Design for Low Noise

D. W. Herrin, Ph.D., P.E.

University of Kentucky
Department of Mechanical Engineering
 ISO Technical Report
Design for Low Noise
D  ISO TR 11688, “Acoustics – Recommended Practice for the Design of Low-Noise
Machinery and Equipment, Part 1: Planning, Part 2: Introduction into Physics of Low
Noise Design”, ISO, Geneva, 1995 and 1997.
D  M. Bockhoff, “Design of Low-Noise Machinery”, Chapter 66, Handbook of Noise and
Vibration Control, ed. M. J. Crocker, Wiley, Hoboken, New Jersey (2007).

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 2 Noise and Vibration

University of Kentucky Short Course
 Establish Causal Chain for NVH
Design for Low Noise

Source

Energy Path

Receiver

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 3 Noise and Vibration

University of Kentucky Short Course
ISO/TR 11688-1 and Bockhoff, 2007

A Candidate Design Process

Design for Low Noise

D  Clarification of Task
D  Conceptual Design
D  Detailed Design
D  Prototyping

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 4 Noise and Vibration

University of Kentucky Short Course
ISO/TR 11688-1 and Bockhoff, 2007

1. Clarification of Task
Design for Low Noise
Design Process Acoustic Control

1.  Clarification of Task 1.  Clarification of requirements concerning

ü  Clarifying standards, noise behavior
requirements, state-of-the-art ü  Legal limits, standards
ü  List of specifications ü  Requests from clients
ü  State-of-the-art, sales argument

For example
ü  A-Weighted sound power level
ü  A-Weighted emission sound pressure
level
ü  Sound pressure spectra in one-third-
octave bands
ü  Directivity index
ü  Psychoacoustic parameters such as
loudness, roughness, and sharpness

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 5 Noise and Vibration

University of Kentucky Short Course
ISO/TR 11688-1 and Bockhoff, 2007

1. Clarification of Task
Design for Low Noise

Example acoustic specifications list

Acoustic Specifications for Product

D/R Requirements
R Maximum sound power of 85 dB measured (ISO 3744)
D Maximum sound power of 80 dB measured (ISO 3744)
R Minimize structure-borne noise to the bed-plate
R Minimize structure-borne noise transmission between pump and motor
…

D – Desired
R – Required

Setting targets early enables you to set noise levels for

components from suppliers and set targets for yourself.

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 6 Noise and Vibration

University of Kentucky Short Course
ISO/TR 11688-1 and Bockhoff, 2007

2. Conceptual Design
Design for Low Noise

Design Process Acoustic Control

2.  Conceptual Design 2.  Acoustical experience and knowledge for

ü  Search for solution principles
ü  Comparison of different
concepts
ü  Selection of concept
rough comparison of different solutions:
ü  Experience and examples
ü  Literature, drawings
ü  Source - Path – Receiver maps
ü  Acoustical rules
ü  Formulas
ü  SEA / Ivanov Models

Is numerical simulation helpful when you need it most?

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 7 Noise and Vibration

University of Kentucky Short Course
ISO/TR 11688-1 and Bockhoff, 2007

3. Detailed Design
Design for Low Noise

Design Process Acoustic Control

3.  Detailed Design 3.  Acoustical experience and knowledge for

ü  Choice of layout,
components, materials,
dimensions
ü  Comparison (modeling,
computation)
ü  Selection of details
quantitative evaluation of different solutions:
ü  Source strength of partial sources
ü  Acoustical modeling, ranking
ü  Numerical Simulation (FEM, SEA)
Steps to be taken
ü  Acoustical modeling
ü  Identify active and passive components
ü  Rank transmission paths
ü  Rules of noise control

Are you allotted enough time for simulation?

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 8 Noise and Vibration

University of Kentucky Short Course
Bockhoff, 2007

4. Prototyping
Design for Low Noise
Acoustic Control
Design Process
4.  Evaluation and improvement of noise behavior:
4.  Prototyping ü  Noise measurements
ü  Functional checks ü  Modifications for noise reduction
ü  Modifications ü  Final testing and comparison with reference
ü  Comparison with reference
Steps to be taken
ü  Measurements
a.  Overall check
b.  Detailed measurements (research sources
and paths)
ü  Evaluation
a.  Ranking of sources
b.  Planning of noise control measures
ü  Modification
a.  According to priority list

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 9 Noise and Vibration

University of Kentucky Short Course
Goetchius, 2014

4. Prototyping
Design for Low Noise
Advice for solving noise problems:
1. Stop, quiet your mind, and think about the problem.
2. Develop a hypothesis.
3. Test the hypothesis quickly if possible (smartphone apps, impact
test)
4. Refine your hypothesis and develop a rigorous test.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 before bringing in the channel count
champions (TPA, beamforming, etc.).
6. Keep your hypothesis in mind as your parse through the data.

“Never stop thinking, and never rely on analysis software to

develop a solution. That’s your job!”

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 10 Noise and Vibration

University of Kentucky Short Course