Project Details

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Noise Reduction and Acoustic Optimization of Miniature Diaphragm Pumps

Company: Dynaflo Inc.

Major(s):
Primary: ME
Secondary: EE

Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO

Intellectual Property: YES

Miniature diaphragm pumps are used in medical, analytical, industrial, and consumer equipment, but operating noise can limit their use in noise-sensitive environments. Noise may result from check-valve impact, diaphragm motion, flow pulsation, motor harmonics, structural resonance, and vibration transmitted through the pump housing and mounting system. The student team will characterize the acoustic and vibration behavior of a representative pump, identify the dominant noise sources and transmission paths, and develop multiple noise-reduction concepts. Potential design areas include valve geometry and materials, flow-path improvements, pulsation damping, diaphragm behavior, housing design, structural isolation, mounting methods, and motor operating conditions. The project goal is to identify practical design changes capable of reducing pump noise toward a target acoustic level of less than 30 dBA above ambient while maintaining acceptable flow, pressure or vacuum capability, efficiency, reliability, compactness, and manufacturability. Given the one-semester schedule, the required deliverables will include a documented test and analysis method, baseline acoustic and performance data, identification of dominant noise sources, evaluated design concepts, supporting calculations or simulations, CAD models, and recommendations for future development. Fabrication and testing of physical proof-of-concept components or pump modifications is encouraged where time and resources permit, but is considered a stretch deliverable rather than a required outcome.