IP Library Granted Patent US 7,885,415
Granted Patent B2
US 7,885,415 · App. 11/213,424 · Granted Feb 8, 2011

Device and method for reducing sound of a noise source in narrow frequency ranges

Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,885,415
App. No.
11/213,424
Granted
Feb 8, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application relates to a sound reduction device as well as to a corresponding method. The sound reduction device comprises a sound pickup for measuring an occurring error signal of a primary sound wave of the noise source and of a secondary sound wave of a narrow-band electroacoustic transducer. This error signal may be transmitted to a control unit, which receives a reference signal of the noise source and generates a control signal which is adapted to change the mechanical values of the electroacoustic transducer.

Claims (31)

1. A device for reducing sound of a noise source generating a primary sound wave in narrow frequency ranges by superpositioning sound waves, comprising:

an electroacoustic transducer generating a secondary sound wave, the electroacoustic transducer comprising a suspended membrane having a spring stiffness and an adjustment mechanism capable of changing the spring stiffness of the suspended membrane;

at least one sound pickup;

a control unit;

wherein said at least one sound pickup is set up to measure an error signal of the primary sound wave and of the secondary sound wave;

wherein said at least one sound pickup is coupled to said control unit to transmit the error signal to said control unit;

wherein said control unit is arranged to receive a reference signal of the noise source and is coupled to the adjustment mechanism of said electroacoustic transducer such that the spring stiffness of the suspended membrane is changed on the basis of the reference signal and the error signal.

2. The sound reduction device according to claim 1 , further comprising a resonance amplifier, wherein said electroacoustic transducer is driven by said resonance amplifier.

3. The sound reduction device according to claim 2 , wherein said electroacoustic transducer in combination with said resonance amplifier make up a resonant circuit comprising an adjustable capacity which is controlled by said control unit to set an operating frequency.

4. The sound reduction device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit is controllable by an acquired velocity signal of the suspended membrane of said electroacoustic transducer.

5. The sound reduction device according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit is controllable by an output signal of said resonance amplifier.

6. The sound reduction device according to claim 5 , wherein said control unit is arranged to control the capacity of the resonant circuit in turn.

7. The sound reduction device according to claim 1 , wherein said control unit comprises a memory unit storing parameters to be controlled depending on the reference signal of the noise source.

8. An aircraft cabin comprising the sound reduction device of claim 1 for reducing the sound of a noise source generating a primary sound wave in a narrow frequency range.

9. A method for reducing sound of a noise source generating a primary sound wave in narrow frequency ranges by superpositioning sound waves, comprising:

generating a secondary sound wave by means of an electroacoustic transducer, the electroacoustic transducer comprising a suspended membrane having a spring stiffness and adjustment mechanism capable of changing the spring stiffness;

detecting an error signal of the primary sound wave and of the secondary sound wave; transmitting the error signal to a control unit;

generating a control signal for changing the spring stiffness of the suspended membrane of the electroacoustic transducer on the basis of a reference signal of the noise source and the error signal; and

changing the spring stiffness of the suspended membrane based on the control signal generated in the step of generating.

10. The sound reducing method of claim 9 , further comprising driving the electroacoustic transducer using a resonance amplifier.

11. The sound reducing method of claim 10 , further comprising:

combining the electroacoustic transducer and the resonance amplifier to make up a resonant circuit providing an adjustable capacity; and

controlling, with the control unit, the adjustable capacity of the resonant circuit in order to set an operating frequency.

12. The sound reducing method of claim 11 , further comprising:

registering a velocity signal of the suspended membrane of said electroacoustic transducer; and

regulating the control unit using the velocity signal registered during the step of registering.

13. The sound reducing method of claim 12 , wherein said control unit in turn controls the spring stiffness of the suspended membrane in response to the step of regulating the control unit.

14. The sound reducing method of claim 12 , wherein an output signal of said resonance amplifier is registered and the output signal is used in the step of regulating the control unit.

15. The sound reducing method of claim 14 , wherein said control unit in turn controls the capacity of the resonant circuit.

16. The sound reducing method of claim 9 , further comprising:

storing parameters to be controlled, depending on the error signal in the control unit.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 31, 2011
From: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
Reel/Frame 026360/0849 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 12, 2005
From: BREITBACH, HARALD; GERNER, CHRISTIAN; SACHAU, DELF
To: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 017346/0349 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2004 041 214 · Aug 26, 2004 · national
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60646282 · Jan 24, 2005
Related Publication 20060067537A1 · Mar 30, 2006