The invention relates to a resonance-absorption acoustic-insulation
panel, of the type having a thin sheet or
diaphragm vibrating when exposed to the action of sound
waves, as defined in the preamble of claim 1.
It is known that panels and various acoustic insulation
materials employed for attenuating reflexion of sound waves
within environments in which the so-called acoustic
"reverberation" or "reverberation time" is wished to be
controlled, are of several different types and also that the
acoustic insulation features are due to the occurrence of
physical phenomena that are at least partly different.
There are, for example, porous or spongy panels in which
absorption of sound wave energy mainly takes place within the
pores, by the combined effect of air viscosity and friction
at the pore walls. In addition, fibres in porous materials
are set in vibration and sound wave energy is converted into
heat energy.
Porous or spongy panels are generally thick and bulky, can
constitute a danger in case of fire if they contain wooden or
plastic material fibres or can show environmental
incompatibility when they contain glass or rock wool fibres.
Cleaning of these panels is then of difficult accomplishment
and said panels lose their acoustic insulation capability if
surface protected to resist dust and moulds.
There are also perforated panels, or cavity resonators
disposed at a distance from the walls to which they are
applied, in which absorption of sound wave energy takes place
due to the so-called "cavity resonance". These panels have
wide holes In sight and are spaced apart from the walls by a
hollow space, and they act in the same manner as "Helmholtz
resonators" which are formed of enclosures where the inner
cavity communicates with the outside through a small tube.
Panels provided with a perforated front face have a great
bulkiness when installed and are quite unacceptable, due to
their holes, in environments requiring important hygienic
measures and subjected to frequent sanitization operations,
such as food industries and hospitals.
Finally, there are resonance-absorption acoustic-insulation
panels which particularly concern the present invention and
which are also called vibrating panels, said panels having
thin sheets or diaphragms of non-porous material, devoid of
perforations, linked at their outer edges and separated by a
thin hollow space from the walls of the environment in which
they are inserted.
Sound waves, on impinging against one of said panels cause
the diaphragm to be pushed and attracted setting it in
vibration. Therefore a system is created in which there is a
mass dissipating sound energy by vibration.
The closer the frequency of the incident sound is to the
resonance frequency proper to the diaphragm, the greater the
sound energy dissipation is.
Vibrating panels are of reduced bulkiness in terms of
thickness, give satisfactory results in terms of hygiene,
because they are neither surface porous nor perforated, and
in addition, the acoustic insulation resulting from the
phenomenon briefly described above is high.
However, said vibrating panels have the drawback of showing a
very selective acoustic absorption, that only takes place
with the frequency or frequencies at which the system
resonates.
This drawback gives rise to various problems making planning,
manufacture and installation of vibrating panels very
complicated and expensive, which panels also often cause an
acoustic insulation that does not correspond to expectations.
A first problem is connected with the fact that application
of these vibrating panels must be carefully studied and
arranged by previously identifying which are the acoustic
frequencies that it is in particular necessary to damp, in a
given environment.
A second problem is connected with accomplishment of these
vibrating panels, since the value of maximum absorption or
maximum resonance frequency greatly varies on varying of the
dimensional and physical features of the panel structure.
Finally a third problem is connected with the fact that as
soon as there is a variation in the acoustic features of an
environment, for any reason, the already installed vibrating
panels are no longer of real utility, due to the selectivity
of their action.
In order to partly overcome these difficulties, by widening
the frequency band in which the vibrating panels are
efficient, placement of a layer of, for example, a fibrous or
porous material behind the vibrating diaphragm, for damping
sound waves, is known.
In this way, however, the deadening effect at the proper
vibration frequency of the system is reduced.
Furthermore, addition - although in a covered position - of a
layer of porous materials can give rise to drawbacks similar
to those of said porous or spongy panels, that is
environmental problems due to the presence of glass or rock
wool fibres, or dangers in case of fire if there are wooden
or plastic material fibres.
Then, panels having such a complicated structure are
expensive, bulky and heavy.
Under this situation, the technical task underlying the
present invention is to devise a resonance-absorption
acoustic-insulation panel, capable of obviating the above
mentioned drawbacks.
Within the scope of this technical task, it is an important
aim of the invention to devise a panel that during the
manufacturing step enables the frequency band at which the
greatest acoustic absorption is wished to take place to be
established in a precise manner and to be varied with ease.
Another important aim of the invention is to devise a panel
capable of having a high number of resonance frequencies, so
as to be able to absorb a wide range of sound waves.
A further important aim of the invention is to devise a panel
suitable both for environments having high hygienic
requirements where frequent sanitization operations are
carried out, and for premises of high-humidity atmosphere,
and further adapted to environments where fire-prevention
features of very high degree are required.
A still further object of the invention is to devise a panel
of simple structure, low cost and minimum bulkiness.
The technical task mentioned and the aims specified are
substantially achieved by a resonance-absorption acoustic-insulation
panel as claimed in the appended claim 1.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be best
understood from the detailed description of a panel in
accordance with the invention, shown in the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a panel in
accordance with the invention, seen in an isolated position; Fig. 2 is a perspective and partial view of the panel
shown in Fig. 1 applied to a wall; Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows how the acoustic absorption coefficient
varies on varying of the sound wave frequency in the presence
of holes of a 20 mm diameter; Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4, but referred to holes having
a 30 mm diameter; Fig. 6 refers to holes with a diameter of 45 mm; and Fig. 7 refers to holes with a diameter of 80 mm.
With reference to the drawings, the panel in accordance with
the invention has been generally identified by reference
numeral 1.
Panel 1 comprises support elements such as anchoring members
1a to a wall, a ceiling or others, and a support plate 2 made
of an appropriate material and an appropriate thickness so as
to make it substantially rigid.
The support plate 2 may have a thickness included between few
millimetres and some centimetres, depending on the material
of which it is made: if the support plate 2 is made of sheet
steel or aluminium, a thickness of few millimetres is
sufficient for achieving an appropriate stiffness.
The rigid support plate 2 has a first or main face 2a in
sight and a second face 2b, opposite to the first one and
with said first face defining the plate thickness. In the
case of application of panel 1 to a wall 5, as in Figs. 2 and
3, the second face 2b is the one turned towards wall 5.
It is pointed out that the rigid support plate 2 can be
directly applied to a wall 5, or any reverberating surface,
with the second face 2b merely in contact with or adhering to
said surface.
The rigid support plate 2 advantageously has a plurality of
holes 3 which can have any shape at will and may be of square
or circular conformation, for example.
Holes 3 are preferably through holes, that is passing through
both the first and second faces 2a, 2b, but they may also be
blind holes opening onto the first face 2a alone of the rigid
support plate 2.
Holes 3 have predetermined diameters calculated on the basis
of the sound wave frequencies that are to be most damped down
by panel 1.
If sound waves of a frequency within a narrow band are
provided to be mainly absorbed, holes 3 will have one and the
same size. If, on the contrary, the frequency band within
which panel 1 is to be efficient must be widened, holes of
differentiated diameters are to be provided.
The rigid support plate is completely covered, at least at
its main face 2a, by a flexible sound-vibrating thin
diaphragm or sheet 4. This diaphragm or thin sheet is
provided to be substantially devoid of holes and has gauged
elasticity and thickness.
For instance, the flexible diaphragm or thin sheet 4 is made
of a continuous aluminium film of a 0.2 mm thickness, smooth
on its surface, so that it can be easily washed and
sanitized.
Engagement between the flexible, vibrating and smooth
diaphragm or thin sheet 4 and the underlying rigid and
perforated support plate 2 can take place in any manner.
Preferably, for hygienic reasons, the thin sheet 4 is fixed
to plate 2 in a sealingly adhering manner, for example by
gluing onto the support plate 2 portions free of holes 3.
Operation and use of the acoustic insulation panel 1 are as
follows.
By virtue of the above described structure, each portion of
the flexible diaphragm or thin sheet 4 put in register with
an underlying hole 3 of the rigid support plate 2 behaves
like a resonant or vibrating diaphragm that, if stressed by
sound waves of a frequency corresponding to its resonance
frequency, begins vibrating thereby dissipating part of the
sound energy. This stress causes a loss of force in the
incident energy that will be therefore subtracted from the
subsequent propagation thereby representing an absorption of
sound waves.
The greatest acoustic-absorption frequency depends on the
width of the underlying holes 3 formed in the rigid support
plate 2, thickness and elasticity of the flexible diaphragm
or thin sheet 4 being the same.
Some experimental tests confirm this situation.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 show by way of example how
acoustic-absorption coefficient A of panel 1 varies, based on
the measurement method of the "Kundt tube", depending on the
sound wave frequencies, considered as included between 0 and
2500 Hz and on the hole diameter in the rigid support plate
2.
As well known in acoustics, an acoustic-absorption
coefficient A can theoretically vary from a minimum of zero,
in case of null absorption, to a maximum of one, in case of
full absorption.
In addition, it is known that the measurement method of the
"Kundt tube" uses a tube having a sound wave generator
forming sine waves in the gas within the tube, at one side,
and a piston shiftable along the tube and reflecting sound
waves, at the opposite side.
Applied to the piston is the acoustic insulation element to
be controlled.
In the tube there is a certain amount of powder that tends to
become lumped at the vibration nodes.
By selecting the sound wave frequency and the piston
position, it is possible to see how the effects of the
acoustic insulation element applied to the piston vary and to
identify how the absorption coefficient of the element itself
varies.
Fig. 4 refers to a diaphragm or thin sheet 4 of aluminium, of
a 0.2 mm thickness, applied to circular holes with a diameter
of 20 mm, formed in a rigid support.
The acoustic-absorption coefficient A, included between zero
and one, is shown on the Y axis and the sound wave frequency,
considered as included between 0 and 2500 Hz is shown on the
X axis. It appears that the greatest acoustic-absorption
frequency is included between 2000 and 2500 Hz.
Figs. 5, 6, 7 refer to structures similar to the one shown in
Fig. 4, but having holes with a diameter of 30, 45 and 80 mm,
respectively.
It clearly appears that there is a lowering in those
frequencies for which the maximum acoustic-absorption value
occurs, which frequencies reach values included between zero
and 500 Hz, for holes with a diameter of 80 mm.
Thus, if holes with diameters varying between 20 and 80 mm
are disposed under the diaphragm or thin sheet 4, as in Fig.
1 for example, absorption frequencies are obtained that are
along the whole frequency range, from zero to 2500 Hz.
The panel in accordance with the invention can be used as a
wall or ceiling covering, in contact therewith, and for
creating false ceilings.
Panel 1 can also be applied close to the reverberating
surfaces and not adhering thereto. In this case panel 1 can
be parallel to the reverberating surfaces or oblique relative
to them.
If the thus spaced panel is supported at the edges, it is
also free to vibrate as a whole, in addition to locally at
various points of diaphragm 4. Thus a further resonance
frequency is added, i.e. that of the whole panel taken as a
body.
Panel 1 can also be used as a suspended sound absorber, that
is hanging vertically from ceilings, if holes 3 are through
holes and the rigid support plate 2 is covered with flexible
diaphragms or thin sheets 4 on both its faces 2a, 2b.
In accordance with the invention, a process for adjusting the
resonance frequency of an acoustic insulation panel is also
taught, when said panel is of the type provided with at least
one sound-vibrating diaphragm or thin sheet.
In particular, the process concerns a panel provided with at
least one thin sheet that, depending on its physical and
structural conditions, has a resonance frequency at which
dissipation or absorption of sound energy is maximum.
Based on this process, the resonance or maximum-absorption
frequency of said diaphragm or thin sheet is determined by
engaging the thin sheet in contact with a substantially rigid
support plate provided with a plurality of holes, on the one
hand, and by selecting the hole sizes in the support plate,
on the other hand.
In addition, based on this process, a plurality of resonance
frequencies of said thin sheet applied to the rigid support
plate can be obtained, by forming several holes of different
sizes from each other in the support plate itself.
The invention achieves important advantages.
In fact, a vibrating panel has been conceived that, in
addition to avoiding the drawbacks of the dissipative panels
based on the use of porous or fibrous materials, and the
perforated panels, enables a high acoustic-absorption
coefficient to be obtained at the frequencies of interest by
merely making holes in the support plate having diameters
with sizes the operating efficiency of which has been
experimentally verified.
Therefore, control of the frequency band in which there is
the maximum acoustic-absorption efficiency is achievable by
exclusively varying the hole diameters in the support plate,
the elasticity and thickness features of the flexible
covering thin sheets being unchanged.
The panel is of simple structure, low construction cost and
reduced installation costs.
It is finally to point out that this panel, which can be made
of metal materials and sealingly covered with a smooth
non-porous and non-perforated thin sheet, is of easy washing
and is not inflammable.
Therefore, it lends itself to be used in environments
subjected to frequent sanitizing operations, such as food
industries and hospitals, or to severe fire-prevention safety
regulations, such as stadiums and conference rooms.