Noise reduction systems for aerosol collectors

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are described for reducing noise emitted from active aerosol and bioaerosol collection devices. The system includes a noise reducing muffler between the collection component and the air mover and a noise reducing baffle at the outlet of the air mover. The muffler reduces higher frequency noises emitted from the air mover inlet while the baffle reduces lower frequency noises emitted from the air mover outlet. Placement of the muffler between the collection component and the air mover eliminates the potential for loss of particles to the muffler prior to collection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for reducing noise emitted from aerosol and bioaerosol collectors, the system comprising:
 a noise-reducing muffler positioned between a collection device and an inlet to an air mover; and   a noise-reducing baffle connected to an outlet of the air mover.   
     
     
         2 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein the noise-reducing muffler is adapted to dampen frequencies emitted from the air mover inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein the noise-reducing baffle is adapted to dampen frequencies emitted from the air mover outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein the air mover has acoustic insulation to reduce noise emitted directly from the air mover. 
     
     
         5 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein an internal diameter of a flow path in an inlet of the noise-reducing muffler is substantially similar to an internal diameter of an outlet of the collection device. 
     
     
         6 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein the internal diameter of a flow path in an outlet of the noise-reducing muffler is substantially similar to an internal diameter of air mover inlet. 
     
     
         7 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of a flow path in an inlet of the noise-reducing muffler is substantially similar to a cross-sectional area of an outlet of the collection device. 
     
     
         8 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the noise-reducing muffler is substantially similar to a cross-sectional area of the air mover inlet. 
     
     
         9 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein the noise-reducing baffle is adapted to reduce pressure drop through the baffle. 
     
     
         10 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein an internal diameter of the flow path in the noise-reducing baffle is substantially similar to an internal diameter of the air mover outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the noise-reducing baffle is substantially similar to a cross-sectional area of the air mover outlet. 
     
     
         12 . A device for reducing noise emitted from aerosol and bioaerosol collectors, the device comprising:
 a noise-reducing muffler positioned between a collection device and an inlet to an air mover, and   a noise-reducing baffle connected to an outlet to an air mover;   wherein the noise-reducing muffler and noise-reducing baffle are adapted to be added to existing aerosol collection devices.   
     
     
         13 . The device in  claim 12 , wherein the noise-reducing muffler is adapted to dampen frequencies emitted from the air mover inlet. 
     
     
         14 . The device in  claim 12 , wherein the noise-reducing baffle is adapted to dampen frequencies emitted from the air mover outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The device in  claim 12 , wherein the air mover includes acoustic insulation to reduce noise emitted directly from the air mover. 
     
     
         16 . The device in  claim 12 , wherein the noise-reducing muffler is adapted to provide airtight attachment to an outlet of the collection device and airtight attachment to the inlet of the air mover. 
     
     
         17 . The device in  claim 12 , wherein the noise-reducing baffle is adapted to provide airtight attachment to the outlet of the air mover. 
     
     
         18 . The device in  claim 12 , wherein the noise-reducing muffler and the noise-reducing baffle are adapted such that pressure drop through the two components does not result in a significant increase in pressure drop of the aerosol or bioaerosol collector. 
     
     
         19 . The device in  claim 12 , wherein the noise-reducing muffler and the noise-reducing baffle are adapted such that pressure drop through the two components does not result in a significant decrease in the flowrate of the aerosol or bioaerosol collector. 
     
     
         20 . The device in  claim 12 , wherein the noise-reducing baffle acts as a charging docking station for the aerosol or bioaerosol collector by including a charging socket that connects to a charging port of the collector.