Apparatus and method for aircraft cabin noise attenuation via non-obstructive particle damping

Abstract

An apparatus for reducing noise in an aircraft cabin is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a structure portion and filler material. The structure portion further comprises an internal member having at least one cavity disposed therein. Each of the at least one cavity of the structure portion are filled with the filler material.

1 . An apparatus for reducing noise, comprising: 
 a structure portion, the structure portion having an internal member, the internal member defining at least one cavity; and    a filler material, the filler material being disposed within the at least one cavity.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal member comprises at least one sidewall, the at least one sidewall defining the at least one cavity.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal member defines a plurality is of cavities.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the filler material is disposed within at least one of the plurality of cavities.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the filler material comprises a plurality of particles.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the filler material partially fills each of the cavities in which it is disposed.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filler material comprises a plurality of particles.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the filler material partially fills the at least one cavity.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filler material comprises a silicate.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure portion further comprises a front member and a rear member.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the front member defines a top of the at least one cavity.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the rear member defines a bottom of the at least one cavity.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rear member is affixed to a first side of the internal member.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the front member is affixed to a second side of the internal member.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the second side of the internal member is opposite the first side of the middle member.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the front member and the rear member combine to bound the at least one cavity defined within the internal member of the structure portion.  
   
   
       17 . A method for reducing noise, comprising: 
 providing a structure, the structure having an internal member;    forming at least one cavity within the internal member; and;    depositing a filler material within the at least one cavity.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising affixing a front member and a rear member to the internal member.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising permitting the random movement of the filler material within the at least one cavity.  
   
   
       20 . An aircraft noise reduction apparatus, comprising: 
 an aircraft cabin, the aircraft cabin comprising at least one structure portion, the structure portion comprising a honeycomb network, the honeycomb network having a plurality of cavities;    filler material disposed within at least one of the plurality of cavities; and    wherein the filler material is free to move within the at least one of the plurality of cavities to absorb structural vibration and noise energy.    
   
   
       21 . A noise reducing panel, comprising: 
 a first outside portion;    a second outside portion;    a honeycomb portion, the honeycomb portion being disposed between the first outside portion and the second outside portion, the honeycomb portion having a plurality of cavities;    a filler material disposed within the plurality of cavities of the honeycomb portion; and    a means for affixing the first outside portion and the second outside portion to the honeycomb portion;    wherein the filler material is free to move within at least one of the plurality of cavities to absorb structural vibration and noise energy.