Acoustic-Structure Interaction in an Adaptive Helmholtz Resonator by Compliance and Constraint

Abstract The acoustic energy attenuation capabilities of traditional Helmholtz resonators are enhanced by various methods, including by coupled resonators, absorbing materials, or replacement of rigid walls with flexible structures. Drawing from these concepts to envision a new platform of adaptive Helmholtz resonator, this research studies an adaptive acoustic resonator with an internal compliant structural member. The interaction between the structure and acoustic domain is controlled by compression constraint. By applying uniaxial compression to the resonator, the flexible member may be buckled, which drastically tailors the acoustic-structure interaction mechanisms in the overall system. A phenomenological analytical model is formulated and experimentally validated to scrutinize these characteristics. It is found that the compression constraint may enhance damping capabilities of the resonator by adapting the acoustic-structure interaction between the resonator and the enclosure. The area ratio of the flexible member to the resonator opening and the ratio of the fundamental natural frequency of the flexible member to that of the enclosure are discovered to have a significant influence on the system behavior. These results reveal new avenues for acoustic resonator concepts exploiting compliant internal structures to tailor acoustic energy attenuation properties.