Turbine with improved sound reduction

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a turbine for a fluid delivery system and more specifically, but not by limitation, to a portable air turbine for a fluid delivery system having improved sound reduction. In one exemplary embodiment, a portable turbine apparatus is provided and includes a motor and a turbine configured to be driven by the motor for providing pressurized air to an outlet. A first inlet airflow path delivers air to the motor. A first silencer component having sound absorptive material is positioned along the first inlet airflow path and includes at least one orifice formed therethrough for the first inlet airflow path, the at least one orifice having a cross-sectional area of at least 0.01 square inches. A second inlet airflow path delivers air to the turbine. A second silencer component having sound absorptive material is positioned along the second inlet airflow path and includes at least one orifice formed therethrough for the second inlet airflow path, the at least one orifice having a cross-sectional area of at least 0.01 square inches.

1 . A portable turbine apparatus comprising:
 a motor;   a turbine configured to be driven by the motor for providing pressurized air to an outlet;   a first inlet airflow path for delivering air to the motor, wherein a first silencer component having sound absorptive material is positioned along the first inlet airflow path and includes at least one orifice formed therethrough for the first inlet airflow path, the at least one orifice having a cross-sectional area of at least 0.01 square inches; and   a second inlet airflow path for delivering air to the turbine, wherein a second silencer component having sound absorptive material is positioned along the second inlet airflow path and includes at least one orifice formed therethrough for the second inlet airflow path, the at least one orifice having a cross-sectional area of at least 0.01 square inches.   
     
     
         2 . The portable turbine apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 an air filter positioned in the first inlet airflow and spaced apart from the first silencer component.   
     
     
         3 . The portable turbine apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first silencer component is positioned between the air filter and the motor. 
     
     
         4 . The portable turbine apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 an air filter positioned in the second inlet airflow and spaced apart from the second silencer component.   
     
     
         5 . The portable turbine apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second silencer component is positioned between the air filter and the turbine. 
     
     
         6 . The portable turbine apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first silencer component comprises a multi-layered structure that includes at least first and second layers that are substantially planar. 
     
     
         7 . The portable turbine apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first silencer component comprises a first orifice formed through the first and second layers and a second orifice formed through the first and second layers, wherein the first and second orifices are spaced equidistant from a center of the multi-layered structure. 
     
     
         8 . The portable turbine apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second silencer component comprises a multi-layered structure that includes at least first and second layers that are substantially planar, wherein the at least one orifice is formed through both the first and second layers. 
     
     
         9 . The portable turbine apparatus of  claim 8 , and further comprising a baffle positioned over at least a portion of the at least one orifice formed through the second silencer component. 
     
     
         10 . A portable apparatus comprising:
 a motor;   a first inlet airflow path for delivering air to the motor;   a mechanism driven by the motor for compressing air received from a second inlet airflow path, wherein the compressed air is provided to an outlet of the apparatus;   a first silencer component positioned along the first inlet airflow path, wherein at least a portion of the first inlet airflow path passes through the first silencer component, the first silencer component comprising a first layer that includes sound absorptive material and a second layer that includes acoustic barrier material; and   a second silencer component positioned along the second inlet airflow path, wherein at least a portion of the second inlet airflow path passes through the second silencer component, the second silencer component comprising a first layer that includes sound absorptive material and a second layer that includes acoustic barrier material.   
     
     
         11 . The portable apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the mechanism comprises an air turbine, the air turbine and motor being enclosed by a turbine housing of the apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The portable apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first inlet airflow enters a first side of the turbine housing and the second inlet airflow enters a second, opposite side of the turbine housing. 
     
     
         13 . The portable apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first silencer component is positioned within a first inlet housing that is removably coupled to the turbine housing. 
     
     
         14 . The portable apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the second silencer component is positioned within a second inlet housing that is removably coupled to the turbine housing. 
     
     
         15 . The portable apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second silencer components comprise multi-layered structures having at least one sound absorptive material layer attached to a backing layer comprising the acoustic barrier material. 
     
     
         16 . A portable turbine apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a motor positioned within the housing;   a turbine positioned within the housing and configured to be driven by the motor for providing compressed air to an outlet;   a first inlet airflow path from a first side of the housing to the motor and a second inlet airflow path from a second, opposite side of the housing to the turbine;   a first silencer component having a sound absorbent material positioned along the first inlet airflow path; and   a second silencer component having a sound absorbent material positioned along the second inlet airflow path.   
     
     
         17 . The portable apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first silencer component comprises a multi-layered structure that includes at least first and second layers that are substantially planar. 
     
     
         18 . The portable apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first silencer component comprises a first orifice formed through the first and second layers and a second orifice formed through the first and second layers, wherein the first and second orifices are spaced equidistant from a center of the multi-layered structure. 
     
     
         19 . The portable apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the second silencer component comprises a multi-layered structure that includes at least first and second layers that are substantially planar, wherein the at least one orifice is formed through both the first and second layers. 
     
     
         20 . The portable apparatus of  claim 16 , and further comprising a baffle positioned over at least a portion of the at least one orifice formed through the second silencer component.