Technologies for Re-Active Noise-cancelling Quiet panels (TRANQuil)

The aim of this project is to integrate three novel technologies in order to implement a "Smart Panel" as a flexible system for the active control of low frequency sound and vibration. This system would then be demonstrated on a number of increasingly challenging industrial applications, including panels on coaches, in luxury yachts and in open plan offices. The three technologies involve a novel transducer that combines mechanical actuation with vibration sensing, a moulded phenolic panel, whose characteristics can be tailored for passive as well as active noise control and an advanced signal processing algorithm that will allow the performance of the system to adapt to the particular application.

This project will potentially lead to direct industrial application in a number of areas. In particular the project is focussed on demonstrators for reducing noise and vibration in coach panels, panels in luxury yachts and partitions in offices. The need for this reduction is partly driven by legislation on safe noise levels and is party driven by the need to improve the perceived quality of manufactured products and thus gain a greater market share. Noise and vibration are a pervasive part of modern-day life that can lead to hearing impairment if the levels are too high, but can also cause a range of more general health problems even at lower levels. As vehicles and buildings become more light-weight to save on manufacturing resources and fuel, low frequency noise and vibration problems inevitably get worse. The only generally-applicable passive solution to this problem is to increase the mass, according to the well-known mass law. By using novel actuators and control systems this project holds the promise of a light-weight solution for reducing low frequency sound and vibration. Also, making the control algorithm adaptive for different disturbance spectra, the system will be applicable in a number of applications and will out-perform conventional PID controllers. Thus although specific exemplar demonstrators are being targeted in this project, the general approach has a wide and broadening application base, particularly in view of the increasing need to preserve resources and reduce carbon emissions.