Abstract: In various embodiments, vibro-acoustic transducer arrangements in accordance herewith are optimized for sensing and transducing acoustic phenomena occurring within a patient's body, and manifesting themselves at the skin surface with frequencies ranging from 0.001 Hz to 10 kHz. Strategies for effectively coupling to the skin include judicious mismatching of mechanical impedance, the use of impedance-matching gels or liquids, a shaped (e.g., domed) pickup, material selection, and/or a peripheral leaf-spring arrangement permitting relative movement between inner and peripheral diaphragm portions. The spring stiffness or spring compliance of the leaf springs may be selectively chosen to optimize the frequency response of the sensor.

Abstract: A motor is disclosed. The motor includes a stator with a stator coil to generate a periodic unidirectional field current flowing through the stator coil and a rotor. An air gap is disposed between the stator and the rotor. The rotor has at least one rotor ring, a portion of the rotor ring is disposed in the air gap. Due to the unidirectional magnetic field, a periodic electric current is induced in the rotor ring. The electric current flowing through the portion of the rotor ring disposed in the air gap flows in a first direction to rotate the rotor relative to the stator.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a haptic system comprises at least one acoustic sensor; an amplifier for receiving electronic signals from the acoustic sensor and amplifying the received signals; at least one actuator, operatively connected to the amplifier, for vibrating in accordance with the amplified signals; and a support including at least one actuator, operatively connected to the amplifier, for vibrating in accordance with the amplified signals and conferring vibrotactile sensations corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A loudspeaker is disclosed. The loudspeaker includes a diaphragm with a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion is attached to the movable portion by a plurality of leaf springs disposed between the fixed portion and the movable portion of the diaphragm. A coil is disposed over the diaphragm in the movable portion of the diaphragm. A magnet assembly is operatively disposed relative to the coil, wherein upon flow of current through the coil, the movable portion of the diaphragm moves relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a haptic system comprises at least one acoustic sensor; an amplifier for receiving electronic signals from the acoustic sensor and amplifying the received signals; at least one actuator, operatively connected to the amplifier, for vibrating in accordance with the amplified signals; and a support including at least one actuator, operatively connected to the amplifier, for vibrating in accordance with the amplified signals and conferring vibrotactile sensations corresponding thereto.

Abstract: In various embodiments, vibro-acoustic transducer arrangements in accordance herewith are optimized for sensing and transducing acoustic phenomena occurring within a patient's body, and manifesting themselves at the skin surface with frequencies ranging from 0.001 Hz to 10 kHz. Strategies for effectively coupling to the skin include judicious mismatching of mechanical impedance, the use of impedance-matching gels or liquids, a shaped (e.g., domed) pickup, material selection, and/or a peripheral leaf-spring arrangement permitting relative movement between inner and peripheral diaphragm portions. The spring stiffness or spring compliance of the leaf springs may be selectively chosen to optimize the frequency response of the sensor.

Abstract: A motor is disclosed. The motor includes a stator with a stator coil to generate a periodic magnetic field and a rotor. An air gap is disposed between the stator and the rotor. The rotor has at least one rotor ring, a portion of the rotor ring is disposed in the air gap. Due to the magnetic field, a periodic current is induced in the rotor ring. The current flowing through the portion of the rotor ring disposed in the air gap flows in a first direction to rotate the rotor relative to the stator.

Abstract: A loudspeaker is disclosed. The loudspeaker includes a diaphragm with a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion is attached to the movable portion by a plurality of leaf springs. A coil is disposed over the diaphragm in the movable portion of the diaphragm. A magnet assembly is operatively disposed relative to the coil, wherein upon flow of current through the coil, the movable portion of the diaphragm moves relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: An electromagnetic voice coil actuator comprises a pot core magnet structure having a magnetic flux conductive core, a field coil within the pot core magnet structure for generating magnetic field through the magnetic flux conductive core and across an air gap, a voice coil disposed within the air gap. The voice coil and the field coil are each driven by an amplified signal derived from the audio input signal to create an actuation force, wherein the pot core magnet structure uses a soft magnet core.

Abstract: A magnet-less electromagnetic voice coil actuator comprises a pot core magnet structure having a magnetic flux conductive core, a field coil within the pot core magnet structure for generating magnetic field through the magnetic flux conductive core and across an air gap, a voice coil wound on a voice coil former forming an under-hung voice coil design within the air gap and an electronic signal processor configured to split an audio input signal into a positive definite field coil signal and a bipolar voice coil signal. The voice coil and the field coil are each driven by an amplified signal derived from the audio input signal to create an actuation force. The bipolar voice coil signal is adjusted so that the product of the bandwidth limited positive definite field coil current and the bipolar voice coil current, hence the actuation force, is a linear function of the bipolar audio input current.