CA2422420A1

CA2422420A1 - Portable, lightweight, foam-faced, hanging acoustic panel

Info

Publication number: CA2422420A1
Application number: CA 2422420
Authority: CA
Inventors: Arther W. Lightstone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-10
Filing date: 2003-03-10
Publication date: 2004-09-10

Abstract

An acoustical panel designed to allow the user to quickly and easily treat a room to control reverberation, standing waves, and frequency coloration is disclosed. This portable, lightweight, foam-faced, hanging acoustic panel is 24 inches wide by 48 inches tall by two to three inches thick (depending on the particular model). The panel has an active surface comprised of high-density (approximately 3.0 lb per square foot), open-cell, polyurethane foam pieces (both angled and flat) affixed to a rigid backing material. These panels are therefore designed to break the incident sound wave into separate planes while also absorbing some of the sound energy.
Testing shows a marked reduction in sound energy reflected from these panels compared to the sound energy reflected from an untreated wall.
The ease of installation is the primary differential advantage associated with the design of these portable, lightweight, foam-faced, hanging acoustic panels. As opposed to other foam-faced acoustic treatments, these hanging panels require no glue or assembly on the part of the end user. In the final analyses, these panels are designed to provide the end user with an effective acoustic treatment that is as simple to install as hanging a picture.
The thickness and angle of the foam pieces affixed onto the backing panel can be altered so as to vary their ability to diffuse and/or absorb sound energy across different sound frequencies.
Thus, depending on the configuration of foam pieces, an entire line of lightweight, foam-faced, hanging acoustic panels can be produced that will offer the ability to fine-tune the acoustic environment of a given room.

Description

Description The thickness and angle of the foam pieces affixed onto the backing panel can be altered so as to vary the panel's ability to diffuse and/or absorb sound energy across different sound frequencies. Thus, depending on the configuration of foam pieces, an entire line of lightweight, foam-faced, hanging acoustic panels can be produced that will offer the ability to fine-tune the acoustic environment of a given room.
The description of the panel outlined in claims 1 to 4 is provided in accordance with six different models of said panel.
Diffusion Oriented Panels:
Model 1024 is a diffuser oriented panel. The 1024 panel both absorbs and diffuses sound energy. This two by four foot panel is designed to break and deflect the incident sound wave into ten separate planes.
Thus, the incident sound is almost completely diffused, returning much less sound back to the sound source. (See Model 1024 diagram in the attached Drawings document.) Model 624 is a diffuser oriented panel. The 624 panel is designed to provide similar diffusion and absorption to the 1024 panel. This two by four foot panel breaks and deflects the incident sound wave into six separate planes. Thus, the incident sound is highly diffused, returning very little sound back to the sound source. (See Model 624 diagram in the attached Drawings document.) Model 424 is a diffuser oriented panel. Although this two by four foot panel is designed to break and deflect the incident sound wave into only four separate planes, none of these planes is reflected back to the source. Thus, the incident sound is almost completely diffused. (See Model 424 diagram in the attached Drawings document.) Absorption Oriented Panels:
Model 324L (Low-Frequency Absorber): This two by four foot panel breaks the incident sound wave into only three planes. However, the large midsection of this panel is flat and is therefore perpendicular to the sound wave. Thus, this panel absorbs more frequency than it diffuses. The three inch thick midsection provides this panel with a mass that allows it to absorb lower frequencies more effectively than panels with a thinner midsection. Naturally, the open cell structure of the foam also contributes to sound absorption. (See Model 324L diagram in the attached Drawings document.) Model 324M (Mid-Frequency Absorber): Like the 324L, this two by four foot panel breaks the incident sound wave into three planes. However, the large midsection of this panel is flat and is therefore perpendicular to the sound wave. Thus, this panel absorbs more frequency than it diffuses. The two inch thick midsection provides this panel with a mass that allows it to absorb lower frequencies more effectively than panels with a thinner midsection, but not as well as panels with a thicker midsection.
Naturally, the open cell structure of the foam also contributes to sound absorption. (See Model 324M
diagram in the attached Drawings document.) Model 324H (High-Frequency Absorber): Like the 324L and 324M, this two by four foot panel breaks the incident sound wave into three planes. However, the large midsection of this panel is flat and is therefore perpendicular to the sound wave. Thus, this panel absorbs more frequency than it diffuses. The one inch thick midsection provides this panel with a mass that does not allow it to absorb lower frequencies as well as panels with a thicker midsection. Naturally, the open cell structure of the foam also contributes to sound absorption. (See Model 324H diagram in the attached Drawings document.) Material Specifications:
~ Foam Surface Composition: high density (approximately 3.0 Ib), open cell, polyurethane foam ~ Foam Surface Flammability: fire retardant (aka RBR - reduced burn rate) ~ Backing material: made of any form of readily available rigid material (high density fibreboard, medium density fibreboard, hardboard, foamcore, corrugated plastic, composite plastic, etc.) Drawings Diffusion Oriented Panels:
~ Mode11024 ~ Model624 ~ Model424 Absorption Oriented Panels:
~ Mode1324H
~ Mode1324M
~ Mode1324L

Claims

1. Ease of Installation: As opposed to other foam-faced acoustic treatments, these portable, lightweight, foam-faced, hanging acoustic panels require no glue or assembly on the part of the end user. Many home studios exist in temporary locations, and for this reason many home recording enthusiasts are often hesitant to glue an acoustic treatment to their walls. These panels do not require glue, nor do they require assembly.

2. Large Coverage: Owing to the fact that the acoustic panel of claim 1 is two feet wide and extends four feet in height, when positioned 12 to 18 inches from the ceiling (on an eight foot wall) these panels will perform just as well regardless of whether the listener (or sound source) is sitting or standing.

3. Flexibility of Placement: The acoustic panel of claim 1 has a rigid backing, and can therefore be hung (in combination with other acoustic panels of claim 1) over any window that is less than 48" in height.
Thus, these panels can enhance sonic isolation as well as acoustic clarity.

4. Dual Purpose: The acoustic panel of claim 1 is a hybrid sound diffuser /
absorber. The acoustic panel of claim 1 is made of acoustic quality, high density (approximately 3.0 lb per square foot), open-cell, polyurethane foam. Its active surface is two to three inches thick at the peaks and one inch thick at the troughs. The open cell nature of the foam surface allows the surface to absorb sound energy, while the high density and angled cuts of the foam allows the surface to deflect some sound energy as well. Thus, these panels effectively absorb and diffuse sound waves.