Silencer duct with self-supporting acoustic absorbing member

Abstract

A silencer duct includes at least one element including a three-dimensional (3D) chamber having a portion that is at least one of non-vertical or non-linear. An acoustic absorbing member is self-supporting such that is may be positioned within the portion to substantially fill the portion, but does not sag or droop over time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A silencer duct, comprising:
 at least one element including a three-dimensional (3D) chamber having a portion that is at least one of non-vertical or non-linear; and   an acoustic absorbing member positioned within the portion, the acoustic absorbing member substantially filling the portion and being self-supporting.   
     
     
         2 . The silencer duct of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one element includes:
 an outer element including a duct body and a first perforated wall extending within the duct body and substantially parallel to an interior surface of the duct body;   a silencer element extending axially through the outer element, the silencer element including a second perforated wall,   wherein the portion is part of at least one of the outer element and the silencer element, and   wherein the acoustic absorbing member is positioned in the portion adjacent the perforated wall thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The silencer duct of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic absorbing member includes at least one of: a wire mesh, foam, fiber, and a gel. 
     
     
         4 . The silencer duct of  claim 3 , wherein the foam includes a spray foam. 
     
     
         5 . The silencer duct of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic absorbing member includes at least one of mineral wool, rock wool and fiberglass, and a structural support for supporting the at least one of mineral wool, rock wool and fiberglass. 
     
     
         6 . The silencer duct of  claim 5 , wherein the structural support is adhered to the at least one of the mineral wool, rock wool and fiberglass. 
     
     
         7 . The silencer duct of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic absorbing member includes a spray application material that hardens in place. 
     
     
         8 . The silencer duct of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of at least one of the outer element and the silencer element are made of plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The silencer duct of  claim 1 , wherein the portion has is an elongated S-shape. 
     
     
         10 . The silencer duct of  claim 1 , wherein the portion includes substantially all of the 3D chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A turbomachine inlet, comprising:
 an intake frame forming a working fluid flow, the intake frame operatively coupled to a compressor; and   a silencer duct positioned within the intake frame, the silencer duct including:   at least one element including a three-dimensional chamber having a portion that is at least one of non-vertical or non-linear; and   an acoustic absorbing member positioned within the portion, the acoustic absorbing member substantially filling the portion and being self-supporting.   
     
     
         12 . The turbomachine inlet of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one element includes:
 an outer element including a duct body and a first perforated wall extending within the duct body and substantially parallel to an interior surface of the duct body;   a silencer element extending axially through the outer element, the silencer element including a second perforated wall,   wherein the portion is part of at least one of the outer element and the silencer element, and   wherein the acoustic absorbing member is positioned in the portion adjacent the perforated wall thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The turbomachine inlet of  claim 11 , wherein the acoustic absorbing member includes at least one of: a wire mesh, foam, fiber, and a gel. 
     
     
         14 . The turbomachine inlet of  claim 13 , wherein the foam includes a spray foam. 
     
     
         15 . The turbomachine inlet of  claim 11 , wherein the acoustic absorbing member includes at least one of mineral wool, rock wool and fiberglass, and a structural support for supporting the at least one of mineral wool, rock wool and fiberglass. 
     
     
         16 . The turbomachine inlet of  claim 15 , wherein the structural support is adhered to the at least one of the mineral wool, rock wool and fiberglass. 
     
     
         17 . The turbomachine inlet of  claim 11 , wherein the acoustic absorbing member includes a spray application material that hardens in place. 
     
     
         18 . The turbomachine inlet of  claim 11 , wherein at least part of at least one of the outer element and the silencer element are made of plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The turbomachine inlet of  claim 11 , wherein the portion has is an elongated S-shape. 
     
     
         20 . The turbomachine inlet of  claim 11 , wherein the portion includes substantially all of the 3D chamber.