Patent Abstract:
A dynamic responsive acoustic tuning envelope system that includes a movably connected set of cells, each possessing sound reflecting, sound absorbing, and/or electro-acoustic properties, and which are assembled according to the principles of rigid origami. So configured, the system is capable of both localized surficial deformation to alter the material surface exposure, transform its textural profile, and alter the enclosed volume of space in a single material envelope, thereby tuning the acoustics of the environment in which the system resides.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/608,985, filed Mar. 9, 2012, is hereby claimed and the entire contents thereof are incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to a system for tuning the acoustic envelope of a designated space and, more particularly, to a dynamic system for tuning the acoustic envelope within a designated space. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Within the field of contemporary acoustic design, numerous products and systems have been developed that may be added to the interior of an existing space to modify the sound reflecting and sound absorbing characteristics of that space. Evidence of this work is ubiquitous and typically involves reflector panels, variable absorption curtains, and/or electro-acoustic systems often operating in tandem to produce the desired acoustic outcomes. Dynamic “sound clouds” offer a computationally-controlled set of sound reflecting surfaces that can be digitally actuated in response to changing acoustic demands by virtue of variations in their physical deployment and orientation. 
         [0004]    “Responsive Envelopes” constitute an area of architectural research that pursues the design of multi-functional surfaces that adjust their formal configuration in response to varying environmental conditions in order to transform the envelope&#39;s impact upon its environment. While there have been few efforts to synthesize variable acoustic response into single geometric surface-based systems capable of producing modifications in aural characteristics, there has not been the development of a composite envelope-based system that possesses the capacity for predictive volumetric and surficial performance variation based on the alteration of its surface and/or volumetric characteristics while simultaneously configuring electro-acoustic amplification within the system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    One aspect of the present disclosure provides a system including an acoustic shell, a plurality of hinges, a plurality of surficial actuators, and a control system. The acoustic shell comprises a plurality of panels arranged in a tessellated pattern relative to one another, the plurality of panels including at least one sound reflecting panel and at least one sound absorbing panel. The at least one sound reflecting panel has an exposed surface a majority of which comprises a sound reflecting surface. The at least one sound absorbing panel has an exposed surface a majority of which comprises a sound absorbing surface. The plurality of hinges connect edges of at least some of the panels to edges of immediately adjacent panels such that each panel is movably connected to at least one other panel. Each of plurality of surficial actuators is connected between at least two of the plurality of panels for moving the two panels relative to each other such that the plurality of surficial actuators can manipulate the plurality of panels to change the overall sound reflecting and sound absorbing properties of the acoustic shell. The controller is for at least controlling the surficial actuators. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a venue comprising a housing, an acoustic shell, a plurality of hinges, a plurality of surficial actuators, and a control system. The housing defines a space having ambient properties. The acoustic shell is suspended within the space of the housing, and includes a plurality of panels arranged in a tessellated pattern relative to one another. The plurality of panels include at least one sound reflecting panel and at least one sound absorbing panel. The at least one sound reflecting panel has an exposed surface a majority of which comprises a sound reflecting surface. The at least one sound absorbing panel has an exposed surface a majority of which comprises a sound absorbing surface. The plurality of hinges connect edges of at least some of the panels to edges of immediately adjacent panels such that each panel is movably connected to at least one other panel. Each of the plurality of surficial actuators is connected between at least two of the plurality of panels for moving the two panels relative to each other such that the plurality of surficial actuators can manipulate the plurality of panels to change the overall sound reflecting and sound absorbing properties of the acoustic shell. The controller is for at least controlling the surficial actuators. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of controlling the acoustics of a space. The method includes determining a set of desired acoustic characteristics for a space. The method additionally includes determining a desired sound absorbing property of a tessellated acoustic shell that is suspended within the space, the tessellated acoustic shell comprising a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels including at least one sound reflecting panel and at least one sound absorbing panel, the at least one sound reflecting panel having an exposed surface a majority of which comprises a sound reflecting surface, the at least one sound absorbing panel having an exposed surface a majority of which comprises a sound absorbing surface. The method further includes determining a desired sound reflecting property of the tessellated acoustic shell. Still further, the method includes adjusting actual sound absorbing and sound reflecting properties of the tessellated acoustic shell toward the desired sound absorbing and reflecting properties by moving at least one of the plurality of panels of the tessellated acoustic shell relative to each other. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one example of a system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view and partial exploded perspective view of an acoustic shell of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view an partial exploded view of the acoustic shell of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of one example of a control system for an acoustic system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of another example of a control system for an acoustic system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of an origami pattern utilized in the system of  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7A-7C  are sectional perspective views of another example of a system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of an alternative origami pattern for use in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of another alternative origami pattern for use in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The present disclosure is directed to a dynamic responsive acoustic tuning envelope system that, in one example, includes a continuous composite membrane-connected set of cells, each possessing sound reflecting, sound absorbing, or electro-acoustic properties that are assembled according to the principles of rigid origami. So configured, the system is capable of both localized surficial deformation to alter the percentage material surface exposure, transform its textural profile, and alter the enclosed volume of space in a single material envelope. The panelized system is unified by its connection to the continuous composite flexible membrane, to which leading edge exposed surfaces and framed backpanels are affixed. The connection to the membrane can be achieved by way of adhesive or by way of mechanical fixtures such as clamps or other devices. One example of the system could include the following types of panels: (i) solid sound reflecting panels including a total material thickness of 1¼″ and possessing a material density of 2.5 psf, (ii) sound absorbing panels consisting of a ¼″ thick face panel perforated to provide a minimum of 25% exposure to, and backed with 2″ of porous extruded polypropylene milled to meet the geometric requirements of the overall system limitations in extreme conditions of flat-folding, and, optionally, (iii) electro-acoustic panels consisting of an internally milled 3/16″ resonating panel equipped with a piezoelectric acoustic transducer. In this way, the panel becomes a Distributed Mode Loudspeaker (DML), in which sound is produced by inducing uniformly distributed vibration modes in the panel through a special electro-acoustic exciter. DMLs function differently than most other speakers, which typically produce sound by inducing pistonic motion in the diaphragm. Exciters for DMLs include, but are not limited to, moving coil and piezoelectric devices, and are placed to correspond to the natural resonant model of the panel. 
         [0018]    The specific geometric configuration and percentage of each panel within the total envelope design of the present disclosure are determinate of desired overall system performance of a specific space. Localized deformation of the system surface geometry can be achieved via a number of linear actuators—determined by the degrees of freedom of the geometric configuration, mounted to the reverse surface (e.g., back side) of the sound absorbing panel (or other panel) assemblies and causes localized contraction (and expansion) of the corresponding facial exposure of each panel. By virtue of rigid origami structures, these actions are conveyed to other locations within the envelope through a determinate number of degrees of freedom. In addition to this localized surficial deformation, gross deformation to alter the overall acoustic volume enclosed by the system can be achieved through triangulated cable-stayed suspension linked to a frame mounted stepper motor array above, or through any other suitable device. Actuation controls and system signals can be sent to the envelope wirelessly through a control system capable of utilization towards a variety of performance goals. 
         [0019]    Potential applications of the system range from large scale field deployment in the design of musical performance venues with multiple performance types (e.g., musical content and audience configuration), flexible entertainment venues with varying spatial and performance demand (e.g., convention centers, auditoria, etc.), specialized venues for multimedia presentations (e.g., boardrooms, meeting rooms, etc.), lecture halls, gymnasiums, classrooms, work spaces that benefit from environmental acoustic control, highly specialized experimental music performance venues where multichannel playback through electro-acoustic panels can be paired with dynamic real-time actuation of the system, and virtually an unlimited number of other types of similar venues and spaces. The system may also be capable of responding to occupancy (e.g., the presence or the lack of presence of individuals in the space) and noise levels through material exposure (e.g., in educational spaces, galleries, restaurants, etc.). 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Turning now to the figures, various representative examples of systems and methods in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure will be described. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts one example of a system  10  based on the principles of the present disclosure that includes one (1) to three (3) acoustic shells  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  suspended from a ceiling  102  of a space  104  (e.g., auditorium, gymnasium, lobby, concert venue, classroom, etc.). The acoustic shells  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  depicted in  FIG. 1  are essentially identical in construction, and therefore, the reference numeral  100  will be used generically to refer to any one of the shells  100   a - 100   c . Each shell  100  includes a plurality of panels  106  arranged in a tessellated pattern and pivotally connected to each other such as to allow localized surficial deformation of the acoustic shell  100 . The plurality of panels  106  of the example depicted in  FIG. 1  include sound reflecting panels  106   a  and sound absorbing panels  106   b . Additionally, in this example, one of the shells includes at least one electronics panel  106   c  as part of a control system, as will be described. The electronics panel  106   c  may or may not possess a sound reflecting or sound absorbing property. In the depicted example, the panels  106  are configured in accordance with the geometric properties of rigid origami utilizing two different sizes of triangles. More specifically, the sound reflecting panels  106   a  include triangles of a first size, while the sound absorbing panels  106   b  include triangles of a second size that is smaller than the first size. This is merely one example, however, and other sizes and shapes of panels can be used, as will be discussed more below. Additionally, as can be seen, the sound absorbing panels  106   b  of this example are arranged in clusters  107  (one of which is highlighted in  FIG. 1  with a darkened perimeter line) that themselves define larger triangles. 
         [0022]    So configured, and as can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the foremost and middle acoustic shells  100   a ,  100   b  are depicted in partially opened/partially closed configurations, whereby the sound reflecting panels  106   a  are completely exposed to the space and the sound absorbing panels  106   b  are partially exposed to the space. Said another way, the sound absorbing panels  106   b  are partially folded such that each cluster  107  defines a variable interior volume of space in the form of a recess in the shell  100 . By comparison, the rear-most acoustic shell  100   c  is depicted in a fully opened flat configuration, whereby the sound reflecting panels  106   a  and the sound absorbing panels  106   b  are completely exposed to the space and occupy a common flat plane. The foremost and middle shells  100   a ,  100   b  depicted in  FIG. 1  therefore possess distinctly different sound reflecting and absorbing properties than the rear-most acoustic shell  100   c  because the orientation of exposed sound sound reflecting panels  106   a  and exposed sound absorbing panels  106   b  is different. Moreover, the angular orientation of the sound absorbing panels  106   b  and the magnitude of the internal volumes defined by the clusters  107  impact the way that sound is reflected and absorbed by each of the shells  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c.    
         [0023]    As mentioned, each shell  100  is capable of localized surficial deformation such that in  FIG. 1 , for example, any of the shells  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  can be expanded to occupy the opened configuration such that is by the rear-most shell  100   c , or can be contracted to occupy a closed configuration, whereby the sound absorbing panels  106   b  are collapsed upon each other in a manner that the only exposed surfaces of the shell  100  include those of the sound reflecting panels  100   a . In such a configuration, the clusters  107  of sound absorbing panels  106   b  are essentially closed upon themselves such that the previously existent recesses are of zero volume. To achieve this local deformation, the shells  100  are equipped with a plurality of mechanical actuators (not seen in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  depicts one of the shells  100  of  FIG. 1  from a top side  108  (i.e., the side facing the ceiling  102  in  FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 2  additionally includes an exploded perspective view of each of the various panels  106  of the shell  100 . 
         [0025]    As mentioned above, the individual panels  106  of the shell  100  are pivotally connected to each other such as to allow for localized surficial deformation. In one example, the panels  106  have chamfered side edges to provide for the necessary free range of motion and are connected to each other by way of mechanical or chemical means of mating adjacent elements across the system so as to produce continuity of the membrane and flexural hinge system. In one example, the flexible membrane can include a rubber or other synthetic material adhered to a front side of supporting frames of the panels  106 , as will be described, via an adhesive such as 3M™ VHB™ Tape or mechanical clamping detail mating face plate to frame element and integral membrane. So configured, the flexible membrane can serve as a flexural hinge between the panels  106 . Preferably, the flexible membrane can be cut to include openings and appropriate geometries not to interfere with the acoustic properties of the panels  106  themselves. In other examples, the shell  100  does not use a flexible membrane for the hinge, but rather another type of hinge such as a barrel hinge or other mechanical coupler enabling the desired range of movement could be used. In yet another example, the hinge could be provided for by a piece or sheet of shape memory alloy, for example, creating a foldable joint between adjacent panels  106 . The shape memory alloy may then be manipulated between an at least partially folded state and a flat state depending on the magnitude of an electric charge applied to the alloy to move (e.g., pivot) the panels  106  relative to each other. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top side  108  of each shell  100  includes a plurality of actuators  110  arranged for imparting localized surficial deformation of the shell  100 . In the present example, each actuator  110  attaches between two adjacent sound absorbing panels  106   b  generally perpendicular to the joint between the panels  106   b . This allows for the localized contraction and expansion of the sound absorbing panels  106   b , the movement of which naturally results in movement of the sound reflecting panels  106   a  to accomplish the various configurations of the shell  100  as discussed above with reference to  FIG. 1 . In one example, the actuators  110  include linear actuators that are electrically driven, magnetically driven, or otherwise suitable for the intended purpose. Other types of actuators can also be used. While the actuators  110  are described in this example as being connected to the sound absorbing panels  106   b , the other examples could alternatively or additionally include the actuators  110  connected to the sound reflecting panels  106   a  depending of the origami pattern utilized and the desired functional objectives. 
         [0027]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the upper portion illustrates exploded views of the sound reflecting panels  106   a , the sound absorbing panels  106   b , and the electronics panel  106   c  of the shell  100 . Additionally, as will be described below,  FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of an optional electro-acoustic panel  106   d , one or more of which could be included in the shell  100 . As can be seen, each of the panels  106  comprises a composite structure. 
         [0028]    The sound reflecting panels  106   a  include an exposed surface layer  112 , a backing frame  114 , a solid infill panel  116 , and a backing layer  118 . In  FIG. 2 , the exploded view of the sound reflecting panel  106   a  is also depicted as including a portion  115  of the aforementioned flexible membrane disposed between the exposed surface layer  112  and the backing frame  114 . Although the membrane  115  is illustrated as being cut to the size of the panel  106   a , this is only for the sake of illustration to show the sandwiched positional relationship of the membrane relative to the other components of the panel  106   a . In practice, the portion  115  constitutes a segment, which is aggregated with other similar portions through the incorporation of adhesive seams, for example, to form a continuous sheet of the flexible membrane, which also forms part of the composite structure of the other panels  106  of the shell  100 , as will be described. 
         [0029]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the solid infill panel  116  is disposed within the backing frame  114  and may be in contact with or in close proximity to the exposed surface layer  112  across a majority of the area of the exposed surface layer  112 . The backing layer  118  assists in holding the solid infill panel  116  in position. In one example, the exposed surface layer  112 , backing frame  114 , and backing layer  118  can be constructed of wood, bamboo, aluminum, plastic, or any other suitable material and can be secured together with any suitable fastener (e.g., a mechanical fastener, an adhesive fastener, or otherwise). The solid infill panel  116  can be constructed of any one of a variety of materials having a combination of material characteristics and dimensional thickness constituting an overall material density of 2.5 psf. In one example, the solid infill panel  116  can be a 1 and ¼″ thick piece of bamboo plywood, but other materials having different thicknesses can be used to achieve the desired objective. 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIG. 2  and in combination with  FIG. 3 , the sound absorbing panels  106   b  of the shell  100  include a perforated surface layer  120 , a backing frame  122 , a sound absorbing fill panel  124 , and a backing layer  126 . In  FIG. 2 , the exploded view of the sound absorbing panel  106   b  is also depicted as including a portion  125  of the aforementioned flexible membrane disposed between the perforated surface layer  120  and the backing frame  122 . Similar to that described above with respect to the sound reflecting panels  106   a , although the portion  125  of the membrane is illustrated as being cut to the size of the sound absorbing panel  106   b , this is only for the sake of illustration to show the sandwiched positional relationship of the membrane relative to the other components. In practice, the portion  125  constitutes a segment, which is aggregated with other segments by way of adhesive seams, for example, to form a continuous sheet of the flexible membrane that also includes portion  115 . As such, the membrane connects the sound reflecting and absorbing panels  106   a ,  106   b  together, as discussed above. 
         [0031]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2  and with reference to  FIG. 3 , the perforated surface layer  120  of the sound absorbing panel  106   b  is bonded to the backing frame  122  with the portion  125  of the flexible membrane (shown in  FIG. 2 ) sandwiched therebetween. The sound absorbing fill panel  124  is formed such as to fit within the backing frame  122  and have a surface that lies in contact with or in close proximity to the perforated surface layer  120 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sound absorbing fill panel  124  also defines a recess  128 , in which the backing layer  126  is received and affixed. The backing layer  126  provides a solid panel for securing to the actuators  110 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , for example. In one example, the perforated surface layer  120 , the backing frame  122 , and backing layer  126  can be constructed of wood, bamboo, aluminum, plastic, or any other suitable material. The sound absorbing fill panel  124  can be constructed of a porous expanded polypropylene material or some other material having suitable acoustic absorption properties. 
         [0032]    As mentioned, the sound reflecting and absorbing panels  106   a ,  106   b  of the present application include sound reflecting and absorbing characteristics. The sound reflecting and absorbing characteristics of the sound reflecting and absorbing panels  106   a ,  106   b , respectively, can both be expressed in terms of sound absorption coefficients. Table 1, set forth immediately below, provides sound absorption coefficients across a range of frequencies for each of the panels  106   a ,  106   b  of one example of the system of the present disclosure. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 — 
                 Frequency (Hz) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 — 
                 125 
                 250 
                 500 
                 1k 
                 2k 
                 4k 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Sound Absorbing 
                 5-10  
                 15-25 
                 75-85 
                 80-90 
                 85-95 
                 80-90 
               
               
                 Material-Absorption 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Coefficients (×10 −2 ) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Sound Reflecting Panel- 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Absorption 
                 10 
                 15 
                 10 
                 5 
                 5 
                 5 
               
               
                 Coefficients (×10 −2 ) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0033]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the electronics panel  106   c  for the shell  100  of the present example is similar to the sound reflecting panels  106   a  in that it includes an exposed surface layer  128 , a backing frame  130 , and a backing layer  132 . Also, like the sound reflecting and absorbing panels  106   a ,  106   b  discussed above, the electronics panel  106   c  includes a portion  135  of the aforementioned flexible membrane disposed between the exposed surface layer  128  and the backing frame  130 . Although the membrane  135  is illustrated as being cut to the size of the panel  106   c , this is only for the sake of illustration to show the sandwiched positional relationship of the membrane relative to the other components of the panel  106   c . In practice, the portion  135  constitutes a segment, which is aggregated with other segments by way of adhesive seams, for example, to form a continuous sheet of the flexible membrane, which also includes the portions  115 ,  125  of the sound reflecting and absorbing panels  106   a ,  106   b . Finally, as shown, the electronics panel  106   c  includes an electronics set  134  that constitutes a portion of the control system for controlling the localized surficial deformation of the shell  100  including controlling the actuation of the actuators  110 . The individual components of the electronics set  134  will be described more fully below, and the exposed surface layer  128 , backing frame  130 , and backing layer  132  essentially serve to accommodate the storage of the electronics set  134 . That is, the backing frame  130  is bonded to and sandwiched between the exposed surface later  128  and backing layer  132  such that a cavity is formed for containing the electronics set  134 . 
         [0034]    Finally, as mentioned, the shell  100  of the present example may optionally include one or more electro-acoustic panels  106   d . The electro-acoustic panel  106   d  is constructed generally identical to the electronics panel  106   c , in that it includes an exposed surface layer  136 , a backing frame  138 , a backing layer  140 , and a portion  145  of the flexible membrane. However, instead of including the electronics set  134 , the electro-acoustic panel  106   d  includes an acoustic transducer  142  (also depicted in  FIG. 3 ) that turns the electro-acoustic panel into a Distributed Mode Loudspeaker (DML). The acoustic transducer  142  is mounted to the backing layer  140  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the electro-acoustic panel  106   d  to produce the desired functionality. 
         [0035]    As discussed above, the sound absorbing panels  106   b  of the present example are movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to one another and relative to the sound reflecting panels  106   a  by way of the actuators  110  to change, alter, and adjust the acoustic properties of the shell  100 . Moreover, in examples that include one or more electro-acoustic panels  106   d , those panels  106   d  become acoustic generators that can further influence acoustic properties of the shell  100  and any space in which the shell  100  is suspended. 
         [0036]    To achieve the desired controls, any system  10  of the present application can be equipped with a control system  200  such as that depicted in  FIG. 4 . The control system  200  includes a programmed logic controller (PLC)  202 , a logic transmitter  204 , an optional audio transmitter  206  (for shells  100  that include electro-acoustic panels  106   d ), the electronics set  134  carried by the electronics panel  106   c  described above, the actuators  110 , and one or more optional acoustic transducer  142  (for shells  100  that include electro-acoustic panels  106   d ), each carried by one or more optional electro-acoustic panels  106   d . The electronics set  134  carried by the electronics panel  106   c  includes a controller  208 , a power supply  210 , and an optional amplifier  212  (for shells  100  that include electro-acoustic panels  106   d ). The PLC  202  can be a personal computer for example. The logic transmitter  204  can be a wireless transmitter in data communication with the controller  208 , which in turn, is in data communication with the actuators  110  either via wires or wirelessly. In one example, the logic transmitter can include an XBee wireless transmitter and the controller  208  can include an Arduino FIO controller. In examples that include electro-acoustic panels  106   d , the audio transmitter  206  communicates wirelessly with the amplifier  212 , which in turn, communicates either via wires or wirelessly with the DMLs. The power supply  210  on the electro-acoustic panel  106   d  provides power to the electronics set  134  and to the actuators  110  and acoustic transducers  142 , if necessary. 
         [0037]    So configured, in order to adjust the configuration of the panels  106  of the shell  100 , the PLC  202  sends instructions to the on-board controller  208  via the logic transmitter  204 , for actuating any one or more of the actuators  110  to arrive at the desired configuration of the shell  100 . Additionally, in examples that include the electro-acoustic panels  106   d , the PLC  202  sends audio signals to the on-board amplifier  212  via the audio transmitter  206 . The on-board amplifier  212  then amplifies the audio signal and supplies it to the desired acoustic transducers  142 , which then function to resonate their respective panels and create the desired audio output. The aforementioned logic for controlling the actuators  110  may be logic that is pre-programmed in the PLC  202  to achieve a desired acoustical result based on some pre-determined parameters. For example, if the shell  100  is included within a concert hall that is hosting a rock concert, the PLC  202  might be manually instructed (e.g., by a sound engineer) to apply a first set of logic to actuate the actuators  110  and configure the shell  100  in a first configuration. However, if subsequently, the same concert hall was hosting the concert of a classical pianist, the PLC  202  might be manually instructed (e.g., by a sound engineer) to apply a second set of logic to actuate the actuators  110  and configure the shell  100  in a second configuration that is distinct from the first. 
         [0038]    Alternatively, the shell  100  could be equipped with a more sophisticated control system  300  (e.g., shown in  FIG. 5 ) for controlling the configuration of the shell  100  based on real-time changes in the acoustical environment in which the shell  100  resides. More specifically, the shell  100  could include a control system  300  that is capable of changing the configuration of the shell  100  based on one or more determinations made as a function of the ambient properties of the environment. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , such a control system  300  could include a programmed logic controller (PLC)  302 , a logic transmitter  304 , the electronics set  134  carried by the electronics panel  106   c  described above, the actuators  110 , and one or more optional acoustic transducers  142  (for shells  100  that include electro-acoustic panels  106   d ), each carried by one or more optional electro-acoustic panels  106   d , and any one or more of a plurality of sensors  306 . The electronics set  134  carried by the electronics panel  106   c  includes a controller  308 , a power supply  310 , and one or more optional amplifiers  312  (for shells  100  that include electro-acoustic panels  106   d ). 
         [0039]    The PLC  302  can be a personal computer, for example. The logic transmitter  304  can be a wireless transmitter in communication with the personal computer and in data communication with the controller  308 , which in turn, is in data communication with the actuators  110  either via wires or wirelessly. In one example, the logic transmitter  304  can include a wireless transmitter and the controller  308  can include a wireless receiver, each operating in accordance with the Narada multicast protocol. The one or more sensors  306  can include at least one of an acoustic pressure sensor for sensing sound in the space, an infrared projector for irradiating infrared light waves into the space, a digital camera for sensing profiles of reflective light in the space, a temperature sensor for detecting temperatures or temperature profiles in the space, and/or any other suitable type of sensor capable of obtaining information suitable for the intended purpose. In one example, the one or more sensors  306  utilizes a combination of infrared and camera-based technologies such as that implemented in the Kinect™ technology to sense the occupancy and/or movement of individuals in the space around and/or below the shell  100 . In examples that include electro-acoustic panels  106   d , the logic transmitter  304  can also communicate wirelessly with the amplifiers  312 , through the logic receiver  308 . The amplifiers  312  thereby, in turn, communicate either via wires or wirelessly with the acoustic transducers  142 . The power supply  310  on the electro-acoustic panel  106   d  provides power to the electronics set  134  and to the actuators  110  and acoustic transducers  142 , if necessary. 
         [0040]    With this alternative control system  300 , the system  10  of the present disclosure can be capable of detecting in real-time the ambient properties of the space and adjusting the configuration of the one or more shells  100  to have a desired acoustic effect. For example, through the use of acoustic pressure sensors, the control system  300  can determine that a room has too much or too little reverberation and it can adjust the configuration of one or more shells  100  that are suspended in the space accordingly. Furthermore, through the use of Kinect™ technology, the control system  300  can determine where in a room a crowd of people may or may not be gathered, and thereby the system  300  can adjust the configuration of one or more shells  100  that are suspended in the space to achieve a desired acoustic effect. 
         [0041]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each shell  100  of the system  10  thus far described has a finite number of panels  106 . For example, in  FIG. 2 , the shell  100  includes fifty-four (54) total panels including 42 sound absorbing panels  106   b , one (1) electronics panel  106   c , and the remaining eleven (11) panels  106  can all be sound reflecting panels  106   a , or one or more of them may optionally include electro-acoustic panels  106   d . This shell  100 , however, is merely one example of a system  10  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. In fact, due to the repeatability of the rigid origami construct employed, the number of panels  106  in any given shell  100  can be limitless. This is exhibited by the schematic illustration depicted in  FIG. 6 , as well as  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C. 
         [0042]    The dark outlined central portion of the tessellated pattern shown in  FIG. 6  constitutes an area equal to the number of panels of the shell  100  described above, but any shell  100  can be expanded to include any number of panels  106 , as illustrated. Thus, the size and range of configurations of any shell  100  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure is limitless. Moreover, while in  FIG. 1 , each of the panels  106  are depicted as being easily distinguishable with the human eye, advances in micro-control technology could allow for the panels  106  to be reduced in size such that entirety of the shell  100  appears to be a single continuous fluid-like body with pivoting joints that could only be detected upon close inspection. 
         [0043]    With this understanding,  FIGS. 7A-7C  depict another embodiment of a system  1000  including a shell  1100  suspended from a ceiling  1002  of a space (e.g., a concert hall) by way of a suspension system  1200 . The shell  1100  can be constructed in accordance with the teachings for the shells  100  described above, with the only difference being the number of panels  106 . However, instead of having multiple shells  100  occupying a common space, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the system  1000  of  FIGS. 7A-7C  includes a single shell  1100  of much larger gross dimensions. As shown, the suspension system  1200  can include a series of vertical suspension members  1204  for hanging the shell  1100 , as well as one or more gross displacement actuators  1206  for adjusting the position of different portions of the shell  1100  relative to the ceiling  1002 . The suspension members  1204  might include cables, wires, rack and pinion structures, or any other suitable component. The gross displacement actuators  1206  might include motors, pulleys, etc. By comparing  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C, actuation of the various gross displacement actuators  1206  adjusts the position of various portions of the shell  1100  relative to the ceiling  1002 , thereby adjusting the magnitude and shape of the volume of the space located beneath shell  1100 , which in turn, directly impacts the acoustics. This gross motor deformation of the shell  1100 , combined with the localized surficial deformation described above provides another layer to the adjustability and dynamically tunable environment that the present disclosure enables. 
         [0044]    While the shells  100  and  1100  thus far disclosed have been described as including panels  106  having two different size triangles in accordance with the rigid origami pattern depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6 , for example, this patter is only a single example and the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the shells  100 ,  1100  could include panels  106  comporting to any suitable contractable/expandable rigid origami patter such as those depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In  FIG. 8 , each of the sound absorbing panels  106   b  are equally sized triangles, while the sound reflecting panels  106   a  are square panels. In  FIG. 9 , the panels  106  include a combination of triangular panels  106   a  and hexagonal panels  106   b . Any suitable configuration of panels is within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, in any of the foregoing examples, the identification of which panels are sound reflecting and which are sound reflecting is only by way of example. In  FIG. 1 , for example, the shells  100  could be reconfigured such that the larger panels constituted the sound absorbing panels and the smaller panels constituted the sound refleting panels, or still further, some large and small panels could be sound absorbing and/or some large and small panels could be sound absorbing. 
         [0045]    From the foregoing, the various systems and methods of the present disclosure offer advantages by packaging an acoustic solution into a lightweight system capable of aggregation, and can be customized within overarching geometries by substituting panel types into a range of existing spaces and configuration. The dual-actuation capacity (i.e., the surficial and gross volumetric deformations) allows for significant variation in spatial volume. Back-mounted operation via the actuators and suspension systems permit uncluttered exposed surface areas exposed to view and can be constructed to be aesthetically appealing and functional. The system design offers the control of both early acoustic energy (i.e., the sound reflections occurring shortly after the direct sound at both the listener and the performer locations) and late acoustic energy (i.e., diffusion and reverberation) through the sound absorbing and sound reflecting panels as well as dynamic electro-acoustic amplification simultaneously in a single system. 
         [0046]    Finally, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples disclosed in the specification above, but rather, is defined by the spirit and scope of the pending claims and is intended to encompass all variations and substitutions that fall within the claims, as well as the disclosure including the drawings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4