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| Contact Information: Sergio Mazza, President and CEO SenSound, LLC Tel. 313-882-1065 Fax 313-731-0432 http://www.sensound.com/ sergio.mazza@sensound.com |
SenSound releases two new products to visualize noise
Detroit, MI, October 5, 2004 – SenSound announced today its release of SenAH, v.3.0, an enhanced version of its award-winning software technology. The product provides steady-state integrated sound visualization, enabling users to “see” sound and its contributing vibration modes in 3D space and time. SenSound also announced the release of SenNS 3.0, a similar software technology used for testing transient and non-stationary objects.
SenAH, v.3.0 features improved accuracy in reconstruction of the sound field generated by an object and the ability to identify the responsible vibration modes. It also boasts greater speed and ease of use and the ability to make A/B comparisons. According to Dr. Sean Wu, inventor of the SenSound technology and Charles DeVlieg Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University, “this improved technology allows people to identify the vibration modes that are responsible for sound.” All sound is generated by vibrations but not all vibrations can produce sound. By tracing the effect (sound) back to its source (certain vibration modes), “engineers will be able to quickly identify noise and vibration problems in the most cost-effective manner with a level of accuracy that will allow them to design the most effective noise abatement strategies”, he added.
SenAH, v.3.0 is used to investigate noise transmission through 3D objects such as instrument panels, door panels and cabin interiors as well as objects such as pumps and HVAC units. SenNS, 3.0 expands on the technology of SenAH, by focusing on a structure vibrating in a non-stationary manner, for example, diagnosing noise sources during an engine run up, copy machine cycles, slamming doors and other sources of noise that change over time or with RPMs.
SenSound has been extremely successful in meeting its customers’ needs. In one case, SenSound was able to quickly identify noise transmission in an instrument panel using a “peeling the onion” approach - - mapping sound intensity and pressure of the entire instrument panel - - first with the “skin” or dashboard cover on, and then with it removed. The technique successfully identified a blower as the major vibration energy source but also demonstrated that the dashboard “skin”, when attached, actually amplified the noise level and showed it happening in an unexpected location (Figure 1).
In another example, SenSound was able to reveal the changes in noise patterns of an engine run-up and guide the noise control solutions. Several microphone arrays were used to acquire acoustic pressure in the nearfield of an engine during run-up. Figure 2 below shows the order spectrum for a microphone in one of the arrays measuring the oil-pan and highlights the 96th order as the most prominent source of noise. Figure 3 below shows the spatial distribution of acoustic pressure of the oil pan surface at 1930 rpm for the 96th order. The sources of noise are identified as red spots. Further analysis at a different RPM values confirmed the source locations at that particular order.
According to Sergio Mazza, President of SenSound, “There is a broad array of noise diagnostic challenges that SenSound can very quickly resolve for its customers. SenSound can use its technology on anything that generates noise. Because we can cover such a broad frequency range and handle arbitrarily shaped objects, all of our attempts to identify unwanted sound sources have been successful.” Mazza continued, “Our customers have saved time, money and more importantly have been able to keep their own customers happy.”
SenSound technology will be featured at the Automotive Testing Expo North America at the Novi Expo on October 27 through 29, 2004. For more information about the expo, click on their website, http://www.testing-expo.com/usa/txu04home.html.
SenSound, LLC is a privately held company based in Detroit, Michigan. SenSound’s award winning proprietary technology creates three-dimensional digital images of sound as it travels through space and time. SenSound software is unique in its ability to quickly, accurately and cost effectively map sound sources on arbitrary three-dimensional surfaces. The technology has broad application in product development, manufacturing and architectures, where noise needs to be identified, understood and eliminated, or where manufacturing and machinery defects need to be identified.
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Figure 3