Vibration analysis and measurement of a gradient coil insert in a 4 T MRI

High speed switching of current in gradient coils within high magnetic field strength Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners may result in high acoustic sound pressure levels in and around these machines. Many studies have already been conducted to characterize the sound field in and around MRIs and various methods have been investigated to attenuate the noise generated. To characterize the vibration properties of the gradient coil, a modified Finite Element (FE) model was developed according to the dimensional design of an available gradient coil insert and the concentration of the copper windings in the coil. The finite element analysis results were verified through experimental modal testing of the same gradient coil in a free-free state (no boundary constraints). Comparisons show that the FE model predicts the vibration properties extremely accurately. Based on the verified FE model, boundary conditions (supports) were added to the model to simulate the operating condition when the gradient coil insert is in place in an MRI machine. Vibration analysis results from the FE model were again verified through experimental vibration testing with the gradient coil insert installed in a 4 T MRI and excited using swept sinusoidal time waveforms. Through a comparison of the vibration signals generated it was found that the vibration resonances, both from the FE model and the experimental vibration testing, shift to higher frequencies after the boundary constraints were applied, as was expected. The predicted vibration response was very close to that measured from the gradient coil insert in operation. The FE modeling procedure that has been developed could easily be used to accurately predict the vibration properties of other gradient coil designs. Furthermore, the vibration analysis results from the FE model could be used in acoustic noise analysis to predict the sound pressure level produced by different types of input current pulse sequences.     

Making MRI quieter

We have mitigated acoustic noise in a 1.5 T cylindrical MRI scanner equipped with epoxy-potted, shielded gradients. It has been widely assumed that MRI acoustic noise comes overwhelmingly from vibrations of the gradient assembly. However, with vibration-isolated gradients contained in an airtight enclosure, we found the primary sources of acoustic noise to be eddy-current-induced vibrations of metal structures such as the cryostat inner bore and the rf body coil. We have elucidated the relative strengths of source-pathways of acoustic noise and assembled a reduced-acoustic-noise demonstration MRI system. This scanner employed a number of acoustic noise reduction measures including a vacuum enclosure of a vibrationally isolated gradient assembly, a low-eddy-current rf coil and a non-conducting inner bore cryostat. The demonstration scanner reduced, by about 20 dBA, the acoustic noise levels in the patient bore to 85 dBA and below for several typical noisy pulse sequences. The noise level standing near the patient bore is 71 dBA and below. We have applied Statistical Energy Analysis to develop a vibroacoustic model of the MR system. Our model includes vibrational sources and acoustic pathways to predict acoustic noise and provides a good spectral match above 400 Hz to experimentally measured sound levels. This tool enables us to factor acoustics into the design parameters of new MRI systems.     

船用三通调节阀流-固耦合噪声数值模拟

针对船用PN10DN32三通调节阀噪声声压频谱、声指向性等声学特性规律不明确,噪声声压级是否满足使用要求的问题,基于流-固耦合理论,同时考虑流-固耦合面及流体域内的脉动声学激励源,开展阀门噪声数值模拟研究。分别对三通调节阀在80%及60%开度阀外1 m处的噪声进行数值模拟,分析研究噪声声压频谱特性及声指向性规律。结果表明：80%及60%开度下的噪声声压级分别为49.14 dB(A)、50.79 dB(A),均小于60 d B(A)的噪声限制,满足使用要求。该文为船用三通调节阀噪声数值模拟提供了理论及方法参考。     

Automotive panel noise contribution modeling based on finite element and measured structural-acoustic spectra

The radiated noise contributions of automotive body panels to the interior sound pressure levels are modeled using an approximate spectral formulation that applies the theoretical interior acoustic sensitivity terms derived from a finite element model and measured spatial-averaged structural-acoustic spectra. The finite element calculation is validated by comparison to a set of experimental acoustic transfer functions. A measurement set-up for the sound intensity and structural-acoustic response is applied to acquire the cross and auto power spectra needed to predict the relative mean-squared velocity term of each control plane near the panel surface, and to obtain the individual panel contribution function. The proposed approach also computes the noise spectra in 1/12 octave band form at selected positions in the passenger compartment, which matches well with the overall experimental results. Through an actual passenger car application, the approximate computational scheme is proven to be generally quite robust and effective for analyzing higher frequency interior noise problems.     

结合振动控制的柱面纵向梯度线圈目标场设计方法

在磁共振成像系统的工作过程中,噪声主要是由梯度线圈系统产生的.梯度线圈置于高均匀度超导磁体的室温孔内,并工作于脉冲状态,频繁的开启和关闭会使线圈中电流急剧随时间变化,变化的电流导致线圈受到变化的洛伦兹力作用,从而产生振动,这种高频振动所发出的噪声会对病人产生刺激,严重时甚至会对病人的听觉神经产生损伤.梯度场的场强越强、切换速度越快,所产生的噪声就越大.降低噪声的最根本方法是通过有效的梯度线圈设计,降低洛伦兹力的空间分布.本文针对纵向梯度线圈,在原经典目标场设计方法基础上,加入对振动参量,从而能够有效地降低线圈工作时所产生的噪声.其具体方法是将振动控制函数作为约束条件,通过目标场法建立数学模型,利用MATLAB进行电磁验算.计算结果表明,所提数学模型可有效地降低线圈振动的最大振幅.     

Structural-borne acoustics analysis and multi-objective optimization by using panel acoustic participation and response surface methodology

This paper is aimed to investigate the structural-borne acoustics analysis and multi-objective optimization of an enclosed box structure by using the panel acoustic participation (PAP) and response surface methodology (RSM). The acoustic frequency response function is applied to achieve the critical frequency of interest under each excitation. The PAP analysis is then carried out at all critical frequencies and the remarkable acoustic panels are identified. The correlation coefficient matrix method is proposed for reselecting and grouping the positions of acoustic panels identified to paste damping layer to control noise. With the help of faced central composite design, an efficient set of sample points are generated and then the second-order polynomial functions of sound pressure response at each critical frequency are computed and verified by the adjusted coefficient of multiple determination. The functional relationships between sound pressure responses and the thicknesses of damping layers are investigated, and multi-objective optimization of the thicknesses of damping layers is developed. The results indicate that, by using the PAP and RSM, the structural-borne acoustics at critical frequencies are calculated conveniently and controlled effectively. The optimization process of the explicit optimization model proposed in this paper is simple and the computational time is saved.     

The influence of turbulence on noise propagation from a point source above a flat ground surface

The presence of turbulence in the atmosphere affects the interaction between an acoustic wave and the ground surface. The noise attenuation by the ground in the presence of atmospheric turbulence is smaller than in non-turbulent atmosphere.A simple engineering model of noise propagation above a flat ground surface, for stationary and moving point sources, has been proposed. The model takes into account the air absorption and ground effect in the presence of turbulence.As well as parameters for type of ground and air absorption, the model introduces two adjustable parameters which must be deduced from in situ measurements at two ranges or two heights. The model’s free parameters have been obtained as a function of the resultant sound speed gradient on the basis of the field measurements performed for a stationary noise source. Also, using field data for a vehicle moving at steady speeds up to 100 km/h, the model has been verified for a moving point source.     

Noise transmission from a curved panel into a cylindrical enclosure: analysis of structural acoustic coupling

Much of the research on sound transmission through the aircraft fuselage into the interior of aircraft has considered coupling of the entire cylinder to the acoustic modes of the enclosure. Yet, much of the work on structural acoustic control of sound radiation has focused on reducing sound radiation from individual panels into an acoustic space. Research by the authors seeks to bridge this gap by considering the transmission of sound from individual panels on the fuselage to the interior of the aircraft. As part of this research, an analytical model of a curved panel, with attached piezoelectric actuators, subjected to a static pressure load was previously developed. In the present work, the analytical model is extended to consider the coupling of a curved panel to the interior acoustics of a rigid-walled cylinder. Insight gained from an accurate analytical model of the dynamics of the noise transmission from the curved panels of the fuselage into the cylindrical enclosure of an aircraft is essential to the development of feedback control systems for the control of stochastic inputs, such as turbulent boundary layer excitation. The criteria for maximal structural acoustic coupling between the modes of the curved panel and the modes of the cylindrical enclosure are studied. For panels with aspect ratios typical of those found in aircraft, results indicate that predominately axial structural modes couple most efficiently to the acoustic modes of the enclosure. The effects of the position of the curved panel on the cylinder are also studied. Structural acoustic coupling is found to not be significantly affected by varying panel position. The impact of the findings of this study on structural acoustic control design is discussed.     

Experimental verification of the acoustic performance of diffusive roadside noise barriers

The acoustic performance of pairs of diffusive roadside barriers is tested experimentally on a 1:10 scale model, and compared to that of more traditional specularly reflecting barriers. Significant attenuation benefits are detected not only in the shadow zone behind the barriers, but also in the unprotected zone immediately above the barriers, thus proving that diffusive traffic faces of the barriers may effectively help in counteracting multiple reflection effects. In addition, a radiosity-based theoretical model developed for the evaluation of the sound field behind pairs of diffusive noise barriers is described, and its ability to predict the extra SPL attenuation deriving from the replacement of geometrically reflecting barriers with diffusely reflecting barriers is verified.     

Acoustic noise during functional magnetic resonance imaging

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) enables sites of brain activation to be localized in human subjects. For studies of the auditory system, acoustic noise generated during fMRI can interfere with assessments of this activation by introducing uncontrolled extraneous sounds. As a first step toward reducing the noise during fMRI, this paper describes the temporal and spectral characteristics of the noise present under typical fMRI study conditions for two imagers with different static magnetic field strengths. Peak noise levels were 123 and 138 dB re 20 microPa in a 1.5-tesla (T) and a 3-T imager, respectively. The noise spectrum (calculated over a 10-ms window coinciding with the highest-amplitude noise) showed a prominent maximum at 1 kHz for the 1.5-T imager (115 dB SPL) and at 1.4 kHz for the 3-T imager (131 dB SPL). The frequency content and timing of the most intense noise components indicated that the noise was primarily attributable to the readout gradients in the imaging pulse sequence. The noise persisted above background levels for 300-500 ms after gradient activity ceased, indicating that resonating structures in the imager or noise reverberating in the imager room were also factors. The gradient noise waveform was highly repeatable. In addition, the coolant pump for the imager's permanent magnet and the room air-handling system were sources of ongoing noise lower in both level and frequency than gradient coil noise. Knowledge of the sources and characteristics of the noise enabled the examination of general approaches to noise control that could be applied to reduce the unwanted noise during fMRI sessions.     

SEA and contribution analysis for interior noise of a high speed train

This paper presents a detailed Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) and contribution analysis of the interior noise of a high-speed train through extensive simulations and measurements. The SEA model was developed based on the actual geometrical parameters of a benchmark high-speed coach. Sound transmission loss levels of the structural components of the car body, which are required in the SEA model, were tested in a dedicated acoustic laboratory following international standard ISO 140-3:1995. Modal densities of these structural components were derived from measured frequency response functions using the modal counting method. Damping loss factors were obtained using the half-power bandwidth method and the vibration attenuation method. By considering the relationship between sound radiation and power transmission, coupling loss factors between structures and cavities were estimated. Source inputs to the SEA model were derived from field experiment data. Interior noise due to those sources was predicted using the SEA model and the prediction was generally in good agreement with measurement. Contribution analysis was then performed using this validated model through parametric study, and this analysis was further examined experimentally. In conclusion, for the coach that was investigated in this paper, the key factors for interior noise are sidewall vibration, bogie area noise, and floor sound transmission loss. Based on this and other engineering considerations, an interior noise control strategy can be defined.     

海洋波导中目标声辐射场的计算方法

针对海洋波导中目标声辐射场的计算问题,提出了一种基于波叠加法并在近、远场采用不同水声传播模型的建模方法,可以将近、远场作为一个统一的系统进行高效地分析。该方法通过给定的已知表面振动速度的结构计算出目标内部虚拟点声源的源强,再配合在相应的水声环境中点声源传播模型的Green函数计算出结构外的声辐射场。以Green函数为纽带,在求源强和计算近场声辐射场时采用镜像虚源法,而在计算远场声辐射场时采用简正波法。通过该方法得到的有限水深波导中声速剖面为正梯度、负梯度、负跃层的3种情况下的脉动球、刚体摆动球的声辐射场计算结果与COMSOL的有限元计算结果进行对比,结果表明了该方法在提高计算效率的同时保证了计算精度。      

Sound radiation of panel-form loudspeaker using flat voice coil for excitation

A novel panel-form loudspeaker in which the panel of the speaker is excited by the forces generated through the flat voice coil of a rectangular electro-magnetic type exciter for sound radiation is presented. The exciter when properly designed has the advantage of exerting appropriate loads to the panel so that the major sound pressure level (SPL) dips of the speaker can be suppressed or even eliminated. For designing such panel-form speaker, a method formulated on the basis of the classical plate theory (CPT), Ritz method, and first Rayleigh integral is proposed for predicting the SPL curve of the speaker. An experimental investigation was performed to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. The effects of some system parameters on the major SPL dips of the proposed panel-form speakers are investigated by means of several numerical examples. The optimal locations of flat voice coils for exciting several panel-form speakers are determined to illustrate the important role of excitation location for enhancing sound quality of such speakers via the removal or suppression of the major SPL dips.     

微圆孔非线性声阻抗及声整流现象的实验研究

在高声强下测量了微圆孔处声激发射流的速度和微圆孔的非线性声阻抗。随声压级的增加声激发射流的速度增大,实验中射流速度在 ０－１９ｍ／ｓ范围内变化,这表明出现一种强烈声整流现象;与此同时微圆孔声阻明显增大,而声抗减小,声抗最小值约是其线性值的０．７倍。此外实验结果还验证了一种微园孔声学非线性效应离散涡模型的合理性。     

振膜与音圈粘结间隙对高频截止的影响*

利用声学理论及Comsol仿真对电动式高音扬声器声压级高频进行分析,重点研究了高音振膜与音圈的粘结状态对声压级高频截止的影响。根据实例分析,当音圈与振膜之间的粘结间隙被中心胶填充时,Klippel测试的声压级高频提前截止。通过对中心胶粘结位置相关的类比线路图分析可知,扬声器高频截止频率主要受振膜和中心胶的刚性影响,当中心胶粘结位置存在间隙时,因中心胶材料与骨架材料比模量的差异,Cglue变大,此时整体刚性变小,会使振动能量由音圈骨架传递到振膜材料时的传递速率受到削减,表现为高频截止频率降低。Comsol仿真分析表明,音圈骨架与振膜粘结位置存在间隙时,高频振动模态发生弯曲,影响振动能量的传递,高频提前截止,与实例分析的结果一致。     

Special designed RF-antenna with integrated non-invasive carbon electrodes for simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography acquisition at 7T

The construction of a high quality MR RF-antenna with incorporated EEG electrodes for simultaneous MRI and EEG acquisition is presented. The antenna comprises an active decoupled surface coil for receiving the MR signal and a whole body coil for transmitting the excitation RF pulses. The surface coil offers a high signal-to-noise ratio required for fMRI application and the whole body coil has a good B(1) excitation profile, which enables the application of homogeneous RF pulses. Non-invasive carbon electrodes are used in order to minimise the magnetic susceptibility artefacts that occur upon application of conductive materials. This dedicated set-up is compared to a standard set-up being a linear birdcage coil and commercially available Ag/AgCl electrodes. As the acquired EEG signals are heavily disturbed by the gradient switching, intelligent filtering is applied to obtain a clean EEG signal.     

传递矩阵法预报时空随机激励下任意薄壳腔体内部噪声

利用结构有限元结合声有限元及边界元方法,建立了任意薄壳腔体弹性壳板振动与内外声场的耦合模型,并计算了激励力与壳板振动和内部声场之间的传递矩阵;湍流边界层脉动压力具有时空随机面激励特性,引入整体形状函数矩阵,进一步推导弹性壳板广义节点力功率谱密度函数矩阵与随机面分布激励力功率谱密度函数的关系,再利用声振耦合传递矩阵,得到弹性壳板振动和内部声场功率谱密度函数与广义节点力功率谱密度函数矩阵的关系,形成随机分布激励下任意薄壳腔体结构振动及内部声场的计算方法。以典型的内外均有声介质且一面为弹性矩形板的矩形腔声振耦合模型为例,计算了弹性壳板振动和内部声场功率谱密度函数,并与解析方法进行了比较,两者基本吻合,偏差分别为1 dB和2 dB左右。传递矩阵法不受腔体结构及其内部区域形状的制约,具有良好的适用性。      

Conditioning-induced protection from impulse noise in female and male chinchillas

Sound conditioning (pre-exposure to a moderate-level acoustic stimulus) can induce resistance to hearing loss from a subsequent traumatic exposure. Most sound conditioning experiments have utilized long-duration tones and noise at levels below 110 dB SPL as traumatic stimuli. It is important to know if sound conditioning can also provide protection from brief, high-level stimuli such as impulses produced by gunfire, and whether there are differences between females and males in the response of the ear to noise. In the present study, chinchillas were exposed to 95 dB SPL octave band noise centered at 0.5 kHz for 6 h/day for 5 days. After 5 days of recovery, they were exposed to simulated M16 rifle fire at a level of 150 dB peak SPL. Animals that were sound conditioned showed less hearing loss and smaller hair cell lesions than controls. Females showed significantly less hearing loss than males at low frequencies, but more hearing loss at 16 kHz. Cochleograms showed slightly less hair cell loss in females than in males. The results show that significant protection from impulse noise can be achieved with a 5-day conditioning regimen, and that there are consistent differences between female and male chinchillas in the response of the cochlea to impulse noise.     

Surface impedance design with ground corrugation for mitigation of large-calibre gun blast noise

The surface impedance design approach is proposed for mitigating large-calibre gun blast noise. Surrounding the blast noise, we employ a group of concentric trenches with critical depths to dampen the propagation of the acoustic wave. These trenches behave like quarter-wavelength resonators and produce acoustic soft surfaces at their openings. The sound pressure is then mitigated over these soft surfaces by destructive interference and the wave attenuates rapidly along the ground surface. To evaluate the overall acoustic performance of such a design, we develop an efficient numerical solver by treating the geometry as a body of revolution (BOR). The symmetry of the structure in the revolution direction allows the 3D boundary integral equation (BIE) for acoustic wave scattering to be reduced to a 2D integral equation by the use of Fourier series expansions. Numerical experiments show that this model can effectively suppress the acoustic wave propagation horizontally and the reduction can reach about 15 dB for large-calibre gun noise with very low-frequency components.