Consultants and researchers at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research University of Southhampton are predicting a busy year for noise and vibration experts. New laws in the EU covering noise and vibration levels in the workplace are coming into effect and it is expected that many companies will need assistance to comply with the laws.
Read the press release on the ISVR web site.
Lotus Engineering have released a product to tailor the noise inside vehicles. In addition the system can be used to actively cancel low frequency road noise and the firing noise from engine.
Read the press release on the Lotus web site.
Tenneco Automotive will be supplying Audi’s new A6 and A6 Avant vehicles with semi-active suspension systems. The Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension uses electro-mechanical valves to alter the damping of the suspension.
Read the press release on the Tenneco Automotive web site.
Honda was implemented an active noise control (ANC) system in two of their new cars: the Odyssey minivan and the Acura RL luxury sedan. The system is designed to reduce the noise inside the passenger cabin that originates from the engine.
Cornell University’s Nanoscale Facility (NSF) have created a silicon cantilever vibrating beams that are 6-10 microns long and can be used to identify the mass of molecules such as viruses and other pathogens.
For more information read the full article on the Cornell University web site.
The Active 2004 conference in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA was once again a fascinating conference. The topics that were covered were very broad that included new types of acoustic sensors, algorithms, fundamental studies in active aerodynamic control systems, psychoacoustics, and many practical installations of active noise control systems.
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Oki Electric Industry Company has released what they claim is the world’s thinnest tri-axial accelerometer that utilizes MEMS technology. The ML8950 detects tri-axis acceleration, inclination and vibration and outputs the signal in a digital format.
Bruel and Kjaer have released a new surface mount microphone (Type 4948) that is only 2.5mm in height. The microphone supports the TEDS identification system.
Read more on the Bruel and Kjaer web site.
Microstrain have released a set of wireless sensors such as tri-axial accelerometers, inclinometers, strain gauges, and thermocouples. The wireless devices have a range of about 30m.
ZF Sachs are selling Continuously Damping Control (CDC) shock absorbers that uses an electronic variable valve to control oil flow. The units were availabe in 2001 on the BMW 7 series as an option, and is now available on the VW Phaeton, and the Opel Astra.