Sound Dampening Hints

Radial blowers are widely used in medical, packaging, fuel cell and other applications for their efficiency in moving air or gas. However, their operation can produce significant noise, which poses challenges in environments requiring quiet operation. Fortunately, several sound-dampening techniques can effectively reduce blower noise while maintaining performance.

Soundproof Foam
Installing soundproof foam around the blower housing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce noise. Acoustic foam absorbs sound waves, minimising the reflection and amplification of noise generated by the blower’s moving parts and air turbulence. Foam-lined enclosures can further enhance soundproofing without obstructing airflow. Some consideration must be taken regarding the heat dissipation from the motor when enclosing in foam. But by utilising the intake air and passing this over the motor before it enters the blower inlet, self-cooling can be achieved alongside effective noise reduction. Here is a picture of a successful sound proof enclosure, featuring a Steady Motor blower, we collaborated with the CPAP machine manufacturer on this project to achieve <27dBa.

Baffles
Baffles are physical barriers designed to interrupt sound waves. Adding baffles to the blower’s intake and exhaust pathways helps dissipate noise before it escapes into the environment. These structures force sound waves to travel through a labyrinth-like path, reducing their intensity through absorption and reflection.

Lowering Operational Speed
Reducing the blower’s operating speed can significantly decrease noise levels. Since noise often scales with the speed of rotation, operating the blower at a lower speed – when feasible – can strike a balance between performance and noise reduction. Steady Motor driver boards allow precise control over blower speed, enabling operators to adjust settings to match specific noise and performance requirements.

Isolation Mounts
The rotors and impellers in Steady Motor blowers are finely balanced. But whilst vibrations can be minimised, they can’t be removed entirely and vibrations from the blower can amplify noise through contact with surrounding surfaces. Isolation mounts, such as rubber or spring-based mounts, can decouple the blower from its base, reducing the transmission of vibrations and associated noise.

Custom Enclosures
Designing custom acoustic enclosures for radial blowers can offer comprehensive noise reduction. These enclosures often combine soundproof foam, baffles, and isolation mounts to minimise noise at the source while protecting the blower from external environmental factors.
Steady Motor engineers have extensive experience in noise reduction techniques. Please do not hesitate to contact us for support with this area of your application.