Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes providing an elastomeric layer in an uncured state. The elastomeric layer is pre-cured to increase its viscosity. Subsequently, a bobbin and housing, each having an end, can be positioned such that their ends extend at least partially into the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is cured to secure it to the bobbin housing. Examples of pre-cure and cure operations include one or more of a thermal cure, evaporative cure and ultraviolet cure, and the application of moisture, microwave energy and chemical additive. Due to the increased viscosity after the pre-cure, the migration of elastomeric material is substantially reduced relative to an uncured elastomeric material. The reduction in elastomeric material migration results in smaller menisci formed along the walls of the housing and bobbin, and reduced thinning of the compliant member formed at their ends.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes providing an elastomeric layer in an uncured state. The elastomeric layer is pre-cured to increase its viscosity. Subsequently, a bobbin and housing, each having an end, can be positioned such that their ends extend at least partially into the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is cured to secure it to the bobbin housing. Examples of pre-cure and cure operations include one or more of a thermal cure, evaporative cure and ultraviolet cure, and the application of moisture, microwave energy and chemical additive. Due to the increased viscosity after the pre-cure, the migration of elastomeric material is substantially reduced relative to an uncured elastomeric material. The reduction in elastomeric material migration results in smaller menisci formed along the walls of the housing and bobbin, and reduced thinning of the compliant member formed at their ends.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes providing an elastomeric layer in an uncured state. The elastomeric layer is pre-cured to increase its viscosity. Subsequently, a bobbin and housing, each having an end, can be positioned such that their ends extend at least partially into the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is cured to secure it to the bobbin housing. Examples of pre-cure and cure operations include one or more of a thermal cure, evaporative cure and ultraviolet cure, and the application of moisture, microwave energy and chemical additive. Due to the increased viscosity after the pre-cure, the migration of elastomeric material is substantially reduced relative to an uncured elastomeric material. The reduction in elastomeric material migration results in smaller menisci formed along the walls of the housing and bobbin, and reduced thinning of the compliant member formed at their ends.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an acoustic diaphragm, an oscillatory force source, a lever coupling the oscillatory force source to the acoustic diaphragm, and a pivot coupled to the lever such that the lever moves in an arcuate path about the pivot when the oscillatory force source applies a force to the lever. The pivot includes at least one torsion bushing. The at least one torsion bushing includes a first member, a second member coupled to the lever and movable relative to the first member, and an elastomeric member coupling the first member to the second member. Either the first member or the second member is coupled to and moves with the lever. An outer surface of the elastomeric member is coupled to the second member via mechanical compression.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes providing an elastomeric layer in an uncured state. The elastomeric layer is pre-cured to increase its viscosity. Subsequently, a bobbin and housing, each having an end, can be positioned such that their ends extend at least partially into the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is cured to secure it to the bobbin housing. Examples of pre-cure and cure operations include one or more of a thermal cure, evaporative cure and ultraviolet cure, and the application of moisture, microwave energy and chemical additive. Due to the increased viscosity after the pre-cure, the migration of elastomeric material is substantially reduced relative to an uncured elastomeric material. The reduction in elastomeric material migration results in smaller menisci formed along the walls of the housing and bobbin, and reduced thinning of the compliant member formed at their ends.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A bobbin for an electro-acoustic driver includes an outer surface, a substantially planar surface at an end of the bobbin, and a bobbin axis that is substantially coaxial with a housing axis. The bobbin is disposable inside a housing and configured to move along the bobbin axis. The substantially planar surface at the end of the bobbin is securable to an acoustic diaphragm. The bobbin includes one or more of (a) legs extending from the outer surface to the substantially planar surface, (b) a wall which extends about substantially all of a perimeter of the planar surface, and (c) a plurality of through holes in the substantially planar surface.

Abstract: An acoustic diaphragm made at least in part from an expanded material. The expanded material includes one or more of cellulose, synthetic fibers and glass fibers. The expanded material has more than about 55% by volume voids.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes an accordion-type structure that functions as both an acoustic radiation element and an acoustic seal. In one example, the transducer includes parallel, accordion-type structures that attach to a flat, rectangular diaphragm. The diaphragm is connected to a voice coil. The voice coil and an associated frame are positioned between a magnet arrangement. The magnet arrangement includes stacked magnet pairs positioned between pole pieces to focus magnetic flux.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an acoustic diaphragm, an oscillatory force source, a lever coupling the oscillatory force source to the acoustic diaphragm, and a pivot coupled to the lever such that the lever moves in an arcuate path about the pivot when the oscillatory force source applies a force to the lever. The pivot includes at least one torsion bushing. The at least one torsion bushing includes a first member, a second member coupled to the lever and movable relative to the first member, and an elastomeric member coupling the first member to the second member. Either the first member or the second member is coupled to and moves with the lever. An outer surface of the elastomeric member is coupled to the second member via mechanical compression.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes an accordion-type structure that functions as both an acoustic radiation element and an acoustic seal. In one example, the transducer includes parallel, accordion-type structures that attach to a flat, rectangular diaphragm. The diaphragm is connected to a voice coil. The voice coil and an associated frame are positioned between a magnet arrangement. The magnet arrangement includes stacked magnet pairs positioned between pole pieces to focus magnetic flux.

Abstract: An acoustic diaphragm made at least in part from an expanded material. The expanded material includes one or more of cellulose, synthetic fibers and glass fibers. The expanded material has more than about 55% by volume voids.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a storage media can comprise: a plastic substrate having a substrate composition, an optical layer having an optical layer composition different from the substrate composition, wherein the optical layer is a spin coated or injection molded; and a reflective layer disposed between the optical layer and the substrate. The storage media has a radial deviation over time of less than or equal to 1.15 degrees at a radius of 55 mm when exposed to a cycle at 25° C. of 50% relative humidity—90% relative humidity—50% relative humidity. In one embodiment, a method for making a data storage media, comprises: disposing a reflective layer on a plastic substrate, wherein the plastic layer comprises a thermoplastic, spin coating an optical layer onto the plastic substrate, wherein the optical layer comprises a thermoset, and disposing a protective layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A storage media can comprise: a plastic substrate, an optical layer, a reflective layer disposed between the optical layer and the substrate, and an adhesive layer disposed between the optical layer and the reflective layer. The optical layer can have an optical layer composition different from the substrate composition. The storage media has a radial deviation over time of less than or equal to 1.15 degrees at a radius of 55 mm, when exposed to a cycle at 25° C. of 50% relative humidity—90% relative humidity—50% relative humidity.

Abstract: A storage media having a radial deviation of less than or equal to about 1.15 degrees at a radius of 55 mm is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage media comprises: a plastic substrate, an optical layer and a data storage layer disposed therebetween. A reflective layer is disposed between the data storage layer and the substrate.