Silencer incorporating elongated members

1. A baffle system comprising:

a plurality of elongated, generally tubular baffle members arranged in a gas flow and positioned in a spaced arrangement relative to each other, generally parallel to the gas flow;

wherein the baffle members each comprise a perforated shell configured for acoustic absorption to reduce noise generated by the gas flow, and to provide lateral flow redistribution through the plurality of baffle members to condition the gas flow.

2. The baffle system according to claim 1 , further comprising an acoustically absorptive material packed within the baffle members.

3. The baffle system according to claim 1 , further comprising a support structure configured to mount the plurality of baffle members in the gas flow, wherein the baffle members are uniformly spaced at a distance selected for aerodynamic requirements of the gas flow.

4. The baffle system according to claim 1 , wherein a length of the baffle members is selected based on a frequency distribution of the noise.

5. The baffle system according to claim 1 , wherein the tubular baffle members each comprise a spiral wound, crimped seam joining adjacent edges of the perforated shell and providing a continuous reinforcing rib structure therein.

6. The baffle system according to claim 1 , further comprising a generally hemispherical end cap at an end of each of the tubular baffle members, the end cap adapted to support the respective baffle members in the gas flow.

7. The baffle system according to claim 6 , wherein the end cap is spun, formed or punched in a generally hemispherical shape with a flattened apex portion.

8. The baffle system according to claim 6 , wherein the end cap is aerodynamically shaped and configured to provide and maintain uniform gas flow.

9. The baffle system according to claim 8 , further comprising a reinforcing disk secured to the end cap.

10. The baffle system according to claim 5 , wherein the tubular baffle members are supported at one or both ends by a supporting structure in a generally parallel orientation to the gas flow and arranged in a matrix configured for mounting the baffle members in the gas flow.

11. The baffle system according to claim 10 , wherein some of the baffle members are generally cylindrical.

12. The baffle system according to claim 10 , wherein some of the baffle members are other than cylindrical, oval, flattened or semi-circular.

13. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of elongated, tubular, generally cylindrical baffle members, each baffle member formed by winding a length of perforated shell material in a spiral and joining adjacent edges of the perforated shell material together at a seam to form a continuous reinforcing rib in the perforated shell material;

arranging the baffle members in an array wherein the baffle members are mounted to a supporting structure at one or both ends, in a generally parallel and selectively spaced matrix configuration;

positioning the array in a gas flow, wherein the baffle members are arranged generally parallel to the gas flow to reduce noise by acoustic absorption, and to provide lateral flow redistribution through the baffle members to condition the gas flow for improved flow uniformity.

14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising selectively spacing the baffle members at a uniform distance selected for aerodynamic requirements of a testing facility associated with the gas flow.

15. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising selecting a length of the baffle members according to a frequency distribution of the noise.

16. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the perforated shell material comprises a perforated metal material, and further comprising at least partially filling the baffle members with an acoustically absorptive material.

17. The method according to claim 13 , wherein positioning the array in the gas flow comprises mounting the baffle members in an aerodynamic test facility, a wind tunnel, a gas turbine engine test facility, a power generation facility, an industrial or manufacturing facility, a vehicle manufacturing facility or a vehicle testing facility.

18. A silencer system configured for use in a gas flow associated with an aerodynamic wind tunnel or engine facility the silencer system comprising:

an array of elongated, generally cylindrical and tubular acoustic baffle members, each acoustic baffle member formed of a spiral perforated shell winding having a crimped seam joining adjacent edges thereof, the crimped seam providing a continuous reinforcing rib in the perforated shell; and

a supporting structure configured for mounting the array of acoustic baffle members at one or both ends thereof, the ends having aerodynamically shaped end caps with interfaces configured for mounting to the supporting structure and for arranging the baffle members in a generally parallel and selectively spaced configuration within the array;

wherein the baffle members are arranged generally parallel to the gas flow and configured to reduce the noise by acoustic absorption and to provide lateral flow redistribution through the baffle members to condition the gas flow for uniform velocity distribution.

19. The silencer system according to claim 18 , wherein the baffle members are formed from perforated sheet metal having an unperforated margin adjacent the crimped seam joining the adjacent edges of the spiral perforated shell winding.

20. The silencer system according to claim 19 , wherein the baffle members are uniformly spaced at a selected distance relative to each other, and wherein the distance is selected to reduce a targeted acoustic noise frequency in the gas flow.

21. The silencer system according to claim 18 , wherein the acoustic baffle members have a length selected according to a frequency distribution of the noise and a uniform spacing distance selected for aerodynamic requirements of the wind tunnel or engine facility.