Low restriction resonator with adjustable frequency characteristics for use in compressor nebulizer systems

A method of reducing noise in a compressor nebulizer system, comprising:

• disposing a side-branch resonator in the compressor nebulizer system, the side-branch resonator having:
• a housing forming a cavity, the housing comprising a one-way valve, the one-way valve being disposed in a first opening of the housing;
• the one-way valve configured to close when a pressure inside the cavity is greater than a pressure outside the cavity and to open when a pressure inside the cavity is less than a pressure outside the cavity;
• and
• an elongated member connected to a second opening of the housing, the second opening being different from the first opening, wherein the housing comprises a piezoelectric material;
• connecting pneumatically the elongated member to a pneumatic line linking between an inlet port of the compressor nebulizer system and a compressor pump of the compressor nebulizer system;
• pressurizing gas input through the inlet port and output through an outlet port of the compressor nebulizer system;
• and
• tuning a frequency range of the side-branch resonator so as to substantially reduce noise generated by the compressor pump.

A compressor system comprising:

• an inlet port configured to receive gas;
• an outlet port configured to output compressed gas;
• a compressor pump connected to the inlet port via a pneumatic line and to the outlet port, the compressor pump being configured to pressurize gas input through the inlet port and output a compressed gas through the outlet port, the compressor pump generating noise during operation of the compressor pump;
• and
• a side-branch resonator having:
• a housing forming a cavity, the housing comprising a one-way valve, the one-way valve being disposed in a first opening of the housing;
• the one-way valve configured to close when a pressure inside the cavity is greater than a pressure outside the cavity and to open when a pressure inside the cavity is less than a pressure outside the cavity;
• and
• an elongated member connected to a second opening of the housing, the second opening being different from the first opening and the elongated member being pneumatically connected to the pneumatic line between the inlet port and the compressor pump, wherein the side-branch resonator is configured to substantially reduce noise generated by the compressor pump, and wherein the housing of the side-branch resonator comprises a piezoelectric material, wherein flow of gas within the pneumatic line connecting the compressor pump and the inlet port is substantially unimpeded by the side-branch.