Noise control in enclosures: modeling and experiments with T-shaped acoustic resonators

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental study of noise control in enclosures using a T-shaped acoustic resonator array. A general model with multiple resonators is developed to predict the acoustic performance of small resonators placed in an acoustic enclosure. Analytical solutions for the sound pressure inside the enclosure and the volume velocity source strength out of the resonator aperture are derived when a single resonator is installed, which provides insight into the physics of acoustic interaction between the enclosure and the resonator. Based on the understanding of the coupling between the individual resonators and enclosure modes, both targeted and nontargeted, a sequential design methodology is proposed for noise control in the enclosure using an array of acoustic resonators. Design examples are given to illustrate the control performance at a specific or at several resonance peaks within a frequency band of interest. Experiments are conducted to systematically validate the theory and the design method. The agreement between the theoretical and experimental results shows that, with the help of the presented theory and design methodology, either single or multiple resonance peaks of the enclosure can be successfully controlled using an optimally located acoustic resonator array.