Sheet Metal Panel Shape for Low Sound Radiation

Abstract

A shape for sheet metal stampings is provided that will minimize the radiation of sound from the panel, to thereby reduce or eliminate the need to add supplemental acoustical absorbing or barrier materials. The sheet metal panel shape includes a crown portion, a peripheral flange that extends around the boundary of the crown portion, a flat portion that truncates the crown, and a bead pattern that is formed in at least the flat portion of the panel, whereby the crown and the flat and the bead pattern cooperate to define a panel shape that has low sound radiation. The bead pattern can also extend part way or more into the crown portion.

1 . A sheet metal panel comprising:
 a crown portion;   a peripheral flange that extends around the boundary of the crown portion;   a flat portion that truncates the crown;   and a bead pattern formed in at least the flat portion of the panel;   
       whereby the crown, and the flat, and the bead pattern, cooperate to define a panel shape that has low sound radiation. 
     
     
         2 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 1  further comprising the bead pattern rising from the flat portion in a direction that adds to the height of the crown. 
     
     
         3 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 1  further comprising the bead pattern rising from the flat portion in a direction opposite to the direction that would add to the height of the crown so that overall height of the panel is not increased by the presence of the bead pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 1  further comprising the bead pattern being a ladder shape with a central spine and a plurality of lateral rungs that extend transverse to the spine. 
     
     
         5 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 4  further comprising the spine residing in the flat portion and not the crown. 
     
     
         6 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 4  further comprising the spine extending across the entire flat portion and at least part way into the crown. 
     
     
         7 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 4  further comprising the lateral rungs residing in only the flat portion and not the crown. 
     
     
         8 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 4  further comprising the lateral rungs extending across the entire flat portion and at least part way into the crown. 
     
     
         9 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 4  further comprising the spine extending across the entire flat portion and the entire crown portion to the peripheral flange. 
     
     
         10 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 4  further comprising the lateral rungs extending across the entire flat portion and the entire crown portion to the peripheral flange. 
     
     
         11 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 1  further comprising the bead pattern being at least one or more rectangular shaped depressions that are provided in at least the flat portion. 
     
     
         12 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 1  further comprising the bead pattern being at least one or more rectangular shaped depressions that are provided in at least the flat portion and extend at least part way into the crown. 
     
     
         13 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 1  further comprising the bead pattern being a plurality of rectangular shaped depressions that are provided in at least the flat portion. 
     
     
         14 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 1  further comprising the bead pattern being a plurality of rectangular shaped depressions that are provided in at least the flat portion and extend at least part way into the crown. 
     
     
         15 . A sheet metal panel comprising:
 a crown portion that is bounded by a peripheral flange;   a flat portion that truncates the crown;   and a ladder shaped bead pattern that rises from the flat portion of the panel and extends at least part way into the crown.   
     
     
         16 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 15  further comprising the bead pattern being a ladder shape with a central spine and a plurality of lateral rungs that extend transverse to the spine. 
     
     
         17 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 16  further comprising the bead pattern rising from the flat portion in a direction that adds to the height of the crown. 
     
     
         18 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 16  further comprising the bead pattern rising from the flat portion in a direction opposite to the direction that would add to the height of the crown so that overall height of the panel is not increased by the presence of the bead pattern. 
     
     
         19 . A sheet metal panel comprising:
 a crown portion that is bounded by a peripheral flange;   a flat portion that truncates the crown;   and a ladder shaped bead pattern having a central spine and a plurality of lateral rungs that rise from the flat portion of the panel and extend at least part way into the crown.   
     
     
         20 . The sheet metal panel of  claim 19  further comprising the bead pattern rising from the flat portion in a direction that either adds to the height of the crown or rise in a direction opposite to the direction that would add to the height of the crown so that overall height of the panel is not increased by the presence of the bead pattern.