Hummble is excited to introduce a groundbreaking innovation to the market: the world's first active noise reduction system tailored for heating and refrigeration equipment. Leveraging cutting-edge Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology, previously synonymous with headphones and audio devices, our system addresses the pervasive issue of tonal compressor noise in heat pumping products.
Tackling the Tonal Noise Predicament in Urban Environments
Global demand for heat pumps is skyrocketing, which is great news for the environment. However, as the number of deployed units grows, so does their noise footprint.
“The annoyance caused by a noise cannot be solely attributed to its loudness. Consider the example of a mosquito buzz; it may have low sound power, yet it is considered one of the most annoying sounds. This annoyance is primarily due to the high tonality of the sound, which measures the prominence of specific tones in relation to the overall noise” explained Luka Banović, one of the founders of Hummble. Tonality can be understood as a representation of “annoyance”.
How can ANC technology make heat pumps quieter?
Tonal, low-frequency compressor noise is the one that penetrates through closed windows. This type of noise is also the most challenging to mitigate using conventional noise reduction techniques.
The ANC technology requires placing a loudspeaker and a set of microphones and sensors inside the heat pump unit. The team at Hummble are the first to transform this concept into a readily available off-the-shelf system.
"Our system capitalizes on the unique capabilities of active noise cancelling technology, filling the gaps where traditional techniques fall short. We've designed it to be autonomous and adaptive, making integration into various heating and refrigeration products effortless," stated Luka.
Versatility in Design: Seamlessly Integrated or Retrofitted
Hummble boasts a versatile design, primed for integration into OEM equipment while retrofitting into the already-deployed products remains a viable option. Hummble is optionally equipped with cellular connectivity, utilizing the Blues Wireless Notecard Cellular, providing global cellular coverage via LTE CAT-1, CAT-M, or NB-IoT. This enables independent system monitoring and full-scale compatibility, independent from the product manufacturer.
Luka concludes, "Our mission revolves around reducing the menace of excessive nighttime environmental noise in urban areas across Europe. Exposure to environmental noise, particularly during nighttime hours, frequently precipitates the early onset of cardiovascular and hearing-related disorders, already burdening global healthcare systems with annual costs exceeding 100 billion USD. We aim to contribute our expertise in acoustics and active noise reduction wherever possible."
