Timothy W. Leishman

An experimental evaluation of regular polyhedron loudspeakers as omnidirectional sources of sound

Multiple-driver dodecahedron loudspeakers are commonly used in room acoustics measurements as omnidirectional sources of sound. Yet they and other regular polyhedron loudspeakers become “multidirectional” above their omnidirectional cutoff frequencies (often near 1kHz). Because these cutoff frequencies normally fall within common measurement bandwidths, one might question whether anything is really extraordinary about the dodecahedron loudspeaker or whether another regular polyhedron geometry would actually produce better average omnidirectionality over these bandwidths. This paper explores these questions through measured data, analysis, and comparison of frequency-dependent directivities of several regular polyhedron loudspeaker prototypes. It provides insights into their radiation properties and introduces an alternative method of quantifying omnidirectionality: the area-weighted spatial standard deviation of radiated levels over a free-field measurement sphere. It compares this method to the ISO 3382:...

Measurement of sound power and absorption in reverberation chambers using energy density

Reverberation chamber measurements typically rely upon spatially averaged squared pressure for the calculation of sound absorption, sound power, and other acoustic values. While a reverberation chamber can provide an approximately diffuse sound field, variations in sound pressure consistently produce uncertainty in measurement results. This paper explores the benefits of using total energy density or squared particle velocity magnitude (kinetic energy density) instead of squared pressure (potential energy density) for sound absorption and sound power measurements. The approaches are based on methods outlined in current ISO standards. The standards require a sufficient number of source-receiver locations to obtain suitable measurement results. The total and kinetic energy densities exhibit greater spatial uniformity at most frequencies than potential energy density, thus requiring fewer source-receiver positions to produce effective results. Because the total energy density is typically the most uniform of the three quantities at low frequencies, its use could also impact the usable low-frequency ranges of reverberation chambers. In order to employ total and kinetic energy densities for sound absorption measurements, relevant energy-based impulse responses were developed as part of the work for the assessment of sound field decays.

A theoretical and numerical analysis of vibration-controlled modules for use in active segmented partitions

Many applications of active sound transmission control (ASTC) require lightweight partitions, high transmission loss over a broad frequency range, simple control strategies, and consistent performance for various source and receiving space conditions. In recent years, researchers have begun to investigate active segmented partitions (ASPs) because of their potential to meet such requirements. This paper provides a theoretical and numerical analysis of four ASP module configurations that are candidates for these applications. Analogous circuit methods are used to provide normal-incidence transmission loss and reflection coefficient estimates for their passive and active states. The active control objective for each configuration is to induce global vibration control of various transmitting surfaces through direct vibration control of a principal transmitting surface. Two characteristic single-composite-leaf (SCL) configurations are unable to use the strategy effectively. However, design adjustments are inv...

An experimental investigation of two module configurations for use in active segmented partitions

Individual modules intended for active segmented partitions should be carefully analyzed before they are advanced as viable tools for active sound transmission control. In this paper we present experimental evaluations of two vibration-controlled modules: a single-composite-leaf (SCL) configuration and a double-composite-leaf (DCL) configuration. Experimental apparatuses and procedures are introduced to assess their normal-incidence transmission losses over a bandwidth from 40 to 1970 Hz. The average transmission loss of the passive SCL module is found to be 21 dB. If its transmitting diaphragm acceleration is minimized through active control, transmission loss increases somewhat at lower frequencies but decreases at higher frequencies, producing no increase in the average value. The average transmission loss of the passive DCL module is found to be 43 dB. After its transmitting diaphragm acceleration is actively minimized, the transmission loss increases substantially at all frequencies (especially at lo...

An experimental investigation of two active segmented partition arrays

This paper addresses the construction, measurement, and analysis of two active segmented partition arrays (ASP arrays) for use in active sound transmission control. The control objective for each array was to actively minimize principal transmitting surface vibrations to induce high transmission loss. The arrays incorporated four adjacent lightweight modules with composite single or double leaves and small loudspeakers as actuators. A normal-incidence transmission loss measurement system was developed to evaluate their performances under passive and active conditions. Measurement results were compared to results for passive benchmark partitions and theoretical predictions. Four decentralized single-error-input, single-output filtered-x controllers were used with the arrays. They were shown to perform at least as well as a centralized multiple-error-input, multiple-output controller, with good error signal reductions and stability. Scanning laser vibrometer measurements confirmed the ability of the double-...

Generalized acoustic energy density

The properties of acoustic kinetic energy density and total energy density of sound fields in lightly damped enclosures have been explored thoroughly in the literature. Their increased spatial uniformity makes them more favorable measurement quantities for various applications than acoustic potential energy density (or squared pressure), which is most often used. In this paper, a generalized acoustic energy density (GED), will be introduced. It is defined by introducing weighting factors into the formulation of total acoustic energy density. With an additional degree of freedom, the GED can conform to the traditional acoustic energy density quantities, or it can be optimized for different applications. The properties of the GED will be explored in this paper for individual room modes, a diffuse sound field, and a sound field below the Schroeder frequency.

Active sound transmission control of a double-panel module using decoupled analog feedback control: Experimental results

Low-frequency sound transmission through passive lightweight partitions often renders them ineffective as means of sound isolation. As a result, researchers have investigated actively controlled lightweight partitions in an effort to remedy this problem. One promising approach involves active segmented partitions (ASPs), in which partitions are segmented into several distinctly controlled modules. This paper provides an experimental analysis of a double-panel ASP module wherein the source- and transmitting-side panels are independently controlled by an analog feedback controller. Experimental results, including plant frequency response functions, acoustic coupling strengths, frequency response functions, and transmission losses (TLs) of single- and double-panel modules, are presented and compared to numerical predictions. Over the bandwidth of 20 Hz to 1 kHz, the average measured TL for an actively controlled single-panel module was 29 dB, compared to 14 dB for the passive case. The average measured TL over the same bandwidth for the actively controlled double-panel module was 57 dB, compared to 31 dB for the passive case.

A double-panel active segmented partition module using decoupled analog feedback controllers: Numerical model

Low-frequency sound transmission has long plagued the sound isolation performance of lightweight partitions. Over the past 2 decades, researchers have investigated actively controlled structures to prevent sound transmission from a source space into a receiving space. An approach using active segmented partitions (ASPs) seeks to improve low-frequency sound isolation capabilities. An ASP is a partition which has been mechanically and acoustically segmented into a number of small individually controlled modules. This paper provides a theoretical and numerical development of a single ASP module configuration, wherein each panel of the double-panel structure is independently actuated and controlled by an analog feedback controller. A numerical model is developed to estimate frequency response functions for the purpose of controller design, to understand the effects of acoustic coupling between the panels, to predict the transmission loss of the module in both passive and active states, and to demonstrate that the proposed ASP module will produce bidirectional sound isolation.

Sound quality assessment of sewing machines

This paper presents the sound quality analysis of six sewing machines. The machines range in consumer market segments from entry-level, thru mid-level machines, to high-end computer controlled units. Two brands at the three levels are evaluated and compared. The two methods used to determine the sound quality of these machines are jury based listening tests and quantitative sound quality metrics. The details of these methods are presented and discussed. Sound quality results are presented and suggest that metrics can successfully give an indication of customer preference. The results also reaffirm that sound quality analysis can be useful in product design.

Vibration‐controlled modules for use in active segmented partitions

Active segmented partitions (ASPs) have become an important topic in the research of active sound transmission control (ASTC). Many ASTC applications require lightweight partitions, high transmission loss over a broad frequency range, and applicability to a variety of source and receiving space conditions. This paper provides theoretical, numerical, and experimental evaluations of specific ASP module configurations used to satisfy these requirements. The control objective for each is to induce global vibration control of its various transmitting surfaces through direct minimization of the normal vibration of its principal transmitting surface. Normal‐incidence transmission loss estimates are based on equivalent circuit analysis and corresponding experimental measurements are made using plane wave tube techniques. The paper explains why characteristic single diaphragm configurations are unable to use this strategy effectively. It also discusses two dual diaphragm configurations that use the control scheme ...