Method and apparatus for reticulating foam material using shock waves in a gaseous environment
AssigneeSocpra Sciences Et Genie S.E.C.
InventorsNoureddine Atalla, Martin Brouillette, Oliver Doutres, Christian Hébert
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Abstract
The present document describes a method and apparatus to rapidly reticulate closed-cell or partially closed-cell foams. The method involves the propagation of an energy impulse inside the foam; the energy impulse can be a shock wave. The energy impulse is generated in the same gaseous environment in which the foam is immersed, preferentially air in room condition. The energy impulse destroys the membranes closing the foam cells without disintegrating the frame's structure. In particular, the method rapidly improves the acoustic and filtering behavior of the foams.
Claims29
A process for improving properties of closed-cell or partially closed cell foam material, the process comprising:
- immersing the foam material in a gaseous environment and subjecting the foam material to an energy impulse.
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A shock wave generator for reticulating a material immersed in a gaseous environment, the shock wave generator comprising:
- a primary section filled with a high pressure gas;
- a secondary section filled with a low pressure gas;
- an impermeable partition impermeably separating the primary section and the secondary section;
- wherein when the impermeable partition is suddenly removed, a shock wave is generated and propagates in the gaseous environment toward the material.
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A foam material reticulating system for treating a closed-cell or partially closed cell foam material for increasing acoustical or filtering properties of the foam material, the foam material reticulating system comprising:
- a conveyor for displacing the foam material in a gaseous environment;
- a shock wave generator for subjecting the foam material to a shock wave travelling in the gaseous environment.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.