On optimal design of half-wave resonators for acoustic damping in an enclosure

Acoustic design parameters of a half-wave resonator are studied experimentally for purely acoustic tuning of the resonator. According to the standard acoustic-test procedures, acoustic-pressure signals in the model enclosure with the resonators are measured. Based on the signals, quantitative acoustic properties of damping factor and sound absorption coefficient are evaluated and thereby, the acoustic-damping capacity of the resonator is characterized. Sound absorption coefficient has the advantages of the damping factor in various aspects. The coefficient indicates clearly the tuning frequency of the resonator, absorption effectiveness as a function of frequency, and overall damping capacity. The diameter and the number of a half-wave resonator, its distribution, and the blockage ratio at its inlet are selected as design parameters for optimal tuning of the resonator in the model enclosure. The resonators with larger diameter have the advantage of those with smaller one with respect to purely acoustic damping at the tuning frequency. The optimum number of resonators or the optimum open-area ratio decreases as boundary absorption decreases. When the open-area ratio exceeds the optimum value, over-damping appears, leading to a decrease in peak absorption coefficient and a broadening of absorption bandwidth. Blockage at the resonator inlet controls both peak absorption coefficient and its absorption bandwidth and it can be considered one of design factors for acoustic tuning.