Sound reduction system with sound reduction chamber

Abstract

A sound reduction system is provided. The system is preferably designed to allow air or other fluid to flow through the system while lessening the amount of sound flowing through the system.

1 . A system for reducing the passage of sound from a first location to a second location, the system comprising; 
 a structure of an article of manufacture; and    a housing adjacent the structure and adjacent a fluid flow path, the housing defining a chamber, wherein.    i. the flow path allows fluid flow from the first location to the second location; and    ii. the flow path is adjacent the chamber such that sound can enter the chamber, reflect of one or more walls of the chamber and be canceled.    
   
   
       2 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the housing is substantially entirely formed of plastic.  
   
   
       3 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the housing is attached to the structure and includes an opening aligned with an opening of the structure and seal provides sealing between the housing and the structure at the opening of the housing, the structure or both.  
   
   
       4 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the housing defines a first opening and a second opening along the fluid flow path.  
   
   
       5 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the housing defines a rear wall that has a depth (D) from the entry location into the chamber of 0.106 meters±30%.  
   
   
       6 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the housing has rear walls at multiple depths for canceling sound at various different frequencies.  
   
   
       7 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the chamber is adjacent to the fluid flow path such that first sound from the external environment enters the chamber, is reflected off of a rear wall of the chamber and cancels other second sound entering the chamber such that the first and second sound do not continue along the fluid flow path, the second sound having a wavelength within 6 cm of the first sound, the rear wall being a distance of within 4 cm of a ¼ of the wavelength of the first and/or second sound from a central area of an opening that provides fluid communication to the passenger compartment.  
   
   
       8 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the structure is part of an automotive vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . A system as in  claim 8  wherein the structure is a pillar of the automotive vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . A system for reducing the passage of sound from a first location to a second location, the system comprising: 
 a structure of an automotive vehicle, the structure having one or more openings for providing fluid communication between an internal cabin of an automotive vehicle and an external environment surrounding the vehicle;    an housing associated with the structure of the automotive vehicle, wherein:    i. the housing substantially surrounds a chamber; and    ii. the housing includes one or more openings for providing fluid communication between the internal cabin of the automotive vehicle and the external environment surrounding the vehicle; and    iii. sound enters the housing through the one or more openings of the housing and is reflected off one or more walls defining the chamber thereby canceling at least a portion of the sound.    
   
   
       11 . A system as in  claim 10  wherein the housing is formed substantially entirely of plastic.  
   
   
       12 . A system as in  claim 10  wherein the structure is a pillar of an automotive vehicle.  
   
   
       13 . A system as in  claim 10  wherein the housing includes a first opening in fluid communication with the chamber and a second opening.  
   
   
       14 . A system as in  claim 13  wherein the chamber is located beside a path from the first opening to the second opening.  
   
   
       15 . A system as in  claim 14  wherein the chamber is located closer to a distal end of the housing relative to both the first and second openings.  
   
   
       16 . A system as in  claim 10  wherein an annular seal extends about a periphery of the housing.  
   
   
       17 . A system as in  claim 16  wherein the seal is formed of a heat activatable material that foams and cures upon exposure to elevated temperatures.  
   
   
       18 . A system for reducing the passage of sound from a first location to a second location, the system comprising: 
 a structure of an automotive vehicle, the structure having one or more openings for providing fluid communication between an internal cabin of an automotive vehicle and an external environment surrounding the vehicle, wherein the structure of the automotive vehicle is a pillar;    an housing associated with the structure of the automotive vehicle, wherein:    i. the housing substantially surrounds a chamber; and    ii. the housing includes one or more openings for providing fluid communication between the internal cabin of the automotive vehicle and the external environment surrounding the vehicle;    iii. sound enters the housing through the one or more openings of the housing and is reflected off one or more walls defining the chamber thereby canceling at least a portion of the sound; and    iv. the chamber is adjacent to a fluid flow path between the first and second openings such that first sound from the external environment enters the chamber, is reflected off of a rear wall of the chamber and cancels other second sound entering the chamber such that the first and second sound do not continue along the fluid flow path, the second sound having a wavelength within 6 cm of the first sound, the rear wall being a distance of within 4 cm of a ¼ of the wavelength of the first and/or second sound from a central area of an opening that provides fluid communication to the passenger compartment.    
   
   
       19 . A system as in  claim 18  wherein the housing is substantially entirely formed of plastic.  
   
   
       20 . A system as in  claim 18  wherein an annular seal extends about a periphery of the housing.