Passive noise control methods applied to a household icemaker

摘要

Two icemakers were provided to the engineering program at the University of SouthernIndiana for educational testing and development. Three students worked sequentially overtwo years to quantify and localize the noise sources using sound pressure and soundintensity methods, and then implement various design modifications in order to reduce theoverall sound power by a goal of 3 dBA. Noise reduction was achieved during somemachine operating cycles, although the overall noise reduction goal was not obtained. Thestudents did learn one important finding in noise control engineering: that reducing thenoise of a well-developed and quiet product is a difficult task that requires expertise innoise assessment and control. This paper will also focus on findings from these studies thatare pertinent to the development of quieter refrigerators, freezers, and icemakers.