Speaker = fire extinguisher??

[labrat]

Hi all

I was reading the April 06 Boys Life with my Tiger Cub when we ran across an article that described extinguishing a candle with a 120 db 55 hz tone. Since that is not something to pass up we donned ear protection and gave it a try. I ran a disc with tones 5 hz apart starting at 20 with no luck. We should have measured with the spl - but didn't so I don't know how close to 120 we got. We did manage to blow out the candle when we put it right in front of the sub with the grill removed (it went out about 35 hz). Can anyone out there get at least 120 db at 55 hz? If so I would love to hear the results.

Scott

[Zero]

Did the book tell you what distance the candle should be from the source of this noise? I am assuming that this book is assuming this is to be done in a regular "house" room.

You can get a candle to blow out in and around 80db if you put it right by a port....

[audiobliss]

Are you talking about the air or the sound waves 'blowing' out the candle? Is it even possible for the sound waves to do that?

[Dennis Gardner]

Each speaker would do it at different frequencies based on their tuning points. Sealed or ported would make quite a difference too.

[Toxis]

if it's the frequency and level of output that would put out the flame, the type of enclosure would not effect the outcome if it is at 55htz at 120db. sealed or ported, it was still the same frequency at the same frequency.

[audiobliss]

sealed or ported, it was still the same frequency at the same frequency.

Glad to see that if something's at the same frequency, then it's at the same frequency. ;)

[Dennis Gardner]

if it's the frequency and level of output that would put out the flame, the type of enclosure would not effect the outcome if it is at 55htz at 120db. sealed or ported, it was still the same frequency at the same frequency.

My thoughts were that the candle could be put out by airflow from woofer movement at different levels of pressure, depending on the box design and woofer travel as labrat found.

I agree that 120db at 55hz could create a soundwave that could do the job, not simply the airflow. I don't want to be in the room with it though.

[jdhdiggs]

I know my SVS ports could blow out a candle at about 3 feet when it's being pushed. No doubt in my mind. It has levetated a file folder at 1 foot.

[Demiurge]

I know my SVS ports could blow out a candle at about 3 feet when it's being pushed. No doubt in my mind. It has levetated a file folder at 1 foot.

haha, that's awesome.

[jdhdiggs]

Yup, set it up in 16Hz mode and play a 16Hz tone, crank the amp and feel the tornado!

[labrat]

The magazine article we were reading was talking about putting out fires in space. If you use a conventional extinguisher the foam gets everywhere and recks the equipment. To avoid that they were talking about using sound waves - and hearing protection.

My sub is sealed so it has no port. Just wondering if anyone could replicate the 120 db 55 hz tone and see if it works.

Thanks to any that can help with this experiment,

Scott

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I know my SVS ports could blow out a candle at about 3 feet when it's being pushed. No doubt in my mind. It has levetated a file folder at 1 foot.

LOL when I first read this I read it as file cabinet instead of file folder for some reason.

I was like 'JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!'

[Tour2ma]

Are you talking about the air or the sound waves 'blowing' out the candle? Is it even possible for the sound waves to do that?

Same thing. Sound waves are just energized air.

In my youth, I blew out matches with the woofers of Lafayettes. Distance was probably around 6". Volume was set to "loud".

Then again, I also blew out some woofers.

[bikezappa]

labrat

It is true. A more interesting experiment is to make an Air Cannon which can easily blow out a candle 20 feet away. Do a google Air Cannon search for the best dimension, diameter and length. It's basically a tube with a rubber cover at one end, similar to a long drum. Bang or hit the rubber and a blast of air will travel across the room to blow out the candle. You can feel the air hit you also.

The Germans were investigating this air cannon during WW2 to shoot down planes because they were running out of ammunition. They thought the plane would loose control and crash. The Germans were going to use explosives instead of a rubber cover. It didn't work however.

For the sub to blow out the candle I think you need lower frequencies.

Have a blast.

Peter

[audiobliss]

Wow. That's interesting. Using sound waves to put out fires in space? Cool!

[bikezappa]

Space, do you mean like outer space like in orbit? There is no air to move out there.

[George Grand]

Yup, and wasn't the saying "Nobody can hear you scream" out there? Leading me to the question, that if a tree fell down in outer space..........and there was nobody around to hear it..........if they were there to hear it.........would they hear it?




I'm sure I could do 120db at 55Hz, but I'm not allowed to play with candles.

[neomagus00]

Space, do you mean like outer space like in orbit? There is no air to move out there.

well, in actual 'space', there's no air to allow something to burn, either... presumably they're talking about fires inside the ISS or shuttle or something...

[labrat]

You got it, they mentioned that a conventional extingusher gets foam everywhere and recks the equipment. I assume they are looking at sound as it is less destructive.

Anyone have any luck with soundwaves rather than port airflow?

Scott