Low frequency noise reduction methods and devices
AssigneeAmerican Wave Machines, Inc.
InventorBruce McFarland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various improvements for mitigating low-frequency noise (LFN) in a wave making apparatuses are disclosed. These improvements use a variety of structures to mitigate LFN formation emanating from the rapid depressurization of the chambers during the release water into a pool. The improvements include a variable pressure relief/exhaust valve opening speeds, a pressure relief slit on the exhaust port, a secondary pressure relief/exhaust valve, an active absorption panel and a passive absorption panel. Each of these improvements may be used alone or in combination with each other.
Claims13
An improvement for mitigating low frequency noise (LFN) in a wave making apparatus comprising a chamber (120) constructed to release water into a pool, the chamber (120) comprising a pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) having a valve blade or flap (15) constructed to regulate air flow from an interior of the chamber (120) to an exterior of the chamber (120), the improvement comprising:
- an actuator (20) connected to the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10);
- an actuator speed controller (25) connected to the actuator (20), wherein the actuator speed controller (25) comprises a first opening speed (26) and a second opening speed (27);
- wherein:
- the first opening speed is less than the second opening speed;
- the first opening speed is implemented at an initial opening of the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) for a period;
- and
- the period is selected to mitigate formation of LFN caused by the air flow through the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10);
- the actuator (20) comprises a valve blade or flap stroke percentage (VS %);
- the first opening speed is defined by (ΔVS %)1/second;
- and
- the second opening speed is defined by (ΔVS %)2/second.
An improvement for mitigating low frequency noise (LFN) in a wave making apparatus comprising a chamber (120) constructed to release water into a pool, the chamber (120) comprising a pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) having a valve blade or flap (15) constructed to regulate air flow from an interior of the chamber (120) to an exterior of the chamber (120), the improvement comprising:
- an actuator (20) connected to the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10);
- an actuator speed controller (25) connected to the actuator (20), wherein the actuator speed controller (25) comprises a first opening speed (26) and a second opening speed (27);
- wherein:
- the first opening speed is less than the second opening speed;
- the first opening speed is implemented at an initial opening of the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) for a period;
- and
- the period is selected to mitigate formation of LFN caused by the air flow through the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10);
- the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) comprises a pressure relief port (30) providing a conduit for the air flow in a first direction (35.1);
- the port (30) comprising a pressure relief slit (35) allowing airflow in a second direction (35.2) perpendicular to the first direction;
- the pressure relief slit (35) positioned adjacent to the valve blade or flap (15) such that the valve blade or flap (15) directs the air flow through the pressure relief slit (35) during the initial opening of the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10).
An improvement for mitigating low frequency noise (LFN) in a wave making apparatus comprising a chamber (120) constructed to release water into a pool, the chamber (120) comprising a pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) having a valve blade or flap (15) constructed to regulate air flow from an interior of the chamber (120) to an exterior of the chamber (120), the improvement comprising:
- an actuator (20) connected to the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10);
- an actuator speed controller (25) connected to the actuator (20), wherein the actuator speed controller (25) comprises a first opening speed (26) and a second opening speed (27);
- a secondary pressure relief valve (40) constructed to regulate a second air flow from the interior of the chamber (120) to the exterior of the chamber (120);
- a second actuator (42) connected to the secondary pressure relief valve (40);
- the actuator speed controller (25) connected to the second actuator (42);
- wherein:
- the first opening speed is less than the second opening speed;
- the first opening speed is implemented at an initial opening of the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) for a period;
- and
- the period is selected to mitigate formation of LFN caused by the air flow through the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10);
- the actuator speed controller (25) begins opening the secondary pressure relief valve (40) before the actuator speed controller (25) begins opening the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10).
An improvement for mitigating low frequency noise (LFN) in a wave making apparatus comprising a chamber (120) constructed to release water into a pool, the chamber (120) comprising a pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) having a valve blade or flap (15) constructed to regulate air flow from an interior of the chamber (120) to an exterior of the chamber (120), the improvement comprising:
- a pressure relief port (30) providing a conduit for the air flow in a first direction;
- the port (30) comprising a pressure relief slit (35) allowing airflow in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
- and
- the pressure relief slit (35) positioned adjacent to the valve blade or flap (15) such that the valve blade or flap (15) directs a sufficient portion of the air flow through the pressure relief slit (35) during an initial opening of the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) to mitigate formation of LFN.
An improvement for mitigating low frequency noise (LFN) in a wave making apparatus comprising a chamber (120) constructed to release water into a pool, the chamber (120) comprising a pressure relief or exhaust valve (10) having a valve blade or flap (15) constructed to regulate air flow from an interior of the chamber (120) to an exterior of the chamber (120), the improvement comprising:
- a secondary pressure relief valve (40) constructed to regulate a second air flow from the interior of the chamber (120) to the exterior of the chamber (120);
- an actuator (20) connected to the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10);
- a second actuator (42) connected to the secondary pressure relief valve (40);
- an actuator speed controller (25) connected to the actuator (20) and second actuator (42);
- wherein the actuator speed controller (25) begins opening the secondary pressure relief valve (40) before the actuator speed controller (25) begins opening the pressure relief or exhaust valve (10), to mitigate formation of LFN.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.