SBIR Phase I: A Robust and Cost-Effective Tool for Diagnosing Manufacturing Noise Problems

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将研究一项新技术商业化的可行性，这项新技术被称为基于Helmholtz方程最小二乘(HELS)方法的近场声全息(NAH)，用于在制造环境中可视化复杂振动结构的声辐射。噪音是我们社会每天面临的日益严重的环境问题之一。根据美国国家健康研究所的数据，超过1000万美国人患有永久性噪音导致的听力损失。美国国家职业安全与健康研究所报告称，约有3000万美国人每天暴露在噪音水平下，这些噪音最终会损害他们的听力。治理噪声污染的第一步是获得准确的诊断。通过可视化声音，工程师可以精确定位声源位置，并以最具成本效益的方式降低噪音水平。该项目的目标是为工程师提供一个强大的工具，以深入了解通过使用传统噪声诊断无法获得的声音产生机制。所获得的洞察力和知识将使工程师能够设计出最具成本效益的方法来减少制造过程或环境中的噪音污染，并对产品进行与噪音相关的质量控制。将特别注意开发最优的正则化方案，以提高在实际制造情况下重建声场的精度和效率。特别是，将考虑来自附近表面的声反射的影响，这在传统的NAH理论中从未被考虑过。此外，还将开发和测试快速部署这项技术以满足工程应用要求的方法。预计该项目将产生一个强大的工具，以最具成本效益的方式解决一般制造环境中的噪音问题。该项目的顺利完成将对减少噪声污染、提高劳动力能力和竞争力产生重大影响，并为噪声相关质量控制提供实用工具。这项技术将使希望降低产品和制造系统中的噪音水平或改善制造质量控制过程的公司受益。制造商将受益于更安静的制造环境，终端用户将受益于更安静的产品。这项新技术的成功商业化将对汽车、航空航天、家用电器等制造行业产生影响，在这些行业中，噪音是主要问题之一。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will examine the feasibility of commercialization of a new technology, known as the Helmholtz Equation Least Square (HELS) method based Nearfield Acoustical Holography (NAH), for visualizing acoustic radiation from a complex vibrating structure in a manufacturing environment. Noise is one of the growing environmental issues that face our society every day. According to National Institute of Health, over 10 million Americans suffer permanent noise-induced hearing loss. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health report that about 30 million Americans are exposed to daily noise levels that will eventually impair their hearing. The first step in tackling noise pollution is to obtain an accurate diagnostics. By visualizing sound, engineers can pinpoint source locations and reduce noise levels most cost effectively. The goal of this project is to provide engineers with a powerful tool to acquire an in-depth understanding of sound generation mechanisms that cannot be obtained by using conventional noise diagnostics. The insight and knowledge gained will enable an engineer to devise the most cost-effective way to both reduce noise pollution in a manufacturing process or environment and perform noise related quality control on products. Special attention will be given to development of an optimal regularization scheme to enhance the accuracy and efficiency in reconstructing an acoustic field in a realistic manufacturing situation. In particular, the effect of acoustic reflections from nearby surfaces, which have never been addressed in traditional NAH theory, will be considered. Moreover, methods for a rapid deployment of this technology to meet the engineering application requirements will be developed and tested. It is anticipated that this project will yield a robust tool to tackle noise issues in a general manufacturing setting in the most cost-effective manner. Successful completion of this project will have a significant impact on reducing noise pollution, improving workforce capabilities and competitiveness, and providing a practical tool for noise-related quality control. This technology will benefit companies that want to lower noise levels in product and manufacturing system or improve the manufacturing quality control process. Manufacturers will benefit from a quieter manufacturing environment, and end users will benefit from quieter products. Successful commercialization of this novel technology will have an impact on manufacturing industries such as automotive, aerospace, appliances, and many others where noise is one of the major concerns.