Patent US5851626A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5851626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vehicle acoustic damping and decoupling system
Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1997-04-22
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Granted: 1998-12-22
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Expires: 2017-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle acoustic system is attachable over a vehicle interior sheet metal component. The system includes a bubble pack which has a first film layer and a second film layer secured to the first film layer, wherein the first and second film layers cooperate to form a plurality of pockets therebetween. The pockets include a gas disposed therein, such that the pockets are at least partially compressible. The bubble pack is adapted to be positioned in direct contact with the sheet metal component. The gas disposed in the pockets could be air or any other lightweight gas. A plurality of kinetic energy dissipating granules may be disposed within the pockets for enhanced noise isolation. Alternatively, damping liquids or gels may be disposed in the pockets. Various embodiments are described.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard McCorry
- 👤 Michael Dinsmore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:00
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/02; F16F15/023; B; B60; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/04; B60N3/048; B60R; B60R13/00; B60R13/08; B60R13/0815; B60R13/083; F16F7/00; F16F7/01; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23907; Y10T428/23979; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24661
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A vehicle acoustical system for attachment over a vehicle interior sheet metal component, comprising: a carpet layer; a sound barrier layer secured to the carpet layer; and a bubble pack comprising a first film layer and a second film layer secured to the first film layer, said first and second film layers cooperating to form a plurality of pockets therebetween, said pockets comprising a gas disposed therein such that the pockets are substantially compressible, said pockets including not more than approximately 25% by volume kinetic energy dissipating granules so that the granules only partially fill the pockets to maintain said compressibility to allow decoupling of the sound barrier layer from the sheet metal for improved isolation of noise, and wherein said bubble pack is adapted to be positioned in direct contact with the sheet metal component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A vehicle acoustical system for attachment over a vehicle interior sheet metal component, comprising: a carpet layer; a sound barrier layer secured to the carpet layer; and a bubble pack comprising a first film layer and a second film layer secured to the first film layer, said first and second film layers cooperating to form a plurality of pockets therebetween, said pockets comprising a gas disposed therein such that the pockets are substantially compressible, said pockets including not more than approximately 25% by volume kinetic energy dissipating granules so that the granules only partially fill the pockets to maintain said compressibility to allow decoupling of the sound barrier layer from the sheet metal for improved isolation of noise, and wherein said bubble pack is adapted to be positioned in direct contact with the sheet metal component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle acoustical system of claim 1, wherein said pockets comprise 0% by volume kinetic energy dissipating granules.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vehicle acoustical system of claim 1, further comprising a third film layer configured to contain the granules away from the barrier layer and closely adjacent the sheet metal component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle acoustical system of claim 1, wherein said pockets comprise sequentially varying heights for packaging and improved local decoupling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle acoustical system of claim 1, wherein each said pocket comprises a bottom portion, and the system further comprises a third film layer secured to the bottom portion of each said pocket for added structural integrity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle acoustical system of claim 1, wherein said pockets comprise a blow-molded structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle acoustical system of claim 1, wherein said pockets comprise a vacuum-formed structure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-21 | 2002-06-22 | 2002-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | 2006-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-21 | 2010-06-22 | 2010-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |