US-20260128026-A1 - ACOUSTIC BARRIER METHOD AND SYSTEM

Abstract

A sound attenuation system, method, blanket and kit, reducing noise breakout from a source of noise to a target environment at a distance from the source of noise, the system comprising acoustic blankets comprising an external material selected for resistance to operating conditions, encasing a sound absorbent material, with sealing strips on at least part of a circumferential edge thereof; the sound absorbent material being selected to minimize noise reflection on surfaces of the blankets exposed to the source of noise; the sealing strips sealing gaps between adjacent blankets; at least one of brackets and straps being used to removingly secure the blanket to a frame.

Inventors

• William Laliberté
• Nicolas VERONNEAU
• MICHEL PEARSON

Assignees

• SYSTÈMES DE CONTRÔLE ACTIF SOFT DB INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251106

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A sound attenuation system reducing noise breakout from a source of noise to a target environment at a distance from the source of noise, comprising at least one acoustic blanket; wherein each blanket comprises an external material selected for resistance to operating conditions, encasing a sound absorbent material, with sealing strips on at least part of a circumferential edge thereof; the sound absorbent material being selected to minimize noise reflection on surfaces of the blanket exposed to the source of noise; the sealing strips sealing gaps between adjacent blankets; at least one of brackets and straps being used to removingly secure the blanket to a frame.
2. 2 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the external material is one of a reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabric and a fiberglass-reinforced PVC fabric selected for weldability to itself into an outer shell, and to the sealing strips, the outer shell having a density of 0.11 kg/m 2 ; and the sound absorbent material comprises at least one of rock wool, fiberglass wool, melamine foam, and polyester wool, of a density of 4.00 kg/m 2 , and a mass layer comprising one of butyl rubber, mass-loaded vinyl, and a non-metallic acoustic mass material having a density of at least approximately 5 kg/m 2 , wherein a combination of the outer shell and the sound absorbent material is selected in view of a total blanket density of at least 10 kg/m 2 , according to the source of noise and a targeted sound reduction.
3. 3 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the external material is one of a PVC and a fiberglass-reinforced PVC, and the sound absorbent material comprises one of rock wool, fiberglass wool, melamine foam, and polyester wool; the blanket further comprising one of: butyl rubber, mass loaded vinyl and a non-metallic material, selected in view of a minimum density for the blanket as a whole of 10 kg/m 2 , depending on the source of noise and of a targeted sound reduction.
4. 4 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the external material is shaped into forms a shell and is bonded to the sealing strips, by high frequency welding.
5. 5 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the external material is selected for acoustic transparency.
6. 6 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises poles and cross beams supporting the at least one blanket.
7. 7 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the frame is made in one of galvanized steel and aluminum.
8. 8 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises poles and cross beams supporting the at least one blanket.
9. 9 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one blanket comprises eyelets, for attachment to the frame using ties.
10. 10 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the sealing strips are ones of hook and loop fastener strips, open cell foam strips, strips of magnetic tapes and strips of adhesive tapes.
11. 11 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the sealing strips are in a material of a sound transmission class rating STC 25.
12. 12 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one blanket is secured to cross beams of the frame using the at least one of brackets and straps.
13. 13 . The sound attenuation system of claim 1 , wherein the frame is supported by one of the ground, concrete blocks and a foundation.
14. 14 . A sound attenuation method for reducing noise breakout from a source of noise to a target environment at a distance from the source of noise, comprising: providing a frame on one of a ground surface, a support and a foundation, between the source of noise and the target environment; providing at least one acoustic blanket; each blanket comprising an external material selected for resistance to operating conditions, encasing a sound absorbent material, with sealing strips on at least part of a circumferential edge thereof; the sound absorbent material being selected to minimize noise reflection on surfaces of the blanket exposed to the source of noise; and securing the at least one blanket to the frame, overlapping adjacent ones of the sealing strips.
15. 15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the frame comprises poles and cross beams; a top edge of the at least one blanket being fastened to a top cross beam of the frame by brackets, and a lower edge of the at least one blanket being secured to a bottom cross beam of the frame by straps.
16. 16 . An acoustic blanket, comprising an external material selected for resistance to operating conditions, encasing a sound absorbent material, with sealing strips on at least part of a circumferential edge thereof; the sound absorbent material being selected to minimize noise reflection on surfaces of the blanket exposed to a source of noise; the blanket being configured to be removingly secured to a frame, with adjacent ones of the sealing strips overlapping.
17. 17 . The blanket of claim 16 , wherein the external material is one of a PVC and a fiberglass-reinforced PVC, and the sound absorbent material comprises at least one of rock wool, fiberglass wool, melamine foam, and polyester wool.
18. 18 . The blanket of claim 16 , wherein the external material is one of a PVC and a fiberglass fabric, and the sound absorbent material comprises at least one of rock wool, fiberglass wool, melamine foam, and polyester wool, the blanket further comprising one of: butyl rubber, mass loaded vinyl and a non-metallic material, in view of a minimum density for the blanket as a whole of 10 kg/m 2 , depending on the source of noise and of a targeted sound attenuation.
19. 19 . The sound attenuation system of claim 16 , wherein the blanket comprises UV resistant heat and waterproof fiberglass-reinforced PVC, rock wool, and sound-blocking vinyl, for a total density of at least 10 kg/m 2 , depending on the source of noise and of a targeted sound attenuation.
20. 20 . A sound attenuation system kit, comprising at least one blanket according to claim 16 and the frame, the blanket configured to be removingly mounted to the frame using at least ones of brackets and straps, to form sound attenuation system between the source of noise and a target environment, the sealing strips overlapping between adjacent blankets in the sound attenuation system.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/716,778, filed on Nov. 6, 2024. All documents above are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to sound attenuation systems. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with an acoustic barrier method and system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As construction site screens are increasingly required due to noise management programs or governmental noise regulations, few alternative to barriers made of disposable plywood with rock wool are available. Existing sound attenuation systems suffer from performance issues and/or from a poor design. There is still a need in the art for acoustic barrier methods and systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sound attenuation system reducing noise breakout from a source of noise to a target environment at a distance from the source of noise, comprising at least one acoustic blanket; wherein each blanket comprises an external material selected for resistance to operating conditions, encasing a sound absorbent material, with sealing strips on at least part of a circumferential edge thereof; the sound absorbent material being selected to minimize noise reflection on surfaces of the blanket exposed to the source of noise; the sealing strips sealing gaps between adjacent blankets; at least one of brackets and straps being used to removingly secure the blanket to a frame. There is further provided a sound attenuation method for reducing noise breakout from a source of noise to a target environment at a distance from the source of noise, comprising providing a frame on one of a ground surface, a support and a foundation, between the source of noise and the target environment; providing at least one acoustic blanket; each blanket comprising an external material selected for resistance to operating conditions, encasing a sound absorbent material, with sealing strips on at least part of a circumferential edge thereof; the sound absorbent material being selected to minimize noise reflection on surfaces of the blanket exposed to the source of noise; and securing the at least one blanket to the frame, overlapping adjacent ones of the sealing strips. There is further provided an acoustic blanket, comprising an external material selected for resistance to operating conditions, encasing a sound absorbent material, with sealing strips on at least part of a circumferential edge thereof; the sound absorbent material being selected to minimize noise reflection on surfaces of the blanket exposed to a source of noise; the blanket being configured to be removingly secured to a frame, with adjacent ones of the sealing strips overlapping. Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the appended drawings: FIG. 1 shows a back view of an assembly according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 2A shows a back view of an assembly, facing an environment, opposite a source of noise, according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 2B shows the front view of the assembly of FIG. 2A, facing the source of noise; FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1, showing the front view thereof; FIG. 4 shows details of an assembly according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a close up view of FIG. 2A; FIG. 6A shows details of a structural frame according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 6B is a first close up view of FIG. 6A; FIG. 6C is a second close up view of FIG. 6A; FIG. 6D shows a detail of anchoring of a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 7 shows details of a frame of a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure; and FIG. 8 is a section of a blanket according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is illustrated in further detail by the following non-limiting examples. A blanket according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure generally comprises an outer shell encasing an internal sound absorbent material. The outer shell is made in a material selected for resistance to the surrounding environment, both on a side thereof exposed to the source of noise, and on the side thereof directed to a target environment to be shielded from the noise. The material of the shell may further be selected based on its compatibility with welding, such as high-frequency (HF) welding for example, in such a way that it may be welded both to itsel