Sherbrooke, le 12 juin 2003 – Vehicle noise contributes to the overall noise level in many neighbourhoods. A team of researchers has developed a novel approach to test active noise control on engine cooling fans, which may create a quieter ride for future vehicle models. On June 18th, 2003, Dr. Patrice Masson will present some of the team's findings at the AUTO21 Scientific Conference in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Dr. Masson and Dr. Alain Berry, professors of mechanical engineering at Université de Sherbrooke and project leaders for the AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence, are coordinating the team of researchers investigating the issue.
“A radiator fan generates unwanted noise when the air flow through the blades is uneven,” says Dr. Masson. “We have developed an active noise control process that achieves a uniform sound power reduction of 10 decibels. The process uses a secondary noise source to generate an audio signal that “cancels out” a portion of the unwanted noise, and the noise itself is reduced by a total of 10 decibels.”
The team is also looking at controlling the road noise, transmitted from the tire/road contact to the cabin of the vehicle. As part of the AUTO21 Network, Dr. Masson and Dr. Berry coordinate the work of researchers from Université de Sherbrooke, McMaster University, McGill University and Simon Fraser University.
The AUTO21 2003 Scientific Conference will take place June 16-18, 2003 at the White Oaks Conference Resort in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Dr. Masson's presentation is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18. The conference is an annual event that highlights some of the Network's recent research results while providing a networking opportunity for the Network's 450 university and student researchers and additional industry and government representatives.
Other conference presenters include Michael Grimaldi, President of General Motors of Canada, and Gerald Fedchun, President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association. Additional conference information can be found on www.auto21.ca in the news and events section.
The Government of Canada awarded the AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence an initial four-year grant of $23 million in 2001 to help it enhance Canada's position as a world leader in automotive research and development. Researchers at 32 Canadian universities are working on innovative, auto-related projects in the areas of health, safety and injury prevention; societal issues; materials and manufacturing; design processes; powertrains, fuels and emissions; and intelligent systems and sensors. In addition to the federal grant, AUTO21 is supported by industry, government and institutional contributions of $11 million.
Networks of Centres of Excellence are unique partnerships among universities, industry, government and non-governmental organizations aimed at turning Canadian research and entrepreneurial talent into economic and social benefits for all Canadians. An integral part of the federal government's Innovation Strategy, these nation-wide, multidisciplinary and multisectorial research partnerships connect excellent research with industrial know-how and strategic investment.
Three Canadian federal granting agencies - the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) - and Industry Canada combine their efforts to support and oversee the NCE initiative.
– 30 –
Sources :
Gilles Pelloille, responsable des communications
(819) 821-8000, poste 3395
Courriel : Gilles.Pelloille@USherbrooke.ca
Stephanie Campeau, chef des communications, AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence
(519) 253-3000, poste 4129
Cel : (519) 890-3338