Patent attributes
A panel (10) for sound suppression consists of a multiplicity of rigid elements (12) that extend parallel to each other, with gaps between adjacent rigid elements. Within each gap a vortex chamber (15) is defined to attenuate acoustic waves. The elements (12) may have curved edge portions (14), the edge portions (14) of adjacent elements (12) overlapping to define the vortex chamber (15), and also defining a first channel (16a) and a second channel (16b) communicating with the vortex chamber (15) at its periphery and aligned with a tangential component, such that if a fluid were to flow in through either channel (16a or 16b) the fluid would enter the vortex chamber (15) with a rotational sense relative to the vortex chamber (15), the rotational sense being the same for both the channels (16a, 16b). Such a sound-attenuating panel may for example be used as part of a wall of a loudspeaker housing (50).