Active Noise Reduction Technology

Noise levels in crew compartments below the flight decks on Navy ships during flight operations have traditionally been extremely noisy due to jet engine noise as well as launch machinery transients. Levels exceed Navy desired levels by over 10 dB. Current state of the art materials do not work well at low frequencies. SSC proposes to develop an active noise solution that consists of a modular, fully integrated smart material that can be applied to the interior compartments of ships. The smart acoustic panel will reduce radiating noise by employing advanced smart materials such as polyvinylidene fluouride (PVDF) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) actuation materials, embedded MEMs based acoustic and vibration sensors, and polyurethane foam for passive vibration absorption. A method to use smart acoustic materials to provide local noise control of manned spaces will also be investigated if global control proves to be unfeasible.