(2) 6 0s) my an @ 6s) () on} (2) 658) 36) United States Patent Devantier et al. METHOD FOR PREDICTIN LOUDSPEAKER PORT PERFORMANCE AND EAKER PORT FLUID FLOW PRINCIPLE Inventors: Allan Devantier, Newall, CA (US); Zachary Rapoport, Northridge, CA ws) Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated, Nontiridge, CA (US) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the team ofthis pateat is extended of adjusted under 35 USC. 1540) by 0 days Appl. Now 11/208,773 Bile: Aug, 16, 2005 Prior Publication Data Mas. 9, 2006 Related US. Application Data Provisional pplication No, 60602,281, filed on Aug. 16, 2004. Int. Cl. 6066 750 us.cl. (2006.01) ‘T0399; 703/15 70816 Fleld of Classification Search 70H, 7086, 9: 381/348; 702/182 See application file for complet search history. References Cited USS, PATENT DOCUMENTS 4987601 811991. Goto eta $109492 A 41992 Fara sal SSI7STS A * 511996 Polk eta. sss Enclosure Driver { 'US007890312B2 (10) Patent No. 4s) Date of Patent: US 7,890,312 B2 Feb. 15, 2011 STIA721 A 21998 Gaseonsk ta Tooasas B2* $2005 Keane etal. yo2iis2 200s0076075 AL* 42003 Sead etal sais (OTHER PUBLICATIONS Roazen etal, “Redstion of Rase-Reflx Port Nonlnctities by ‘Optimizing thc Prt Goon” pesetodalthe 104th Conventionat the Ao Eagincring Soci May 1998, propia 4661, pp. 1-24* Sata ef als" Manimizing Peformance ftom Loudspeaker Ports JAES vol 50, No.1, Dee 2001, pp 19-45" Racaynki, "How Goo Is Your Por”, pwsnerdomainae sat ~Doszio PORTS pl Dee. 2003. pp. Lol © Gogg etal, “Intuction to Simulation, Posen ofthe 25th (Conference on Winter Simulation, 1993, pp. 9-17 ‘uo Engineering Society Convention Paper Presented atthe 117 Convention, Oct 2831, 2004 San Francia, CA. USA, 20 pugs 1 Ao Eng. Soc, vl. $0, No. lan. Feb. 2002; Sava et a; ‘sknowladgement; erences bibliography | pe IDAniokng. Soc vol 30, No, Jan. Fey 2002, The Author only pas * cited by examiner Primary Examiner Kamin $ Shh Assistant Esaminer—Hermg-Der Day (04) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—The Belipse Group LLP on ABSTRACT A. method! is provided for predicting the performance of a loudspeaker port and optimizing port design. The method involves defining the goometies ofa loudspeaker port, med- cling the bi-directional Mid flow inthe defined por tiizing ‘8 modeling method known as Computation Fluid Dynamics (CCFD") and analyzing the fow model to determine whether the flow characteristic displayed in the model represent opti- num flow charaeterisies for port perfomance. To optimize port design, the geometries of the port may be altered and ‘cdeled wnt the How charveteistic represents Ha indica- tive of optimum port performance. 16 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets Listening Room Axis of SymmetryU.S. Patent Feb. 15, 2011 Sheet 1 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 80 50 60 30 10 a QO 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 x(n} FIG. 1U.S. Patent Feb. 15, 2011 Sheet 2 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 Listening Room Enclosure Driver Axis of Symmetry FIG. 2 FIG. 3U.S. Patent Feb. 15,2011 Sheet 3 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 FIG. 4 FIG. 5 FIG. 8 FIG. 6 FIG. 9U.S. Patent Feb. 15,2011 Sheet 4 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 FIG. 13 FIG. 11 FIG. 14U.S. Patent Feb. 15, 2011 Sheet 5 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 ‘Sound Pressure Level FIG. 16U.S. Patent Feb. 15, 2011 Sheet 6 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 & 8 & 8 = i i é 8 o 8 e 3 Drive Level (48, Referenced to 1VRMS) FIG. 17U.S, Patent FIG. 18 Feb. 15, 2011 Sheet 7 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 Compression 100 00 [pe 8 00 3 2.00 F 300 é 400 - 500 - | 6.00 + ; mo » Div Lol (6, Rated to VANS)U.S. Patent Feb. 15, 2011 Sheet 8 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 Total Hamonie Ditorton 4 ec) = < 45 f sR ry Z 2A a 8 a z* 7 |e 30 (> > | D =| RA ff | | fae e a = nate be jy te te ‘Fundamental Sound Pressure Level (4B) FIG. 19U.S. Patent Feb. 15, 2011 Sheet 9 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 ‘Total Harmonie Distortion THD (@B) Drive Level (48, Referenced to 1VRMS) FIG. 20U.S. Patent Feb. 15, 2011 Sheet 10 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 (Odd Harmonie Distortion ‘THD (4B) Drive Level (dB, Referenced to 1VRMS) FIG. 21U.S. Patent Feb. 15, 2011 Sheet 11 of 11 US 7,890,312 B2 ‘THD (4B) shee eee Even Harmenic Distotion Drive Level (48, Referenced to 1VRMS) FIG. 22US 7,890,312 B2 1 METHOD FOR PREDICTING LOUDSPEAKER PORT PERFORMANCE AND. OPTIMIZING LOUDSPEAKER PORT DESIGNS UTILIZING BEDIRECTIONAI FLUID FLOW PRINCIPLES, s RELATED APPLICATIONS, ‘This epplication claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/602.281filedon Aug. 16,2004, titled Analysis and Modeling ofthe Bi-Directional Fluid Flow Londspeaker Ports, which is incorporate into this applica- tion by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION |. Field ofthe Invention This invention eates generally to loudspeaker ports, More particularly. the invention relates to providing a method for predicting the performanceata loudspeaker port aseton the 2 ‘modeling and analysis of bi-reetional Mud low through the Joudspeaker port 2. Related Ac ass reflex ports are use in loudspeakers tenance low frequency performance, Over the last few years, there has ben increased interes in bass reflex ports devea by the need for better performance from smaller loudspeaker enclosures, ile her maximum sound pressure level and wider band- ‘width, Although there has boon signifieant work done 10 reduce these negative effects, no optimal solution bas been ound ‘At lowe sound levels the port extend the low frequency response By supplying one of the components af a Telmboltz resonator. However, at higher sound levels, the turbulent Jmensity inthe por increases, which diseupsthe Flelmoholtz resonance and causes distortion, noise al compression. To FLUENT® provides to generate the geometry dad mesh. “To schiove good resolution, 12 nodes may be placed within the boundary layer. \ uniform boundary layer was generated ‘withthe ist grid point at 0.08 mm and growing ata rate of 0.05% for 12 nodes, Using an unsirictired quadrilateral ‘mesh, the remining aca was meshed grving ata mite of 2% ‘moving away from the port walls, Those skilled in the ar Will recognize that, while the illustrate example milizs 12 nodes ‘within the boundary layer, any number of nodes may be Utilized, aswell different it grid points and different growth rates forthe nodes, The low may then be simulated overa wide rangeof sound levels. Using the geometry and mesh, boundary conditions ate assigned to adjust the flow. A sinusoidal velocity profile ‘ay he implemented on the simolated deverat the far let of the geometry. The magnitude o this velocity profile may be ‘adjusted to simulate higher or lover sond pressure levels ‘The boundaries located on the fur right and top ofthe geom- ‘etry may be set (© atmospheric pressure to simulate the out side world. Although FLUENT has many turbulence mod- cel, the Large Eady Simulation (*LES”) model is one model applicable to ths situation and ean capture a wide range of ‘ilies without undesirable smoothing elfects that may come ‘with other turbulence models. The [ES is the model se to enerate the flow models ilustated in FIGS. 4-18. Other methods may also be used, for example, a method known as Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS), which captures a fll range of eddies, may’ also be used; however, DNS it s more ‘computationally intensive than the LES mod Toenswre tha the flow is fully developed, calculations may bru fortwo or more complete transtcer cycles before any data is collected, then the following two or more eyeles may be recorded as videos. Hach eyele may be broken into 200 steps fo capture all the low phenomena, using, for example 230 Hz signal each time sep is 0.167 milliseconds. Those skilled in tear will eeonize that other eyeles, oer signals and other time steps may be use to record the flow data FIGS, 4-15 show the resultsof four lovdspeaker-por simu lations at three different Sound Pressure Levels (°SPL"”) using the PLUPNT CFD program, These plots show tends fs 8 function of drive level and fare rate In the example iMlustations, velocity magnitude plots ane used rather than ‘reumline plots, Those skilled in the at will recognize that citer type of plot may be utilized in aditional t any other 6 ow methods fr ploting hid flow. FIGS. 4-18 aze ray scale conversions taken from orginal color mpeps. While the Snapsot or thee lustrations is aken rom te videos othe time slice that cormesponds fo 135 degees into the fourth emplcte eye of the simnokal oscillation, sapsbots may betaken tiller times, However, take the videos forthe time slice that corresponds to 135 degrees into the four complete eyele othe sinsoidal oscillation may be ifoera- five and representative of the overall i Ho, Furr the Ao is from let to right during ths point ofthe animation Although not discuss in detail inthis aplication, o corre: late the results othe CED. the ports say sls be prototype an subjected 10 citer or bth objective and subjective tet A fll dscusion of example of bth objective and subject testo conelate the rests can be Touad ia US. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61602 281 fled on Avg. 16, 2004, tiled Analysis and Modeling ofthe Bi-Diretional Foi Flow in Loxdepeaker Ports, which is incorporate nto this application by reference in sentry ‘Wilh respect fo Port SR, FIG. 4 illsates the velociny magnitude of Por SR at low sound presure lve. FIG. § Iiksrates te velocity magnitude of Port Sand a medi sown pressure lve. FIG. 6 ilstatesthe velocity magnitude OrPort SR high sound press level ‘With respect o Por B, FIG. Tillstrates the velocity mag- nitude of Por Bat low sound pressure level FIG. 8 illustrates the velocity magnitude of Por B ata medium SPL. FIG. 9 ‘usates the velocity magaite of Port Bata high sound presure lve With respect to Port C, FIG. 10 illustrates the velocity ‘magnitude f Por C ata Tow sound pressure level. FIG. I Illustrates the velocity magnitude of Port Cand a median sound pressure level, FIG. 12 knit te velocity moni tude of Port Cat a high sound pressire level ‘With respect fo Port D, FIG. 13 illustates the velocity snagnitude of Port Data lo sound presse level. FIG. Md iilsrates the velocity maanitnde of Por D aad miedo sound pressure level, FIG. 1 illsite the Velocity mogni- tude of Por D ata high sound pressure level roman objective view point, flow separationcan occuron catrancor ext An opin port design wil delay the ost of separation to th highest posible level. From sabjctve Vw post, separation om entrance ad exit sound dierent With éaiance separation sounding worse, Therefore at on ‘unm design will fore separation on exit to happen st, ut ‘willbe shallow enough to delay the onset of separation vthe highest possible level. As illustrated in FIG. 414, vena con- tet effets can be clearly seenin Port SR forall drive eves A the middle an high drive levels we sce the evidence of “vortex shedding” Accompanying the vortex x large moss of high velocity Mud exiting long wit the main ow. Port B,C, and D all have no obvious sign af veus cone trqeta At mem drvelevelsthe plots look "worse than that bfport SR. However iisinteresting ote that te exitothe ‘ain floss fee of significant artifaets and thatthe vortices {hat are evident appear toe diverging away from the main Howe AU high sound pressor levels all fooe ports exhibit evidence of vortex shedding 'As prviously noted, objective tests canbe performed to comclte the rents ofthe bistrstonal modeling. In one example of objective testing, ports may be mounted ina 66 ‘eres flex enclose ted with two love-cistortion 30 em ‘woofers, The system may then be measured n'a Tange !nochoie chamber fited with 1220 mam wedges and driven With 2 34H sine wave ringing from 1.0 VRMS to 25.1 \VRMS in I dB increments. A microphone may be placed 45 dlgrocs off the port as to rede the random elfots tht cevur when a vortex its the microphone. Those skilled the nt will eeognize tht other parameters and other testing ‘methods may also be viz.US 7,890,312 B2 1 Using the above deserted parameters, objective testing ‘ean be performed on the six ports having the profiles as iMlustratedin FIG. 1 to comelate the results ofthe modeling of the bidirectional id Row of the ports TFIG. 16 shows the Fundamental Sound Pressure Level as ‘unetion of drive voltage and FIG. 17 shows the compression ‘asa finction of deve level. Transicer thermal compression js a contributing factor, but should be consistent from port- ‘o-port making comparisons vali, PortC hia the most opt and least compression over the entire test range. Output and ‘compression forthe ports with more generous are (port D and E) was slightly lower. While output and compression for the straight port and the ports with the more subtle Hare was significantly worse TIG. 18shows the compression ofport SR al only. Note the discontinuities inthe compression curves with rive levels ‘of16dB and 19 dB respectively. Thiseffect was evident onall, Ports and marked the onset of turbulence in the boundary Tayer, thas sctng like an “air bearing” and actualy reducing loses ia the por TIG, 19 shows the Total Harmonie Distortion (up o the 86" harmonies a funeton of Fundamental Sound Pressure Loveland FIG, 20 shows the THD asa funetionof drive level The wendsare these forbotheurves. Three distin regions ‘ean be seen asa funetion of drivelevel iow, medium andigh, ‘each with ts own unique attinites. At drives levels below 10 {dB (eferenced to 1VRMS) THD drops with drive level forall, ports, This suggests that THD is below the noise oor ofthe measurement, For dive levels bewoen 10 dB aod 20 a3 distortion decreases as fare rate increases, For drive levels, ‘above 20 dB Port C bas the lowest THD. TFIG. 21 shows the Odd Hamonie Distortion a a fanetion| ‘of drive level and FIG. 22 shows the Even Harmonic Distor- tion, The trends shown in the THD curves are continued here at medium Sound Pressure Levels higher flare rate improves performance, while atthe highest levels there appears tobe & “middle pound” (Post C) tats optimum, The foregoing description ofan implementation has heen presented for purposes of illustrations and description. I is hotexhastiveand does nt limit the claimed inventions tothe precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations ae pose bled ightof the above description ormay be acquired om practicing the invention. For example, the described mod nay aso utilize other methods for optimizing por design and predicting por performance in addition o ow visualization, Such of methods may elude as to using a predefined motric to measure turbulent intensity within a port or using a pre- ‘fined metric to minimize sound pressure level, Note also that the implementation may vary between systems. The ‘claims and their equivalents define the sonpe of the invention, "What is claimed is 1. A method for optimizing the performance of « loud- speaker por, the method comprising defining at least one weometrie associated withthe loud speaker ports amadeling & bisditectonal Muid flow through the loud ‘speaker port based upon the a last one geometric ui- izing a Computation Fluid Dynamies (*CFD") model- ing method and where modeling calculations are ‘executed fortwo complete transducer eyeles before data is collected, where the data is non-satistical data ‘obiining a representation of the bi-directional Mud flow ‘through the loudspeaker por: analyzing the representation ofthebi-licectona ud flow Through the kudspeaker port to determine whether the representation of the bidirectional uid flow through the loudspeaker is indicative of port design where an ‘eit flow separation occurs prior to an entrance flow separation; and 0 o 8 ifthe representation ofthe bi-directional uid Now through the loudspeaker port is aot indicative of port design ‘wherean ext lo separation occurs priortoanentrance flow separation, then redefining thea last one geomet- rie associated with the loudspeaker por, and repeating the modeling, obisining and analyzing steps nail the representation of the bi-diectional tid flow through the loudspeaker por is indicative ofa port design where ‘an exit fo separation occurs peor oan entrance fas Separation and optimizing the performance ofthe loud speaker port by utilizing the atleast one geometrie that Was redefined that resulted in the representation of the bisdrectional fuid flow through the loudspeaker port Where the exit flow separation oceurred prior to the entrance flow separation, 2, The method of claim 1 further including the step of ‘optimizing por design by’altering the geomtee of the ou. speaker por and repeating the steps of modeling the bi iretional uid flow, obtaining a representation of ud Now, fd analyzing the representation of fui flow nil the repre Sentation of fuid Now is indicative of optimam port perfor '3. The method of claim 1 where defining one or more sweometric associated with the loudspeaker port includes efining a section of a hyperbola 4. The methed of claim I where defining one or more geometric associated with the loudspeaker port includes add- {nga lange tam inner edge of the loudspeaker por. 'S. The method of claim 1-where defining one or more geometric associated with the loudspeaker port inclides ‘efining a blend radius oat least one end oF the loudspeaker port 6. The method of claim 1 where the step of modeling the bicdiwetional Mid flow includes modeling a two-dimen- signal axisymmetric representation ofthe fui few "7. The method of citi 1 where the step of modeling the biediectional fluid flow includes modeling a three-dimen- sional axisymmetric representation ofthe fluid fw 8, The method of claim 1 further including generat mesh forthe loudspeaker por. '9. The method of claim 1 futher including calculating a thickness ('y") fora boundary layer inthe loudspeaker por. 10, The method of claim 9 father inehading defining st least one node within the Boundary layer, 11, The method of claim 10 further including ealeulating the thickness using the following equation: wR where 1 represents 8 dimensionless distance from a wall of te loudspeaker por, vis equal toa kinematic viscosity ofr, and nis equal to 2(2)(), where ca is a frequency at which the biedirwetional fluid low resonates through the loudspeaker 12, The method of claim 1 further including performing an objective test corresponding t the representation of oid ‘vw through the loudspeaker port. 13, The mithod of claim I further including simulating the biediectional id flow fora plurality of sound levels 14, The method of elim 13 further including assigning boundary conditions of the lawdspeaker port to adjust the simulated bi-irectional fui tow 18, The method of elim 13 further inching implement- ‘ng sinusoidal velocity profile ona simulated driver come sponding to the loudspeker por. 16, The method of elsim 1 Tuner including modeling condiions suounding the loudspeaker port so 38 to mie conditions ofa loudspeaker ina r0UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 27,890,312 B2 Page | of 1 APPLICATION NO, : 11/205773 DATED + February 15, 2011 INVENTOR(S) = Devantier etal Its certified that error appears in the above-dentfied patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below: Column 7, line 54, “the loudspeaker is” should be changed to —-the loudspeaker port is-- Signed and Sealed this Twenty-fifth Day of October, 2011 Dud 3: Capps David 1. Kappos Director of the United States Patent amd Trademark Office