omnidirectional inlet 401 with inlet slit 402 is added to muffler 405 and retained with muffler clips 407—locking filter assembly 403 with electret filter 404 in place. Finally, the assembled aerosol collector 408, muffler 405, filter assembly 403, and omnidirectional inlet 401 are placed onto baffle 412.
Baffle 412 is designed to mate with aerosol collector 408 such that air exiting the aerosol collector 408 outlet (hidden from view on underside of aerosol collector 408) is forced into baffle inlet 414. The air then flows through internal flow path of baffle 412 and out through baffle outlet 413. Further, baffle 412 contains male charging connector 416 which mates with the aerosol collector 408 DC port (hidden from view on underside of aerosol collector 408) when placed onto baffle 412 and pushed down into position. Female charging connector 415 accepts a charging cord from a standard power cord, so that the aerosol collector 408 can be charged when placed onto the baffle.
The muffler 405 contains a central flow path of similar internal diameter or similar cross-sectional area as the inlet 409 of aerosol collector 408. In this way the additional pressure drop associated with the muffler 405 is minimal. The central flow path of muffler 405 is lined with acoustic absorbing and insulating material to reduce transmission of noise through the inlet 409 of aerosol collector 408. Further, the length of the central flow path within muffler 405 is configured such that the noise reduction is maximized while the pressure drop is minimal, and the aesthetics of the entire system are conserved due to the ratio of height to width being near the optimal. The baffle 412 is positioned at the outlet of aerosol collector 408 to reduce transmission of noise through the outlet of air mover. The baffle 412 has a tortuous flow path of large enough cross-sectional area such that it adds only limited pressure drop to the aerosol collector 408. The flow path is lined with acoustic absorbing and insulating material to further reduce noise transmission through the system.
In the described configuration the muffler 405 acts to reduce higher frequency noise through the inlet 409 of aerosol collector 408 while the baffle 412 acts to reduce lower frequency noise through the aerosol collector 408 outlet. The positioning of the muffler 405 between filter assembly 403 and inlet 409 of aerosol collector 408 acts to reduce transmission of noise through the inlet while not capturing target particles prior to filter assembly 403. Further, due to the low pressure drop of the muffler 405, due to the straight flow path and internal diameter being similar to the internal diameter of the air mover inlet, the aerosol collector flow rate is not significantly affected. Similarly, because the baffle 412 uses a similar cross-sectional area to the aerosol collector 408 flow path the pressure drop added to the aerosol collector 408 is relatively insignificant and does not considerably change the aerosol collector flow rate.
The majority of the system components of the housing of muffler 405 and baffle 412 will be generally manufactured from plastics and can be manufactured using injection molding, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, machining, silicone molding, or other approaches that will be well known to those skilled in the art. In a exemplary embodiment the acoustic dampening material within the muffler 405 will be made of layers of alternating acoustic foam and mass loaded vinyl, with a central flow path formed and enclosed by the acoustic foam. The acoustic material is enclosed by an injection molded housing. Similarly, the inside walls and baffle walls within baffle 412 will be made from inner layers of acoustic foam and outer layers of mass loaded vinyl. Single layers of these materials may be used, or multiple layers can be used to further reduce noise transmission. Many other acoustic absorbing and dampening materials, that will be known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Further, many other approaches for layering these materials may be used to further enhance noise reduction, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. The remaining major components include fasteners, adhesives, glues, and other acoustic insulating and shielding materials that will be well known to those skilled in the art.
The Cub dry aerosol collector 507 with user interface 508 and collector flow path 509 is positioned between muffler 505 with muffler flow path 506 and baffle 510 with flow path 511 and outlet 512. Filter assembly 503 with electret filter 504 is placed into the inlet of muffler 505. Omnidirectional inlet 501 with inlet slit 502 is added to muffler 505 and retained with internal clips—locking filter assembly 503 with electret filter 504 in place. Finally, the assembled aerosol collector 507, muffler 505, filter assembly 503, and omnidirectional inlet 501 are placed onto baffle 510.
Baffle 510 is designed to mate with aerosol collector 507 such that air exiting air mover fan 513 and the aerosol collector 507 outlet (hidden from view on underside of aerosol collector 507) is forced into baffle flow path 511. The air then flows through internal flow path 511 of baffle 510 and out through baffle outlet 512.
The muffler 505 contains a central flow path 506 of similar internal diameter or similar cross-sectional area as the flow path 509 of aerosol collector 507. In this way the additional pressure drop associated with the muffler 505 is minimal. The central flow path of muffler 505 is lined with acoustic absorbing and insulating material to reduce transmission of noise through the inlet of aerosol collector 507. Further, the length of the central flow path within muffler 505 is configured such that the noise reduction is maximized while the pressure drop is minimal, and the aesthetics of the entire system are conserved due to the ratio of height to width being near the optimal. The baffle 510 is positioned at the outlet of aerosol collector 507 to reduce transmission of noise through the flow path 509 and outlet of aerosol collector 507. The baffle 510 has a tortuous flow path of large enough cross-sectional area such that it adds only limited pressure drop to the aerosol collector 507. The flow path is lined with acoustic absorbing and insulating material to further reduce noise transmission through the system.
In the described configuration the muffler 505 acts to reduce higher frequency noise through the inlet of aerosol collector 507 while the baffle 510 acts to reduce lower frequency noise through the flow path 509 of aerosol collector 507. The positioning of the muffler 505 between filter assembly 503 and inlet of aerosol collector 507 acts to reduce transmission of noise through the inlet while not capturing target particles prior to filter assembly 503. Further, due to the low pressure drop of the muffler 505, due to the straight flow path and internal diameter being similar to the internal diameter of the air mover inlet, the aerosol collector flow rate is not significantly affected. Similarly, because the baffle 510 uses a similar cross-sectional area to the aerosol collector 507 flow path the pressure drop added to the aerosol collector 507 is relatively insignificant and does not considerably change the aerosol collector flow rate.
The majority of the system components of the housing of muffler 505 and baffle 510 will be generally manufactured from plastics and can be manufactured using injection molding, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, machining, silicone molding, or other approaches that will be well known to those skilled in the art. In a exemplary embodiment the acoustic dampening material within the muffler 505 will be made of layers of alternating acoustic foam and mass loaded vinyl, with a central flow path formed and enclosed by the acoustic foam. The acoustic material is enclosed by an injection molded housing. Similarly, the inside walls and baffle walls within baffle 512 will be made from inner layers of acoustic foam and outer layers of mass loaded vinyl. Single layers of these materials may be used, or multiple layers can be used to further reduce noise transmission. Many other acoustic absorbing and dampening materials, that will be known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Further, many other approaches for layering these materials may be used to further enhance noise reduction, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. The remaining major components include fasteners, adhesives, glues, and other acoustic insulating and shielding materials that will be well known to those skilled in the art.
The Cub dry aerosol collector 607 with collector flow path 608 sits between muffler 605, with muffler flow path 606, and baffle 609 with flow path 610 and outlet 611. Filter assembly 603 with electret filter 604 is placed into the inlet of muffler 605. Omnidirectional inlet 601 with inlet slit 602 is added to muffler 605 and retained with internal clips—locking filter assembly 603 with electret filter 604 in place. Finally, the assembled aerosol collector 607, muffler 605, filter assembly 603, and omnidirectional inlet 601 are placed onto baffle 609.
Baffle 609 is designed to mate with aerosol collector 607 such that air exiting the aerosol collector 607 through flow path 608 is forced into baffle 609 flow path 510. The air then flows through internal flow path 610 of baffle 609 and out through baffle outlet 611.
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In a exemplary embodiment, internal flow path 606 of muffler 605 and flow path 610 of baffle 609 are surrounded by acoustic dampening material made of layers of alternating acoustic foam and mass loaded vinyl. The acoustic material within muffler 605 and baffle 609 is enclosed by an injection molded housing. The inner layers of internal flow path 606 and flow path 610 are made of acoustic foam and outer layers of mass loaded vinyl. Single layers of these materials may be used, or multiple layers can be used to further reduce noise transmission. Many other acoustic absorbing and dampening materials, that will be known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Further, many other approaches for layering these materials may be used to further enhance noise reduction, as will be well known to those skilled in the art.
In an exemplary embodiment, internal flow path 702 is surrounded by acoustic dampening material made of layers of alternating acoustic foam and mass loaded vinyl. The acoustic material within muffler 700 is enclosed by an injection molded housing. Internal flow path 702 is formed by an acoustic foam layer with an outer layer of mass loaded vinyl. Single layers of these materials may be used, or multiple layers can be used to further reduce noise transmission. Many other acoustic absorbing and dampening materials, that will be known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Further, many other approaches for layering these materials may be used to further enhance noise reduction, as will be well known to those skilled in the art.
Inside the muffler assembly 800 is contained three concentric acoustic dampening material rings: an outer dampening material ring 806, a middle dampening material ring 807, and an inner dampening material ring 808.
In the shown configuration, outer foam ring 806 is made up of an outer layer of a high-density acoustic rubber 809 and an inner layer of a foam rubber acoustic material 810. Similarly, middle foam ring 807 is made up of an outer layer of a high-density acoustic rubber 811 and an inner layer of a foam rubber acoustic material 812. Finally, the inner foam ring 808 is made up of an outer layer of a high-density acoustic rubber 813 and an inner layer of a foam rubber acoustic material 814.
Each ring is made out of flat sheet material that is cut to size and rolled into a ring before bonding the ends. A range of assemblies can be used for these concentric acoustic foam rings to achieve specific characteristics as will be well known to those skilled in the art. These include using pre-bonded dense rubber and foam material sheets constructed specifically for acoustic abatement purposed and custom constructed materials to achieve specific flow, noise abatement, and fire-retardant characteristics as desired. Further the rings can be constructed as described above or may be cut from thick sheets directly into rings may be custom molded rings. The high-density acoustic rubber may be from a class of materials commonly referred to as mass loaded vinyl or other materials that will be well known to those skilled in the art. The foam rubber acoustic material may be from a class of materials commonly referred to as acoustic foam or other materials that will be well known to those skilled in the art. A variety of assemblies of single layers or multiple alternating layers of sound abatement materials may be used to achieve the desired results as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
The inner foam ring 808 acts to not only provide noise abatement, but also to seal the inner flow path. For these purposes this ring is made from closed cell foam or contains an inner or outer closed cell foam or rubber sheet. In each case the inner foam ring 808 must seal tightly between top assembly 801 and bottom clip port assembly 805 in order to provide a sealed flow path.
To use baffle 900 a Cub dry aerosol collector is placed over the baffle 900 assembly with the female charging port in the Cub aligning with inlet 901 and male charging plug 904. The Cub is pushed down into place, thereby mating the Cub outlet with the inlet 901 and the Cub charging port with male charging plug 904.
The Cub can then be charged or run from wall power if the female charging cord port 905 is connected to a power supply. The Cub can also then be operated with the outlet flow from the Cub exiting through inlet 901 and through the flow path 902 lined with acoustic insulation material 906. Finally, the flow exits through outlet 903.
The tortuous flow path 902 through baffle 900 and the acoustic insulation material 906 lining said flow path 902 acts to significantly reduce the lower frequency noises that are emitted from the Cub outlet. Using a large cross-sectional area for flow path 902 helps keep the pressure drop through the baffle sufficiently low so that it does not significantly affect the flow rate or power usage of the Cub collector.
Each flat sheet of acoustic insulation material can be produced from a range of materials to achieve specific characteristics as will be well known to those skilled in the art. These include using pre-bonded dense rubber and foam material sheets constructed specifically for acoustic abatement purposed and custom constructed materials to achieve specific flow, noise abatement, and fire retardant characteristics as desired. In a exemplary embodiment the acoustic insulation material is made up of inner layers of open cell or closed cell foam rubber acoustic material and outer layers of mass loaded vinyl. Other materials and layering approaches may be used to further reduce noise emissions as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
To use baffle 1000 a Cub dry aerosol collector is placed over the baffle 1000 assembly with the female charging port in the Cub aligning with inlet 1001 and male charging plug 1007. The Cub is pushed down into place, thereby mating the Cub outlet with the inlet 1001 and the Cub charging port with male charging plug 1007. The Cub can then be charged or run from wall power if the female charging cord port 1009 is connected to a power supply.
The tortuous flow path through baffle 1000 and the acoustic insulation material layers 1006 lining said flow path act to significantly reduce the lower frequency noises that are emitted from the Cub outlet. Using a large cross-sectional area for flow path helps keep the pressure drop through the baffle sufficiently low so that it does not significantly affect the flow rate or power usage of the Cub collector.
Each flat sheet of acoustic insulation material layers 1006 can be produced from a range of materials to achieve specific characteristics as will be well known to those skilled in the art. These include using pre-bonded dense rubber and foam material sheets constructed specifically for acoustic abatement purposed and custom constructed materials to achieve specific flow, noise abatement, and fire-retardant characteristics as desired.
Aerosol Collector 1100 is made of removable omni-directional inlet assembly 1101 and collector body 1105 and uses filter 1104 for collection of aerosol and bioaerosols. Removable omni-directional inlet assembly 1101 contains hang loop 1103 and inlet opening 1102. Collector body 1105 contains four legs 1106, user interface 1107, filter seat 1108, and four inlet assembly clips 1109.
To use aerosol collector 1100, the user inserts filter 1104 into filter seat 1108 and attaches the removable omni-directional inlet assembly 1101 to the collector body 1105. The attachment is performed by pushing removable omni-directional inlet assembly 1101 onto the collector body 1105 and turning it approximately ¼-turn clockwise to engage the four inlet assembly clips 1109 into four pockets in the bottom of the removable omni-directional inlet assembly 1101.
User interface 1107 is then utilized to initiate a collection run. The aerosol Collector 1100 can be set with the user interface 1107 to collect at one of several flow rates and one of several run times or for continuous run. A battery indicator is used to signal the charge state of the onboard battery when appropriate.
After the collection period is complete, aerosol collector 1100 will turn off automatically or the user may utilize user interface 1107 to manually end the collection run. At that time, the user may grasp the collector body 1105 in one hand and the removable omni-directional inlet assembly 1101 in the other hand and turn it approximately ¼-turn counterclockwise to disengage the four inlet assembly clips 1109 from the four pockets in the bottom of the removable omni-directional inlet assembly 1101. The removable omni-directional inlet assembly 1101 can then be lifted away from collector body 1105 and filter 1104 may be removed. Filter 1104 may then be extracted or analyzed.
Inside the muffler assembly 1300 is contained three concentric acoustic dampening material rings: an outer dampening material ring 1306, a middle dampening material ring 1307, and an inner dampening material ring 1308. In the shown configuration, outer foam ring 1306 is made up of an outer layer of a high-density acoustic rubber 1309 and an inner layer of a foam rubber acoustic material 1310. Similarly, middle foam ring 1307 is made up of an outer layer of a high-density acoustic rubber 1311 and an inner layer of a foam rubber acoustic material 1312. Finally, the inner foam ring 1308 is made up of an outer layer of a high-density acoustic rubber 1313 and an inner layer of a foam rubber acoustic material 1314. Each ring is made out of flat sheet material that is cut to size and rolled into a ring before bonding the ends. A range of assemblies can be used for these concentric acoustic foam rings to achieve specific characteristics as will be well known to those skilled in the art. These include using prebonded dense rubber and foam material sheets constructed specifically for acoustic abatement purposed and custom constructed materials to achieve specific flow, noise abatement, and fire-retardant characteristics as desired. Further the rings can be constructed as described above or may be cut from thick sheets directly into rings may be custom molded rings. The high-density acoustic rubber may be from a class of materials commonly referred to as mass loaded vinyl or other materials that will be well known to those skilled in the art. The foam rubber acoustic material may be from a class of materials commonly referred to as acoustic foam or other materials that will be well known to those skilled in the art. A variety of assemblies of single layers or multiple alternating layers of sound abatement materials may be used to achieve the desired results as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
The inner foam ring 1308 acts to not only provide noise abatement, but also to seal the inner flow path. For these purposes this ring is made from closed cell foam or contains an inner or outer closed cell foam or rubber sheet. In each case the inner foam ring 1308 must seal tightly between top assembly 1301 and bottom clip port assembly 1305 in order to provide a sealed flow path.
Many other acoustic absorbing and dampening materials, that will be known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Further, many other approaches for layering these materials may be used to further enhance noise reduction, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. The remaining major components include fasteners, adhesives, glues, and other acoustic insulating and shielding materials that will be well known to those skilled in the art.
The acoustic dampening and insulating layers 1405, 1406, 1407 are enclosed within housing 1408 which is a plastic injection molded housing made up of a top and bottom held together with assembly screws. Clips 1409 and ports 1404 are used for attachment of a removable omni-directional inlet assembly at the inlet 1401 and the aerosol collector at the outlet 1403, respectively.
In an exemplary embodiment, internal flow path 1402 is surrounded by acoustic dampening material made of layers of alternating acoustic foam and mass loaded vinyl enclosed by an injection molded housing 1408. Single layers of these materials may be used, or multiple layers can be used to further reduce noise transmission. Many other acoustic absorbing and dampening materials, that will be known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Further, many other approaches for layering these materials may be used to further enhance noise reduction, as will be well known to those skilled in the art.
Within the internal flow path of baffle 1500 are two baffle plates which create a somewhat tortuous path that requires the outflow of air from the aerosol collector to flow around a first baffle plate and then around a second baffle plate before flowing out of exhaust 1504.
To use baffle 1500, a Cub dry aerosol collector is placed over the baffle 1500 assembly with the female charging port in the Cub aligning with inlet 1501 and male charging plug 1505. The Cub is pushed down into place, thereby mating the Cub outlet with the inlet 1501 and the Cub charging port with male charging plug 1505.
The Cub can then be charged or run from wall power if the female charging cord 1506 is connected to a power supply. The Cub can also then be operated with the outlet flow from the Cub exiting through inlet 1501 and through the internal flow path lined with acoustic insulation material 1503. Finally, the flow exits through outlet 1504.
The tortuous flow path through baffle 1500 which is lined with acoustic insulation material 1503 acts to significantly reduce the lower frequency noises that are emitted from the Cub outlet. Using a large cross-sectional area for the internal flow path helps keep the pressure drop through baffle 1500 sufficiently low so that it does not significantly affect the flow rate or power usage of the Cub collector.
Each flat sheet of acoustic insulation material can be produced from a range of materials to achieve specific characteristics as will be well known to those skilled in the art. These include using pre-bonded dense rubber and foam material sheets constructed specifically for acoustic abatement purposed and custom constructed materials to achieve specific flow, noise abatement, and fire retardant characteristics as desired. In a exemplary embodiment the acoustic insulation material is made up of inner layers of open cell or closed cell foam rubber acoustic material and outer layers of mass loaded vinyl. Other materials and layering approaches may be used to further reduce noise emissions as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
All acoustic insulation is made up of at least two layers, a thin layer of mass loaded vinyl or similar material and a thicker layer of acoustic foam or similar material. Other acoustic insulating materials that work by blocking and absorbing sound waves will be well known by those skilled in the art may also be used to achieve specific flow, noise abatement, size, weight, and fire-retardant characteristics as desired. Inside wall acoustic insulation 1603 is made up of an outer layer of mass loaded vinyl 1618 and an inner layer of acoustic foam insulation 1619. Bottom plate acoustic insulation 1607 is made up of a bottom layer of mass loaded vinyl 1608 and a top layer of acoustic foam insulation 1609. Bottom baffle plate 1613 is made up of a bottom layer of mass loaded vinyl 1614 and a top layer of acoustic foam insulation 1615. Top baffle plate 1610 is made up of a bottom layer of mass loaded vinyl 1611 and a top layer of acoustic foam insulation 1612.
Alternatively to using two layers of insulating material for each of the acoustic foam insulation layers, pre-engineered materials that contain graded or two bonded layers may be used, or single layers of material may be used in certain locations to further improve sound abatement, size or weight of the assembly. Many configurations and selected materials may be used as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
Housing 1602 with inside wall acoustic insulation 1603 forms inlet 1601. Housing 1602 contains port 1617 which holds male charging plug 1604 and charging cord 1605. Baffle 1600 is assembled by first placing inside wall acoustic insulation 1603, bottom baffle plate 1613, and top baffle plate 1610 within housing 1602. The acoustic insulating layers are held in due to the elasticity of the materials and their adhesion to the inner surface of housing 1602 but may be bonded as necessary. Bottom plate acoustic insulation 1607 is then placed onto bottom plate 1606 and bottom plate 1606 is attached to housing 1602 using assembly screws and rubber bumper feet 1616. Male charging plug 1604 and charging cord 1605 are then placed into port 1617.
To use baffle 1600, a Cub dry aerosol collector is placed over the baffle 1600 assembly with the Cub outlet aligning with inlet 1601 and female charging port in the Cub aligning with male charging plug 1604. The Cub is pushed down into place, thereby mating the Cub outlet with the inlet 1601 and the Cub charging port with male charging plug 1604. The Cub can then be charged or run from wall power if the plug on the female charging cord 1605 is connected to a power supply.
The tortuous flow path through baffle 1600, and the acoustic insulation material layers 1603, lining said flow path act to significantly reduce the lower frequency noises that are emitted from the Cub outlet. Using a large cross-sectional area for flow path helps keep the pressure drop through the baffle sufficiently low so that it does not significantly affect the flow rate or power usage of the Cub collector.
Each flat sheet of acoustic insulation material layers 1603 can be produced from a range of materials to achieve specific characteristics as will be well known to those skilled in the art. These include using pre-bonded dense rubber and foam material sheets constructed specifically for acoustic abatement purposes and custom constructed materials to achieve specific flow, noise abatement, and fire-retardant characteristics as desired.
Baffle 1700 is made up of housing 1702, bottom plate 1703, inside wall acoustic insulation which is made up of an outer layer of mass loaded vinyl 1704 and an inner layer of acoustic foam insulation 1705, bottom plate acoustic insulation which is made up of a bottom layer of mass loaded vinyl 1706 and a top layer of acoustic foam insulation 1707, bottom baffle plate which is made up of a bottom layer of mass loaded vinyl 1708 and a top layer of acoustic foam insulation 1709, top baffle plate which is made up of a bottom layer of mass loaded vinyl 1710 and a top layer of acoustic foam insulation 1711, and assembly screws and rubber bumper feet 1712.
All acoustic insulation is made up of two layers, a thin layer of mass loaded vinyl or similar material and a thicker layer of acoustic foam or similar material. Alternatively, to using two layers of insulating material for each of the acoustic foam insulation layers, pre-engineered materials that contain graded or two bonded layers may be used, or single layers of material may be used in certain locations to further improve sound abatement, size or weight of the assembly. Many configurations and selected materials may be used as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
Housing 1702 with inside wall acoustic insulation, which is made up of an outer layer of mass loaded vinyl 1704 and an inner layer of acoustic foam insulation 1705, forms inlet 1701. To use baffle 1700 an InnovaPrep Cub dry aerosol collector is placed over the baffle 1700 assembly with the Cub outlet aligning with inlet 1701 and female charging port in the Cub aligning with male charging plug of baffle 1700 (not shown in this view). The Cub is pushed down into place, thereby mating the Cub outlet with the inlet 1701 and the Cub charging port with male charging plug (not shown in this view).
The tortuous flow path through baffle 1700 and the acoustic insulation material layers lining said flow path act to significantly reduce the lower frequency noises that are emitted from the Cub outlet. Using a large cross-sectional area for flow path helps keep the pressure drop through the baffle sufficiently low so that it does not significantly affect the flow rate or power usage of the Cub collector.
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Each flat sheet of acoustic insulation material layers and baffle plates can be produced from a range of materials to achieve specific characteristics as will be well known to those skilled in the art. These include using pre-bonded dense rubber and foam material sheets constructed specifically for acoustic abatement purposes and custom constructed materials to achieve specific flow, noise abatement, and fire-retardant characteristics as desired.
The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the present subject disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the subject disclosure is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.
Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present subject disclosure, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present subject disclosure as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present subject disclosure should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present subject disclosure.
This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/331,220, filed Apr. 14, 2022, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety into this disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63331220 | Apr 2022 | US |
