Active Segmented Trim Panels for Aircraft Interior Noise Control: Theory and Experiments

Abstract An active segmented trim panel for use as a secondary source for noise control in aircraft is designed, analyzed and tested. It consists of a rectangular segment of aircraft trim panel which is suspended by a flexible support. This support converts the stiff composite trim panel into flexibly-mounted pistons which can be driven by light-weight and low-profile force actuators. The active segmented trim panel offers an acoustic source of lower profile and lower mass, and requires only a simple modification of materials already installed on aircraft. This paper presents a summary of recent results of modeling and testing of an active trim panel configuration. Real-time noise control experiments are conducted using the active trim panels as secondary sources indicating that the present active segmented trim is a promising technology.