Patent Application
20230064261
The present disclosure generally relates to noise control, and more particularly to sound dampening.
Sound dampening involves reducing the amount of sound that escapes an area. Sound dampening techniques include inserting sound absorbing materials in and/or on walls, floors, ceilings, and windows to create a sound barrier in which acoustic waves are absorbed instead of reflected. There is an ongoing pursuit of new sound dampening solutions.
The disclosed sound dampening device and system provide an improved way to reduce the amount of noise leaving a given area. The device can include a tile body formed of a sound dampening material and one or more feet attached to a side of the tile body, wherein the one or more feet are formed of the sound dampening material. The tile body can be configured to mount to a mounting surface via the one or more feet, such that the side of the body is parallel to the mounting surface. The one or more feet can have a thickness that can be configured to provide an air gap between the mounting surface and a portion of the side of the tile body. The device can also include a connecting device configured to attach the device to the mounting surface. A sound dampening system can include the device and the mounting surface.
Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, examples, and claims.
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The term “tile body” as used herein refers to a three-dimensional shape that is a flat piece of material that resembles an item used to form a covering on a mounting surface. The “tile body” can be used in combination with any number of tile bodies to cover the mounting surface. “Tile body” can also be referred to as a “panel” or “acoustic panel.”
The term “mounting surface” as used herein refers to the surface of a wall, a floor, a ceiling, a partition, a door, a window, or combinations thereof, onto which one or more of the disclosed devices can be mounted.
The disclosure generally provides a sound dampening device and system. The device can include a tile body and one or more feet attached to a side of the tile body. The system can include the sound dampening device and a mounting surface.
The tile body can generally have a three-dimensional disc shape, such as a circular disc, triangular disc, rectangular disc, square disk, or any polygonal disc shape. In aspects, the tile body can be formed of a sound dampening material that can be an acoustic foam, a mass-loaded vinyl, a mineral wool, a compressed polyester, a soundproofing glue compound, a soundproofing fabric, an acoustic plaster, a fiberglass, or combinations thereof. The disc shape of the tile body is such that the tile body can have a first side parallel to a second side, with a perimeter wall extending between the two sides and that forms the thickness of the tile body. The two sides of the tile body can each have the same cross-sectional shape, and each side has a length that is greater than that of the thickness of the tile body. Exemplary dimensions of the tile body can include i) a thickness of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 mm, in combination with ii) a length of each of the sides in a range of from about 1 cm to about 3 m; alternatively, from about 1 cm to about 1 m; alternatively, from about 1 cm to about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 cm.
The first side of the tile body is configured to face a mounting surface. The second (opposite) side of the tile body is configured to face away from the mounting surface and toward the space in which the sound dampening device is used.
The one or more feet can be attached to the first side that is configured to face the mounting surface such that the one or more feet also face the mounting surface. The one or more feet can be formed of the same sound dampening material from which the tile body is formed. In some embodiments, the one or more feet can have the same thickness as the tile body; alternatively, the one or more feet can have a thickness greater than the thickness of the tile body; alternatively, the one or more feet can have a thickness less than the thickness of the tile body. The one or more feet can be embodied as a single perimeter foot that is attached to an outer portion of the side of the tile body that faces the mounting surface. Alternatively, the one or more feet can be embodied as two or more separate feet placed on the side of the tile body that faces the mounting surface (e.g., equally or unequally spaced around the perimeter of the outer portion of the side of the tile body). In aspects, a portion of the side of the tile body is not covered by the foot or feet, and the foot or feet can have a thickness such that an air gap is formed between the portion of the tile body that is not covered by the feet and the mounting surface.
The tile body can be configured to mount to a mounting surface via the one or more feet such that the side of the tile body is parallel to the mounting surface. Each of the one or more feet can have a thickness configured to provide an air gap between the mounting surface and a portion of the side of the tile body.
The sound dampening device can be configured to dampen, absorb, or dampen and absorb sound waves that collide with the side of the tile body that faces the space is in which the device is mounted. The device can be used in recording studios, offices, schools, apartments, hospitals, or other rooms and buildings where a noise control is desired.
The sound dampening device can be attached to any suitable mounting surface including, but not limited to, walls, ceilings, partitions, doors, and windows. The sound dampening device can generally have a contour that matches the contour of the mounting surface (e.g., flat-flat, curved-curved). The sound dampening device can be attached to the mounting surface using a connecting device, such as a screw, bolt, adhesive, hook, nail, anchor, or combinations thereof. The connecting device embodied as a screw, bolt, hook, nail, or anchor can pass through the one or more feet (e.g., at least one screw per foot) and the portion(s) of the tile body to which the one or more feet are connected. To the extent that a hole is formed in the second side of the tile body so that a connecting device can pass through the tile body, plugs can be placed in the hole to cover the connecting device and maintain a continuous surface of the sound dampening material on the second side of the sound dampening device.
Some embodiments of the sound dampening device can also comprise a noise generator attached to the side of the tile body that faces the mounting surface. The noise generator can be configured to generate sound waves in a direction that is away from the mounting surface (e.g., waves can travel into the side of the tile body, through the tile body, and out of the opposite (second) side of the tile body. In some embodiments, the noise generator is a white noise generator. In some embodiments, the noise generator is a vibrating transducer configured to generate sound waves (e.g., white noise sound waves) at an ambient noise level of a space in which the sound dampening device is mounted. The noise generator can be battery powered, have a wired power connection, or combinations thereof.
In the embodiment of the sound dampening device 10 depicted in
The bottom of the feet 110 can be placed on the mounting surface 160 such that an air gap 170 is formed between the mounting surface 160 and a portion 152 of the side 150 of the tile body 100 that is not covered by the feet 110. As the feet 110 are the same thickness as the perimeter wall 140 of the tile body 100, the air gap 170 is the same thickness as the tile body 100.
In
It is contemplated that the feet 110 of the sound dampening device 10 can be alternatively embodied as a single foot having a thickness that is the same as feet 110 and that is attached to the outer portion 153 of the side 150 of the tile body 100.
In the embodiment of the sound dampening device 20 depicted in
The sound dampening device 20 can be mounted to the mounting surface by screws 120. The screws 120 can extend through the tile body 100 and portions of the foot 210, into the mounting surface (e.g., mounting surface 160). Plugs 130 can be used in the same manner as described in the description for
It is contemplated that the foot 210 of the sound dampening device 20 can be alternatively embodied as multiple separate feet having a thickness that is the same as foot 210 and that is attached to the outer portion 153 of the side 150 of the tile body 100.
In embodiments, the foot 210 can be have a thickness configured to allow the sound dampening device 30 to accommodate the thickness of the noise generator 300 that is attached to the side 150 of the tile body 100. It is contemplated that the foot 210 of the sound dampening device 30 can be alternatively embodied as multiple separate feet having a thickness that is the same as foot 210 and that is attached to the outer portion 153 of the side 150 of the tile body 100.
The noise generator 300 may help produce noise in the space that the sound dampening device 30 is located. It has been found that the ambient noise level in a space in which the sound dampening device 30 can be used is around or about 45 dBA (e.g., 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, or 55 dBA). The noise generator 300 can be configured to emit sound waves at the ambient noise level in a direction that is away from the mounting surface (e.g., mounting surface 160 in
In some embodiments, the noise generator 300 can include a sensor that senses the ambient noise level in the space where the device 30 is located. The sensor can send a signal to a controller in the noise generator 300 that can be configured to adjust the generated noise to match the ambient noise level in the space. For example, the ambient noise level of an empty ballroom may be 45 dBA before guests arrive and higher (e.g., 47 dBA) after guests arrive. It is contemplated that embodiments of the noise generator 300 can sense the increase in ambient noise level and increase the output sound waves (e.g., generated noise) to match the new ambient noise level. The noise generator 300 can be configured to sense the ambient noise at periodic intervals and to adjust the output noise in response to the sensed ambient noise.
In aspects of the sound dampening devices 10, 20, and 30, the tile body 100 can have a thickness in the range of about 9 mm to about 18 mm (e.g., 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 mm), and the feet 110/210 can have a thickness in the range of about 9 mm to about 18 mm (e.g., 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 mm).
The ratio of the thickness of the one or more feet 110 to the thickness of the tile body 100 is 1:1 in
The ratio of the surface area of the one or more feet 110/210 to the surface are of the portion 152 of the side 150 of the tile body 100 that is not covered by the feet 110/210 can be in the range of from 0.1:1 to 10:1; alternatively, from 1:10 to 1:2 so as to provide an air gap of a size to increase the efficacy of sound dampening.
Embodiments of the sound dampening device are further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations to the scope of this invention. Various other aspects, embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, can suggest themselves to one of ordinary skill in the art.
For Examples 1-2 and 4-5, the decay rate of sound (which is directly related to sound absorption) was measured upon terminating a steady-state broadband pink noise signal in the 408-m3 reverberation chamber. Ten (10) ensemble averages containing twenty (20) decays each were measured with both the test specimen inside of and removed from the chamber. These decays were averaged using linear averaging algorithm and analyzed using ASTM C423-09a required methods to determine the absorption present in the reverberation chamber. The difference between these two (1) sound absorption tests (with and without the test specimen) at a given frequency was defined as the sound absorption of the specimen. The Sound Absorption Coefficient was the sound absorption per unit area of the test specimen. Sound Absorption Average (SAA) was the average of sound absorption coefficients for twelve (12) one-third octaves with mid-band frequencies from 200 Hz through 2500 Hz inclusive. Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) was a four-frequency average of the Sound Absorption Coefficient. Measurements were made in one-third octaves with mid-band frequencies from 100 Hz to 5000 Hz.
For Example 3, the decay rate of sound (which is directly related to sound absorption) was measured upon terminating a steady-state broadband pink noise signal in the 292-m3 reverberation chamber. Ensemble averages containing eighty (80) decays each were measured with both the test specimen inside of and removed from the chamber. These decays were averaged using linear averaging algorithm and analyzed using ASTM C423-17 required methods to determine the absorption present in the reverberation chamber. The difference between these two (1) sound absorption tests (with and without the test specimen) at a given frequency was defined as the sound absorption of the specimen. The Sound Absorption Coefficient was the sound absorption per unit area of the test specimen. Sound Absorption Average (SAA) was the average of sound absorption coefficients for twelve (12) one-third octaves with mid-band frequencies from 200 Hz through 2500 Hz inclusive. Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) was a four-frequency average of the Sound Absorption Coefficient. Measurements were made in one-third octaves with mid-band frequencies from 100 Hz to 5000 Hz, rounded to the nearest 0.05.
Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen having nominal dimensions of 2,743 mm in width by 2,438 mm in length by 9 mm in thickness [108 inches by 96 inches by ⅜ inch]. The test specimen was composed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted on the specimen.
The surface area of the specimen was 6.7 square meters [72 square feet]. The weight of the test specimen was measured as 11.6 kg [25.5 pounds], giving a weight per unit area of 1.7 kg/m2 [0.35 pounds/ft2].
The specimen was tested in a Type A Mounting. No air gap was used between the specimen and the mounting surface. Edges of the test specimen were flashed with sheet metal and were taped to the Reverberation room floor as the mounting surface. Metal tape sealed the specimen perimeter to the sheet metal flashing. Interior joints of the specimen were not taped/sealed.
Measured Sound Absorption [in units of area] and Sound Absorption Coefficients of the test specimen were reported in one-third octaves with mid-band frequencies from 100 to 5,000 Hz. These data points are provided in Table 1 below.
The Sound Absorption Average of the values in the chart was 0.32. The Noise Reduction Coefficient determined by the Sound Absorption Coefficients was 0.30.
Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen having nominal dimensions of 2,743 mm in width by 2,438 mm in length by 18 mm in thickness [108 inches by 96 inches by ¾ inch]. The specimen was composed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted on the specimen.
One (1) layer of tile bodies was placed side-by-side and abutted on the Reverberation chamber floor (the mounting surface) to make the final assembled plan area. A second layer of tile bodies was placed of the first layer of tile bodies with underlying seams staggered. The final assembled test specimen had a weight of 24.4 kg [53.7 pounds].
The test specimen was tested in a Type A Mounting. No air gap was used between the specimen and the mounting surface. Edges of the test specimen were flashed with sheet metal to restrict sound absorption to one face of the specimen. The sheet metal slashings were duct taped to the Reverberation chamber floor. Metal tape was used to seal the top surface of the specimen to the flashings along the long straight panel edges. Interior seams of the test specimen facing the sound field were not taped.
Measured Sound Absorption [in units of area] and Sound Absorption Coefficients of the test specimen at the preferred one0third octave mid-band frequencies are provided in Table 2.
The Sound Absorption Average for the specimen was 0.63. The Noise Reduction Coefficient for the specimen was determined to be 0.65.
Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen having nominal dimensions of 2,740 mm in width by 2,440 mm in length by 18 mm in thickness [108 inches by 96 inches by ⅜ inch]. The test specimen was composed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted on the specimen. The surface area of the specimen was 6.7 square meters [72 square feet]. The weight of the test specimen was measured as 14.06 kg [31.0 pounds], giving a weight per unit area of 2.1 kg/m2 [0.43 pounds/ft2].
The test specimen was tested in a Type F Mounting. A 9 mm air gap was created using feet formed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. Edges were not sealed, and interior joints of the specimen were not taped/sealed.
Measured Sound Absorption (in units of area) and Sound Absorption Coefficients of the test specimen are reported in one-third octaves with mid-band frequencies from 100 to 5000 Hz. This data is presented in Table 3.
The Sound Absorption Average (SAA) of the specimen was 0.48. The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of the specimen was calculated to be 0.50.
The specimen in Example 3 was the same thickness as the specimen in Example 1; however, the specimen in Example 3 had a 9 mm air gap while the specimen in Example 1 had no air gap. Presence of the 9 mm air gap resulted in the SAA and NRC of the specimen in Example 3 (SAA=0.48 and NRC=0.50) being greater than the SAA and NRC of Comparative Example 1 (SAA=0.32 and NRC=0.30).
The thickness of the specimen (9 mm) and the air gap (9 mm) in Example 3 was a total sound absorption thickness of 18 mm. The total thickness of the specimen in Example 2 with no air gap was 18 mm (18 mm of solid felt). Compared with Comparative Example 2, the specimen of Example 3 had a lower SAA and NRC (SAA=0.48 and NRC=0.50) compared with that of Example 2 (SAA=0.63 and NRC=0.65). This shows that the additional 9 mm felt material was better at sound absorption than the additional 9 mm air gap; however, not much better. Thus, it was determined that having an air gap in combination with a thickness of sound dampening material is feasible and effective for sound absorption and dampening, as well as cost-effective. Moreover, having feet made of the same material as the tile body and that help form the air gap provides effective sound absorption and dampening and also provides space for incorporating a noise generator in the air gap.
Based on the results of Example 3, it is believed that placing an air gap between the specimen of Example 2 and the mounting surface would results in an increase in the SAA and NRC, both for a 9 mm air gap and an 18 mm air gap.
Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen having nominal dimensions of 2,743 mm in width by 2,438 mm in length by 9 mm in thickness [108 inches by 96 inches by ⅜ inch]. The test specimen was composed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted on the specimen. The surface area of the specimen was 6.7 square meters [72 square feet]. The weight of the test specimen was measured as 11.6 kg [25.5 pounds], giving a weight per unit area of 1.7 kg/m2 [0.35 pounds/ft2].
The test specimen was tested in a Type D50 Mounting. A 50 mm air gap was created using feet formed of combinations of small wooden and plastic spacers. Edges of the test specimen were flashed with sheet metal and were taped to the Reverberation room floor. Metal tape sealed the specimen perimeter to the sheet metal flashing. Interior joints of the specimen were not taped/sealed.
Measured Sound Absorption (in units of area) and Sound Absorption Coefficients of the test specimen are reported in one-third octaves with mid-band frequencies from 100 to 5000 Hz. This data is presented in Table 4.
The Sound Absorption Average (SAA) of the specimen was 0.70. The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of the specimen was calculated to be 0.70. The specimen in Example 4 was the same thickness as the specimen in Example 1, but the SAA and NRC of the specimen in Example 4 are more than double. It is believed that the 50 mm air gap contributed to the higher SAA and NRC values for Example 4, and when compared with Example 1 and Example 3, shows that an increase in air gap distance does increase the SAA and NRC of the sound dampening device.
Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen having nominal dimensions of 2,743 mm in width by 2,438 mm in length by 18 mm in depth [108 inches by 96 inches by ¾ inch]. The test specimen was composed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted on the specimen.
One (1) layer of tile bodies was placed side-by-side and abutted 50 mm above the Reverberation chamber floor (the mounting surface) on spacers to make the final assembled plan area. A second layer tile bodies were placed over the first layer with underlying seams staggered. The final assembled test specimen weighed 24.4 kg [53.7 pounds].
The test specimen was tested in a Type D50 Mounting. A 50 mm air gap was created using feet formed of combinations of small wooden and plastic spacers. Edges of the test specimen were flashed with sheet metal to restrict sound absorption to one face of the specimen. The sheet metal flashings were duct taped to the Reverberation chamber floor. Metal tape was used to seal the top surface of the specimen to the flashings along the long straight panel edges. Interior seams of the test specimen facing the sound field were not taped.
Measured Sound Absorption (in units of area) and Sound Absorption Coefficients of the test specimen at the preferred one-third octave mid-band frequencies are provided in Table 5.
The Sound Absorption Average (SAA) of the specimen was 0.85. The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of the specimen was calculated to be 0.85. Similar to Example 4, the air gap present in Example 5 has provided a significant improvement over a test specimen of the same thickness with no air gap (e.g., Comparative Example 2). The test specimen in Comparative Example 2 had a thickness of 18 mm and was secured directly to the mounting surface without an air gap. The specimen in Example 5 similarly had a thickness of 18 mm had an air gap of 50. The specimen in Comparative Example 2 did not perform as well as Example 5, with an SAA (0.63 and 0.85 respectively) and NRC (0.65 and 0.85 respectively). It is believed that the 50 mm air gap contributed to the higher SAA and NRC values for Example 5, and when compared with Example 2, shows that an increase in air gap distance does increase the SAA and NRC of the sound dampening device.
Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
