Noisy enclosures present a problem of great importance to the Army's Command and Control Operations On-the-Move for Future Combat Systems. Examples of these noisy enclosures are Command and Control communications shelters and vehicles. Fully equipped communication shelters are extremely noisy. A unique and effective solution to the noise problem in both fixed and mobile shelters is offered. The solution is based on the development of Acoustically Intelligent Surfaces using our Smart Skin technology. This solution is energy and space efficient. By adapting a state-of the-art, proactive sound and vibration management technology into the walls of the shelters, the sound energy is diverted and otherwise moved to regions where it does not hinder the mission. The focus of this SBIR is to apply the Energy Flow Control technology to the walls and ceiling of an Army Command and Control communications shelter to maintain noise levels below 65dBA. This will be accomplished via our Energy Flow Control design and control methodology in conjunction with sensor/actuator arrays attached to the walls and ceiling that will channel and shovel the noise to regions where it does not interfere with the operations in a shelter. The feasibility of the AIS concept was demonstrated in Phase I. We plan to build and evaluate AIS-based prototypes in this Phase II project.Acoustically Intelligent Surfaces have application in military and commercial segments of the aerospace and automobile industries. Commercially, Acoustically Intelligent Surfaces have applications in existing noise sensitive environments such as aircraft, automobile, truck, farm equipment, rail, space and industrial operations.
Keywords: energy flow control, smart skin, noise, vibration, shelters
