A pilot study on improving the absorptivity of a thick microperforated panel absorber

Microperforated panel (MPP) absorbers are promising as a basis for the next-generation of sound absorbing materials. MPPs are typically made of a thin metal or plastic panel. However, thin limp panels are generally not suitable as an interior finish of room walls because they do not have sufficient strength, which prevents practical application of MPPs as an interior finish of room walls. In order to overcome the lack of appropriate strength required for room walls, it is possible to make an MPP out of a thick panel. However, thick MPPs are usually not efficient because the resistance and/or reactance become too high. In this study, trial production of thick MPPs and measurement of their normal absorption coefficients were carried out. Results show that efficient absorption can be given with a thick MPP by using a tapered perforation.     

A numerical study of double-leaf microperforated panel absorbers

Microperforated panel (MPP) absorbers are promising as a basis for the next-generation of sound absorbing materials. Typically, they are backed by an air-cavity in front of a rigid wall such as a ceiling or another interior surface of a room. Indeed, to be effective, MPP absorbers require the Helmholtz-type resonance formed with the backing cavity. Towards the creation of an efficient sound-absorbing structure with MPPs alone, the acoustical properties of a structure composed of two parallel MPPs with an air-cavity between them and no rigid backing is studied numerically. In this double-leaf MPP (DLMPP) structure, the rear leaf (i.e., the MPP remote from the incident sound) plays the role of the backing wall in the conventional setting and causes resonance-type absorption. Moreover, since a DLMPP can work efficiently as an absorber for sound incidence from both sides, it can be used efficiently as a space absorber, e.g., as a suspended absorber or as a sound absorbing panel. The sound absorption characteristics of the double-leaf MPP are analysed theoretically for a normally incident plane wave. The effects of various control parameters are discussed through a numerical parametric study. The absorption mechanisms and a possible design principle are discussed also. It is predicted that: (1) that a resonance absorption, similar to that in conventional type MPP absorbers, appears at medium-to-high frequencies and (2) that considerable “additional” absorption can be obtained at low frequencies. This low-frequency absorption is similar to that of a double-leaf permeable membrane and can be an advantage compared with the conventional type of MPP arrangement.     

Optimization of multiple-layer microperforated panels by simulated annealing

Sound absorption by microperforated panels (MPP) has received increasing attention the past years as an alternative to conventional porous absorbers in applications with special cleanliness and health requirements. The absorption curve of an MPP depends on four parameters: the holes diameter, the panel thickness, the perforation ratio, and the thickness of the air cavity between the panel and an impervious wall. It is possible to find a proper combination of these parameters that provides an MPP absorbing in one octave band or two, within the frequency range of interest for noise control applications. However, when a wider absorption frequency band is required, it is necessary to design multiple-layer MPP (ML-MPP). The design of an N-layers MPP depends on 4N parameters. Consequently, the tuning of an optimal ML-MPP by exhaustive search within a prescribed frequency band becomes impractical. Therefore, simulated annealing is proposed in this paper as a tool to solve the optimization problem of finding the best combination of the constitutive parameters of an ML-MPP providing the maximum average absorption within a prescribed frequency band.     

Numerical analyses of the sound absorption of three-dimensional MPP space sound absorbers

Because microperforated panels (MPPs) can provide wide-band sound absorption without fibrous and porous materials, they are recognized as next-generation absorption materials. The fundamental absorbing mechanism is Helmholtz-resonance absorption due to the perforations and air-back cavity. Consequently, MPPs are usually placed in front of rigid-back walls. However, one of the authors has proposed MPP space sound absorbers without backing structures. Among these space absorbers, cylindrical MPP space absorbers and rectangular MPP space absorbers are advantageous due to their design flexibility and easy-to-use properties. Although their performances have been investigated experimentally, it is necessary to predict their absorption characteristics to develop improved shapes and efficient designs. Herein their absorption characteristics are numerically predicted using the two-dimensional boundary element method, and the applicability of a numerical method as a design tool to sufficiently predict the performance of MPP space absorbers is discussed.     

Improved sound absorption performance of three-dimensional MPP space sound absorbers by filling with porous materials

Because microperforated panels (MPPs), which can be made from various materials, provide wide-band sound absorption, they are recognized as one of the next-generation absorption materials. Although MPPs are typically placed in front of rigid walls, MPP space sound absorbers without a backing structure, including three-dimensional cylindrical MPP space absorbers (CMSAs) and rectangular MPP space absorbers (RMSAs), are proposed to extend their design flexibility and easy-to-use properties. On the other hand, improving the absorption performance by filling the back cavity of typical MPP absorbers with porous materials has been shown theoretically, and three-dimensional MPP space absorbers should display similar improvements. Herein the effects of porous materials inserted into the cavities of CMSAs and RMSAs are experimentally investigated and a numerical prediction method using the two-dimensional boundary element method is proposed. Consequently, CMSAs and RMSAs with improved absorption performances are illustrated based on the experimental results, and the applicability of the proposed prediction method as a design tool is confirmed by comparing the experimental and numerical results.     

A note on the relationship between the sound absorption by microperforated panels and panel/membrane-type absorbers

The sound absorption mechanism of microperforated panel (MPP) absorbers and panel/membrane-type absorbers is both based on a certain resonance system and utilising its resonance effect. However, the relationship between the absorption mechanisms of MPPs and panel/membrane-type absorbers has not been discussed: it is not clarified whether they can occur simultaneously, or how they interfere each other. On the other hand, in a previous study there is an attempt to cause both absorption mechanisms simultaneously. In this paper, using an electro-acoustical equivalent circuit model, their sound absorption mechanisms and their relationship are discussed. In this study, three cases are considered: (1) the case in which only the mass reactance of the MPP is considered, (2) the case in which the losses of the panel is considered, and (3) the case in which the sound absorption of the back wall surface is considered. The results suggest that the microperforated panel absorption, which is Helmhotz-type resonance, and the panel/membrane-type absorption can be regarded as phenomena of the same kind which can be smoothly transformed into each other by changing a parameter, and can be consistently modelled and comprehensively discussed.     

Sound absorption characteristics of a double-leaf structure with an MPP and a permeable membrane

As for the sound absorbing system using an MPP (microperforated panel), a double-leaf MPP sound absorber has been studied so far. However, this structure uses two MPPs, which are still expensive, and is disadvantageous when its cost is concerned. Therefore, it is considered that it can be advantageous if one of the leaves can be replaced with a less expensive material keeping high sound absorption performance. In this study, the possibility of producing a useful sound absorbing structure with an MPP and a permeable membrane as an alternative less expensive material is examined. The acoustic properties of this MPP and permeable membrane combination absorber are analysed theoretically with a Helmholtz integral formulation. The absorption performance and mechanism are discussed through the numerical examples. Also, the effect of a honeycomb in the air cavity, which is to be used for reinforcing the structure, is also discussed through a theoretical analysis.     

Relationship between Helmholtz-resonance absorption and panel-type absorption in finite flexible microperforated-panel absorbers

Microperforated panels (MPPs) can provide wide-band absorption without fibrous and porous materials and are recognized as next-generation absorption materials. Although the fundamental absorbing mechanism of an MPP absorber is Helmholtz-resonance absorption, sound-induced vibration of an MPP itself can affects the absorption characteristics. There have been some studies considering the effects of the sound-induced vibration and there even is a proposal to widen the absorption bandwidth by positively utilizing the vibration of an MPP itself. On the other hand, in a previous study, the relationship between MPP absorbers and panel-type absorbers was investigated with infinite theory. However, the relationship between Helmholtz-resonance absorption and panel-type absorption in finite flexible MPP absorbers has not been clarified. Herein, from the viewpoint of an absorption-characteristics transition with the perforation ratio, the relationship between Helmholtz-resonance absorption and panel-type absorption including the effects of eigen-mode vibrations of the panel is theoretically and experimentally investigated. The analytical model considers a finite flexible MPP supported in a circular duct, and the predicted data for the absorption coefficient under normal incidence is validated by an experiment using an acoustic tube. From this investigation, it is found that panel-type absorption due to eigen-mode vibrations of the panel occurs independently from Helmholtz-resonance absorption, while panel-type absorption due to a mass-spring resonance of a panel and a back cavity has a trade-off relationship with Helmholtz-resonance absorption with respect to the perforation ratio.     

Improvement of sound absorption characteristics under low frequency for micro-perforated panel absorbers using super-aligned carbon nanotube arrays

Super-aligned carbon nanotube (SACNT) arrays are grown on the surface of micro perforated panel (MPP) in the hope of improving the acoustic performance of MPP absorbers by virtue of their unique properties. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that SACNT arrays did not block the perforations of MPPs or changed the perforation diameter due to their “super-aligned” nature, although MPPs are thickened. The absorption effect of SACNT arrays which are of the same and different lengths with different incident side on MPP absorbers are investigated, and standing wave tube method is used to determine the normal sound absorption coefficient. Results show that both of the lengths of SACNT arrays and the incident side have effects on the sound absorption performance of MPP absorbers. And generally SACNT arrays help to improve the sound absorption capacity of MPP absorbers in low-frequency regions only when the SACNT arrays surface is the incident side. SACNT arrays decrease absorption performance of MPP absorbers when the MPP surface is used as the incident side. Moreover, SACNT arrays are found to increase the acoustic ability of MPP absorbers with the same structure parameters monotonically at lengths up to 600 μm in the condition that the SACNT arrays surface is used as the incident side.     

Experimental study on sound absorption performance of microperforated panel with membrane cell

Microperforated panel (MPP) absorbers have been widely used in noise reduction and are regarded as a promising alternative to the traditional porous materials. However, the absorption bandwidth of a single-layer MPP is insufficient to compete with the porous materials. In order to improve the sound absorption ability of the single-layer MPP, a composite MPP sound absorber with membrane cells (MPPM) is introduced. Sound absorption properties of the MPPM are studied by the impedance tube experiment. Results show that the membranes have a significant influence on the sound impedance. The sound absorption performance of MPPM gradually increases with the increase of the membrane area. The single-layer MPP with some small area membrane cells may have the same effect and single large area membranes. By adjusting the size of the membrane cells, one can implement a sound absorber with a wider absorption bandwidth and higher absorption peaks than the single-layer MPP.     

Sound absorption of microperforated panel mounted with helmholtz resonators

Microperforated panel (MPP) absorbers have been widely used in noise reduction and are regarded as a promising alternative to the traditional porous materials. However, the absorption bandwidth of a single-layer MPP is insufficient to compete with the porous materials. In order to improve the sound absorption ability of the single-layer MPP, MPP mounted with Helmholtz resonators (MPPHR) is introduced. Based on the MPP, Helmholtz resonators theory and electro-acoustical equivalent circuit principle, sound absorption properties of MPPHR are studied. Simulation and experimental results show that MPPHR have two peak frequencies and one anti-resonant frequency. The low-frequency peak is dependent on the Helmholtz resonators, while the high frequency peak is close to the peak of the single-layer MPP. The low-frequency sound absorption peaks move to low frequency with the neck length and the volume of Helmholtz resonators increasing. The high-frequency sound absorption peaks move to high frequency with the volume of Helmholtz resonators cavity increasing. Multiple Helmholtz resonator parallel MPP structure can provide more sound absorption than single MPPHR at low frequency range due to the introduction of more additional sound absorption peaks.     

穿纤维微穿孔板吸声系数的有限元仿真

为拓宽微穿孔板的吸声频带,该文用有限元算法建立了典型微穿孔板和穿入不同数量金属纤维的微穿孔板模型,研究了两种微穿孔板的吸声系数、声阻抗和微孔内法向质点速度的空间分布,并进行了试验验证。有限元仿真和试验数据表明:穿入金属纤维可以拓宽微穿孔板的吸声频带,吸声系数也随纤维根数的增加而下降;吸声系数仿真结果与试验结果趋势一致,仿真模型可以有效模拟穿入纤维前后微穿孔板的吸声特性;穿入金属纤维导致黏滞效应引起的低质点速度区域增大,声阻增加,引起吸声系数的降低,而声抗变化不大。研究发现,有限元仿真方法适用于结构相对复杂的微穿孔结构的声学建模,能直观地体现微孔复杂结构的影响,值得继续深入研究和工程应用。     

A theoretical study on the effect of a permeable membrane in the air cavity of a double-leaf microperforated panel space sound absorber

A double-leaf microperforated panel absorber (DLMPP) is composed of a two microperforated panel (MPP) with a air cavity in-between, and without any backing structure. It shows a Helmholtz-type resonance peak absorption and additional low frequency absorption, therefore it can be used as a wideband space sound absorber. In this study, a theoretical study is made to examine the effect of a permeable membrane inside the air-cavity. Permeable membranes are studied in our previous studies and proved to be effective to improve the sound absorption performance of various type MPP sound absorbers. We investigate the absorption characteristics of a DLMPP with a permeable membrane in the cavity through numerical examples, and also studied the effect of honeycomb in the cavity of the same sound absorption structure.     

Sound insulation characteristics of multi-layer structures with a microperforated panel

Multi-layer structures have issues with sound insulation at low and mid-frequencies due to mass-air-mass resonance. The purpose of this study is to investigate improvements to the sound insulation performance of multi-layer structures using a microperforated panel (MPP), which can absorb well over a wide frequency range. Although MPPs have been investigated over the last several decades, almost all studies have been conducted in terms of sound absorption. Herein the sound transmission loss of multi-layer structures with flexible MPPs of infinite extent is theoretically investigated. The calculation is based on the wave equation and the equation of panel vibration including the effect of perforation of the panel. Additionally to consider a more realistic sound insulation performance, the effect of the directional distribution of the incident energy in a reverberation chamber is taken into account. Experiments are conducted using an acoustic tube to validate the calculated results and the reverberation chamber method to verify the actual sound insulation characteristics. Both experiments agree well with the theoretically calculated perforation effects. Consequently, MMPs are confirmed to improve the deterioration of sound insulation performance due to mass-air-mass resonance of multi-layer structures.     

Optimising the absorption and transmission properties of aircraft microperforated panels

A method for evaluating the absorption and transmission performances of multi-layer micro-perforated structures whose facings are excited by different noise sources is described here. It is applied to determine if the acoustical performances of a number of Micro-Perforated Panels (MPPs), optimised both in absorption and transmission, exceed those of typical aircraft panels undergoing internal and external acoustic excitations. A fully-coupled modal formulation is presented that accounts for the effects of the sub-structure volumetric resonances on the acoustical properties of the partitions. It is validated against full-scale measurements performed with a pressure–velocity probe and a laser vibrometer to estimate the absorption and transmission coefficients of single- and double-layer micro-perforated partitions. The model is used to optimise the sound power dissipated by three layouts obtained from a typical aircraft partition by micro-perforating the trim panel (MPP–Porous–Panel), removing the fibreglass material (MPP–Cavity–Panel) and adding a second MPP inside the separating cavity (MPP–MPP–Panel). It is concluded that the MPP–Porous–Panel and MPP–MPP–Panel layouts provide excess interior noise reduction above 1.8 kHz and 1.2 kHz respectively, whereas the MPP–Cavity–Panel is not acoustically more efficient than a typical aircraft panel.     

On the variations of acoustic absorption peak with particle velocity in micro-perforated panels at high level of excitation

The acoustic behavior of micro-perforated panels (MPP) is studied theoretically and experimentally at high level of pressure excitation. A model based on Forchheimer's regime of flow velocity in the perforations is proposed. This model is valid at relatively high Reynolds numbers and low Mach numbers. The experimental method consists in measuring the acoustical pressure at three different positions in an impedance tube, the two measurement positions usually considered in an impedance tube and one measurement in the vicinity of the rear surface of the MPP. The impedance tube is equipped with a pressure driver instead of the usual loudspeaker and capable of delivering a high sound pressure level up to 160 dB. MPP specimens made out of steel, dural and polypropylene were tested. Measurements using random noise or sinusoidal excitation in a frequency range between 200 and 1600 Hz were carried out on MPPs backed by air cavities. It was observed that the maximum of absorption can be a positive or a negative function of the flow velocity in the perforations. This suggests the existence of a maximum of absorption as a function of flow velocity. This behavior was predicted by the model and confirmed experimentally.     

Estimation of effective parameters for microperforated panel absorbers and applications

Microperforated panel absorbers are used in many noise control applications as an alternative to fibrous materials. In the past, perforations were circular in shape. However, perforations are now often pressed or cut into the metal. They are non-circular and are irregular shaped and are difficult to model. A nonlinear least squares data-fitting algorithm is utilized to estimate geometric parameters from measured absorption coefficient data. The circular perforation model proposed by Maa is used in the algorithm. The estimated geometric parameters are then used to calculate transfer impedance with good agreement compared to measured data. The procedure is then used to aid in understanding the effect of manufacturing variations, and dust and fluid contamination on the performance of microperforated panel absorbers.     

穿孔率和穿孔直径耦合下微穿孔板吸声体整体吸声性能

微穿孔板几何参数的耦合性及其对整体吸声性能的影响,对于设计微穿孔板吸声体和优化其工作性能具有指导作用。根据微穿孔板吸声体基本理论,研究了穿孔率和穿孔直径双参数耦合作用下微穿孔板吸声体的整体吸声性能。穿孔率和穿孔直径之间的耦合性与其本身取值密切相关,而与板厚和板后腔深无明显关系;在穿孔率-穿孔直径参数域上,吸声体存在吸声系数为1.0的吸收峰,整体吸声性能随穿孔率或穿孔直径从小到大变化,呈现出先增强后减弱的变化趋势。该结论能够准确解释微穿孔板受粉尘污染后吸声性能的变化规律和演变路径。论文的工作为设计微穿孔板吸声体提供了一种新的理论依据和实施方法。      

阻尼耦合双层微穿孔板吸声体研究

提出并研究一种利用两板间微缝进行阻尼耦合的双层微穿孔板(DMPP)吸声体。该吸声体在两层微穿孔板(MPP)之间形成一个宽度小于1mm的微缝,因此其阻尼不仅可由板上的微穿孔提供,还可由两板之间形成的微缝提供。采用声电类比法建立了DMPP转移阻抗的理论模型,并进行实验验证,结果表明理论计算结果与实验吻合较好。然后利用建立的理论模型,对单层MPP和DMPP吸声体的吸声性能进行了对比研究,结果表明,相比于单层MPP,DMPP可以利用微缝提供的阻尼显著改善吸声性能,同时减少实际板厚。最后,对DMPP吸声体的吸声性能及其几何参数的关系进行研究,结果表明,当保持其它结构参数不变时,微缝宽度对DMPP吸声系数的提高存在一个最优值,超过或低于此值会导致吸声系数下降。     

On the acoustic properties of parallel arrangement of multiple micro-perforated panel absorbers with different cavity depths

The acoustic properties of a compound micro-perforated panel (MPP) absorber array are investigated. The absorber array consists of three parallel-arranged MPP absorbers with different cavity depths. A finite element procedure is used to simulate its acoustic behaviors under normal incidence. Experimental studies are carried out to verify the numerical simulations. Due to different reactance matching conditions in the absorber array, strong local resonance occurs and the corresponding local resonance absorption dominates. Compared with single MPP absorber, the absorber array requires lower acoustic resistance for good absorption performance, and the resonance frequencies shift due to inter-resonator interactions. The different acoustic resistance requirement is explained by considering the reduced effective perforation rate of the MPP in the absorber array. The performance of the absorber array varies with the sizes and spatial arrangement of the component absorbers. When the distance between component absorbers is larger than a quarter-wavelength, the above-mentioned parallel absorption mechanism diminishes. In the experimental study, the normal incidence absorption coefficients of a prototype MPP absorber array are tested. The measured results compare well with the numerical predictions. The experimental study also shows that although other absorption mechanisms may exist, dissipation by the MPP is dominant in the MPP absorber array.