Cummins' Technology Center Celebrates 10 Years of Sound Leadership
FRIDLEY, Minn., June 30, 2022 /3BL Media/ - Cummins Inc.’s Acoustical Technology Center (ATC) at the company’s Power Generation facility in Fridley, Minnesota, is celebrating its 10th anniversary playing a critical role in the delivery of the quietest power generation products on the planet.
The center is the largest of its kind in the world, with a hemi-anechoic chamber that is 105 feet long, 80 feet wide and 36.5 feet high, capable of recording precision-grade acoustical data from 20 Hertz (Hz) to 20,000 Hz – the entire range of human auditory recognition.
Noise emission regulations around the world require power solutions of all shapes and sizes to not exceed certain noise thresholds. To meet those rigorous acoustic requirements, highly scientific and precise testing is essential.
“The ATC is a magnificent house of sound,” said Gary Johansen, Vice President of Engineering for Cummins Power Systems. “We recognized the need for an investment like this and wanted to make sure we had a world-class facility to deliver world-class solutions.”
Prior to the ATC, noise testing was conducted at an outdoor facility but due to harsh weather conditions in Minnesota and uncontrolled climate and outdoor background noise levels, the accuracy of the noise testing was compromised.
The ATC includes patented anechoic wedges that line the interior of the chamber, designed with “metadyne” perforated-metal to achieve a 50 Hz cutoff. The chamber is also equipped with a sophisticated ventilation system that transfers air at a rate of 222,500 cubic feet per minute while maintaining a regulated temperature and humidity level.
“The ATC is also a significant investment for the future,” added Johansen. “Today, we have been testing diesel and natural gas gensets, as well as other industrial equipment. But what we are quickly moving towards is testing hydrogen fuel cells, energy storage systems, and power electronics that control and manage the movement of power between assets and sources; so, in the future we may be testing fewer engines, and more new technologies.”
The 10-year anniversary of the Acoustical Technology Center coincides with the launch of Cummins Destination Zero, the company’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Destination Zero and the ATC are both demonstrations of Cummins’ commitment to environmentally safe and sustainable products.
