Analysis of foldable acoustic arrays from piecewise linear, conformal, and tessellated topologies

Arrays of acoustic sources distributed over the tessellated frameworks of origami-inspired folding patterns demonstrate exceptional and straightforward adaptivity of acoustic wave guiding architecture to contrast to the challenges manifest in digital wave guiding control methods. Yet, when the concept of folding arrays is applied to tessellations formed by single patterns, acoustic fields with distinct distributions of energy delivery cannot be realized. To overcome this limitation, here multiple folding patterns are assembled by piecewise geometries that permit the array to conform to unique topologies when reconfigured by physical folding actions. An analytical model is developed to predict the acoustic pressure radiated from the acoustic sources arranged on piecewise-continuous surfaces, while experiments are conducted to demonstrate the concept and validate the model. Parametric investigations are then undertaken to uncover the relations of modularity and folding of the acoustic array and the resulting acoustic energy delivery and distributions. The results find that the assembly of tessellated arrays from multiple distinct folding pattern sub-elements may replicate the acoustic wave guiding of complex acoustic sources that traditionally do not enable adaptive wave radiation properties.