Abating low-frequency noise using encapsulated gas bubbles

US8689935B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Preston S. Wilson · Austin, US
• Kevin Lee · Austin, US
• Mark S. Wochner · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 23, 2012
• Grant date: Apr 8, 2014
• Expiry date: May 28, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F01N2590/02
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Air bubbles may be used to reduce radiated underwater noise. Two modalities of sound attenuation by air bubbles were shown to provide a reduction in radiated sound: bubble acoustic resonance damping and acoustic impedance mismatching. The bubbles used for acoustic resonance damping were manifested using gas-filled containers coupled to a support, and the acoustic impedance mismatching bubbles were created using a cloud of freely-rising bubbles, which were both used to surround an underwater sound source.