David Yantek

Publications (2) View all

• Source

  Available from: cdc.gov

  Article: A control suite to reduce roof bolting machine drilling noise.

  M Jenae Lowe, J Shawn Peterson, Lynn Alcorn, David Yantek
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  ABSTRACT: Among underground coal miners, hearing loss remains one of the most common occupational illnesses. In response, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research to reduce the noise emission of various underground coal mining equipment, an example of which is a roof bolting machine. Field studies support the premise that, on average, drilling noise is the loudest noise that a roof bolting machine operator would be exposed to and contributes significantly to the operators' noise exposure. NIOSH has determined that the drill steel radiates a significant amount of noise during drilling. NIOSH in collaboration with Corry Rubber Corporation has developed a suite of controls to reduce drilling noise which consists of a bit isolator, chuck isolator, and a Collabsible Drill Steel Enclosure. This control suite effectively reduces the noise radiated by the drill steel. Laboratory testing confirms that the control suite reduces sound pressure levels generated during drilling by 13 dB(A) at the operator's location. As a result of this reduction in drilling noise, the noise exposure of the roof bolting machine operator is reduced.
  The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 03/2010; 127(3):1874. · 1.55 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: cdc.gov

  Article: Evaluation of stiffeners for reducing noise from horizontal vibrating screens.

  David Yantek, Shawn Catlin
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  ABSTRACT: Sound levels around vibrating screens in coal preparation plants often exceed 90 dB(A). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is developing noise controls to reduce noise generated by horizontal vibrating screens. NIOSH determined the vibration mechanism housings and the screen body to be the dominant noise sources on a horizontal vibrating screen. Researchers used beamforming, experimental modal analysis, and operating deflection shape analysis to examine noise radiated by the screen body. Based on these results, finite element analysis and a NIOSH-written program were used to estimate the sound power level reduction resulting from adding rib stiffeners to key locations on the screen sides. Rib stiffeners made from two sizes of steel channel and two different cross-sections, C and T, were evaluated. In addition, the effects of orienting the stiffeners horizontally and vertically were examined. Finally, the stiffeners were evaluated with the ends welded to the existing ribs on the screen sides and with the ends free. The results indicate that for a broadband input, the smaller T cross-section oriented vertically with the ends welded to the existing ribs was the best option. This configuration reduced the predicted A-weighted sound power level by 7 dB.
  The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 03/2010; 127(3):1874. · 1.55 Impact Factor