System, apparatus, and method for filtering ultrasonic noise within a fluid flow system

An ultrasonic acoustic noise filter for incorporation into a fluid flow conduit and for attenuating ultrasonic noise propagating in the fluid flow conduit, said noise filter comprising:

• a flow entrance;
• a flow exit;
• a plurality of channels extending between said flow entrance and said flow exit, each said channel defining a flow path between said entrance and said exit;
• and
• an absorbent element supported within one or more of said channels, said absorbent element including an absorbent material configured to absorb indirect ultrasonic noise propagating in said flow path, said absorbent material being disposed in generally parallel relation with said flow path.

An ultrasonic noise filter for incorporation into a fluid flow conduit and for attenuating ultrasonic noise propagating in the fluid flow conduit, said noise filter comprising:

• a flow entrance;
• a flow exit;
• said flow entrance and said flow exit defining a flow path extending therebetween, said flow path having a longitudinal centerline;
• and
• an absorbent element disposed in said flow path, said absorbent element including lateral sections of absorbent material configured to absorb indirect noise propagating in said flow path, said lateral sections being disposed generally parallel with said flow path and formed by spirally wound layers of said absorbent material.

An ultrasonic noise filter for incorporation into a fluid flow conduit and for attenuating ultrasonic noise propagating in the fluid flow conduit, said noise filter comprising:

• a flow entrance;
• a flow exit, wherein said flow entrance and said flow exit define a flow path extending therebetween;
• and
• at least one channel disposed between said flow entrance and said flow exit;
• and
• an absorbent element supported within said channel, said absorbent element including an absorbent material for absorbing indirect ultrasonic noise propagating in said channel by converting the indirect noise to vibration;
• wherein said absorbent material is a fibrous polyester material.

A method of attenuating ultrasonic acoustic noise in a fluid flow system between a noise source and a reference point, wherein the reference point and the noise source are disposed in fluid communication such that absent any flow obstruction therebetween, the noise source and the reference point would be positioned in direct line of sight acoustic relation, and such that noise generated by the noise source propagates between the noise source and the reference point through a fluid flow path defined therethrough, said method comprising the steps of:

• eliminating a direct acoustic line of sight between the noise source and the reference point;
• positioning an absorbent material in the flow path and in generally parallel relation therewith;
• and
• during flow conditions, utilizing the absorbent material to absorb indirect noise propagating through the flow path and converting the absorbed indirect noise to vibration.