Resonance free compressor inlet acoustic suppressor

Abstract

A system for attenuating sound comprises an air compressor with an inlet, the inlet in fluid communication with an ambient environment. An inlet conduit extends from the inlet to the ambient environment, and an expansion volume is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit. A throttling valve or pressure relief valve is located between the expansion volume and the ambient environment, the throttling valve configured to regulate the flow of sound waves from the expansion volume, thereby attenuating the sound from the air compressor entering the ambient environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for attenuating sound, comprising:
 an air compressor comprising an inlet, the inlet in fluid communication with an ambient environment;   an inlet conduit extending from the inlet to the ambient environment;   an expansion volume in fluid communication with the inlet conduit; and   a valve located between the expansion volume and the ambient environment, the valve configured to regulate a flow of sound waves from the expansion volume, thereby attenuating the sound from the air compressor entering the ambient environment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured to substantially eliminate resonance from the sound of the air compressor entering the ambient environment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the inlet conduit comprises a conduit outer diameter and the expansion volume comprises a volume outer diameter, the volume outer diameter being larger than the conduit outer diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a throttling valve. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the valve is located within 0-25% of a length of the inlet conduit extending from the air compressor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the valve is located within 0-25% of a length inlet conduit extending from the ambient environment. 
     
     
         8 . A system for attenuating sound, comprising:
 an air compressor comprising an inlet, the inlet in fluid communication with an ambient environment;   an inlet conduit extending from the inlet to the ambient environment;   an expansion volume in fluid communication with the inlet conduit;   a valve located between the expansion volume and the ambient environment, the valve configured to regulate a flow of sound waves from the expansion volume, thereby attenuating the sound from the air compressor entering the ambient environment; and   a controller configured to control operation of the valve.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the valve is configured to substantially eliminate resonance from the sound of the air compressor entering the ambient environment. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust the valve based on the sound from the air compressor. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the inlet conduit comprises a conduit outer diameter and the expansion volume comprises a volume outer diameter, the volume outer diameter being larger than the conduit outer diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the valve is a throttling valve. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the valve is a pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the valve is located within 0-25% of a length of the inlet conduit extending from the air compressor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the valve is located within 0-2 5 % of a length inlet conduit extending from the ambient environment. 
     
     
         16 . A compressor, comprising:
 an inlet, in fluid communication with an ambient environment;   an inlet conduit extending from the inlet to the ambient environment;   an expansion volume in fluid communication with the inlet conduit; and   a valve located between the expansion volume and the ambient environment, the valve configured to regulate a flow of sound waves from the expansion volume, thereby attenuating a sound from the compressor entering the ambient environment.   
     
     
         17 . The compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the valve is configured to substantially eliminate resonance from the sound of the compressor entering the ambient environment. 
     
     
         18 . The compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the inlet conduit comprises a conduit outer diameter and the expansion volume comprises a volume outer diameter, the volume outer diameter being larger than the conduit outer diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The compressor of  claim 17 , wherein the valve is a throttling valve. 
     
     
         20 . The compressor of  claim 17 , wherein the valve is a pressure relief valve.