Technologies for Re-Active Noise-cancelling Quiet panels (TRANQuil)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering & the Environment
Abstract
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.
Planned Impact
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.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Steve Elliott (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Cheer J
(2016)
Active noise control of a diesel generator in a luxury yacht
in Applied Acoustics
Description | Active control can be used to reduce the noise from the standby generator of motor yachts Independently, some of this work is being carried forward as part of the UKRI Prosperity Partnership in Intelligent Structures for Low Noise Environments, which is being led by Prof S Daley at Southampton |
Exploitation Route | Other marine applications Independently, some of this work is being carried forward as part of the UKRI Prosperity Partnership in Intelligent Structures for Low Noise Environments, which is being led by Prof S Daley at Southampton |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
URL | http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/research/projects/active_control_of_sound_and_vibration_on_a_luxury_yacht.page |
Description | The active control system developed under this project is currently being evaluated by Princess Yachts Independently, some of this work is being carried forward as part of the UKRI Prosperity Partnership in Intelligent Structures for Low Noise Environments, which is being led by Prof S Daley at Southampton |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Impact Types | Economic |