Patents Assigned to Polk Audio, LLC
  • Patent number: 12356168
    Abstract: A loudspeaker transducer diaphragm or cone (e.g., 201, 301 or 401) is configured with arcuate protrusions that project distally from the main forward or distal surface 230 to provide stiffening and a break-up of resonant vibration modes when the loudspeaker is in use. The protrusions (e.g., 210, 310 or 410) are convex on one surface 230 and concave on the opposite surface 234, so their average thickness is similar to the frustoconical areas of the cone, i.e. they are shell-like in nature rather than solid mounds or walls. The protrusions 210 are generally curved as they run radially from the inner opening 204 to the outer peripheral edge to encourage modal break-up (suppressing strong vibrational modes, e.g., as in region 155).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventors: Sean O′Brien, Stuart W. Lumsden
  • Patent number: 12335673
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a speaker assembly (100) comprising a driver (120), a clamp (105), a retainer (118) and a compressible ring (116). The clamp (105) comprises a cavity (226) in which the driver (120) is located. The retainer (118) is configured to compress the compressible ring (116) against the clamp (105) at a pre-determined compression such that the driver (120) is manually pivotable within the cavity (226). The present disclosure also relates to a method (900) of manufacturing a speaker assembly (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: POLK AUDIO, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Westcott, Michael L. Strange, Kurt Solland
  • Patent number: 12323759
    Abstract: A loudspeaker driver or tweeter (e.g., 100, 200 or 300) having a voice coil connected with a loudspeaker diaphragm (e.g., 106, 206 or 306), having a substantially circular diaphragm portion which is connected with or rests upon a voice coil attachment segment (e.g., 104, 204, 304). The diaphragm also includes a first central elliptical (non-circular-shaped) inner roll portion (e.g., 112, 212, 312) defining a central recessed area and a second, outer elliptical (non-circular-shaped) roll portion (e.g., 108, 208, 308) so the central portion and the outer roll portion that have substantially elliptical edge circumferences with substantially circular central peripheral edges to define diaphragm segments with a varying radial Chord lengths having non-uniform diameter dimensions (inside diameter to outside diameter) and when in use, the excursion of the diaphragm is controlled such that any breakup modes are minimized and the associated resonances are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventor: Sean O'Brien, Sr.
  • Patent number: 12256208
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a loudspeaker transducer comprising a diaphragm (112), a frame (120), an inner suspensions element (118) and an outer suspension element (110). The diaphragm (112) comprises a portion turning inwards (102) towards the frame (120). The outer suspension element (110) is located closer than the inner suspension element (118) to the main opening of the frame through which the loudspeaker transducer radiates sound. The inner suspension element (118) is connected to the frame (120) and the inward turning portion (102). The inner suspension element (118) is connected to the inward turning portion (102) at an outer end (203) of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: POLK AUDIO, LLC
    Inventor: Sean O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20240422474
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system (700 or 800) and method for tuning ported loudspeakers and reducing unwanted acoustic resonances provides reduced port noise, eliminates undesired port resonances and improves the accuracy and fidelity of reproduced sound in a loudspeaker system of relatively high efficiency with an enclosure including an Eigen Tone Filter structure (“ETF”) comprising a pipe or set of pipes 720, 820 placed inside a loudspeaker vent to absorb the “open pipe” acoustic resonance of the vent. The open-pipe resonance is unwanted and interferes with the midrange performance of the loudspeaker, when in use, if not corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventors: Scott ORTH, Jens-Peter B. AXELSSON
  • Publication number: 20240381029
    Abstract: A loudspeaker transducer diaphragm or cone (e.g., 201, 301 or 401) is configured with arcuate protrusions that project distally from the main forward or distal surface 230 to provide stiffening and a break-up of resonant vibration modes when the loudspeaker is in use. The protrusions (e.g., 210, 310 or 410) are convex on one surface 230 and concave on the opposite surface 234, so their average thickness is similar to the frustoconical areas of the cone, i.e. they are shell-like in nature rather than solid mounds or walls. The protrusions 210 are generally curved as they run radially from the inner opening 204 to the outer peripheral edge to encourage modal break-up (suppressing strong vibrational modes, e.g., as in region 155).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: Polk Audio LLC
    Inventors: Sean O'Brien, Stuart W. Lumsden
  • Patent number: 12120494
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system (200) includes an overhead sound image generating (e.g., ATMOS™) elevation sound projecting loudspeaker transducer or array (210) for reproducing an elevation signal and a second cancellation loudspeaker or transducer array (250) for generating and projecting a direct signal cancellation. The cancellation speaker or array (250) is driven with a filtered, polarity reversed version of the elevation signal to cancel undesired direct sound (160) from elevation speaker (210) which would otherwise diminish the quality of elevation signal reproduction for a listener L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Orth
  • Patent number: 12075208
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system (700 or 800) and method for tuning ported loudspeakers and reducing unwanted acoustic resonances provides reduced port noise, eliminates undesired port resonances and improves the accuracy and fidelity of reproduced sound in a loudspeaker system of relatively high efficiency with an enclosure including an Eigen Tone Filter structure (“ETF”) comprising a pipe or set of pipes 720, 820 placed inside a loudspeaker vent to absorb the “open pipe” acoustic resonance of the vent. The open-pipe resonance is unwanted and interferes with the midrange performance of the loudspeaker, when in use, if not corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Orth, Jens-Peter B Axelsson
  • Publication number: 20240251205
    Abstract: A forced ventilation woofer or electromechanical transducer (e.g., 200 or 300) includes a motor structure and voice coil winding support structure or former (203 or 303) configured with a vented annular spacer (e.g., 250) and vented distal pole tip member (e.g., 255) having aligned radial channels aimed to transport heat away from a voice coil (202 or 302) during the transducer's reciprocating movement while providing an extended, linear dynamic range and continuous cooling for the voice coil. A dual magnetic gap embodiment has an inside annular spacer member (e.g., 355A) and a co-planar outside annular spacer member (e.g., 350-O), each made of a thermally conductive steel alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventor: Sean O'Brien
  • Patent number: 12047735
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system (700 or 800) and method for tuning ported loudspeakers and reducing unwanted acoustic resonances provides reduced port noise, eliminates undesired port resonances and improves the accuracy and fidelity of reproduced sound in a loudspeaker system of relatively high efficiency with an enclosure including an Eigen Tone Filter structure (“ETF”) comprising a pipe or set of pipes 720, 820 placed inside a loudspeaker vent to absorb the “open pipe” acoustic resonance of the vent. The open-pipe resonance is unwanted and interferes with the midrange performance of the loudspeaker, when in use, if not corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Orth, Jens-Peter B Axelsson
  • Publication number: 20240214758
    Abstract: A multi-driver multi-channel single enclosure Height-Channel (e.g., ATMOS™ or DTS-X®) enabled soundbar loudspeaker system 260 uses a novel signal processing system, driver mounting configuration (310L, 310R) and method to provide a high fidelity home theater listening experience, in a manner which relies on a new method for cancellation of unwanted direct (not ceiling-bounced) radiation of the Height-Channel (or virtual height envelopment) channel's sound 213DS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventors: Brad STAROBIN, Scott ORTH, Stuart W. LUMSDEN
  • Publication number: 20240171900
    Abstract: A loudspeaker driver or tweeter (e.g., 100, 200 or 300) having a voice coil connected with a loudspeaker diaphragm (e.g., 106, 206 or 306), having a substantially circular diaphragm portion which is connected with or rests upon a voice coil attachment segment (e.g., 104, 204, 304). The diaphragm also includes a first central elliptical (non-circular-shaped) inner roll portion (e.g., 112, 212, 312) defining a central recessed area and a second, outer elliptical (non-circular-shaped) roll portion (e.g., 108, 208, 308) so the central portion and the outer roll portion that have substantially elliptical edge circumferences with substantially circular central peripheral edges to define diaphragm segments with a varying radial Chord lengths having non-uniform diameter dimensions (inside diameter to outside diameter) and when in use, the excursion of the diaphragm is controlled such that any breakup modes are minimized and the associated resonances are minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventor: Sean O'BRIEN, SR.
  • Patent number: 11974111
    Abstract: A loudspeaker transducer diaphragm or cone (e.g., 201, 301 or 401) is configured with arcuate protrusions that project distally from the main forward or distal surface 230 to provide stiffening and a break-up of resonant vibration modes when the loudspeaker is in use. The protrusions (e.g., 210, 310 or 410) are convex on one surface 230 and concave on the opposite surface 234, so their average thickness is similar to the frustoconical areas of the cone, i.e. they are shell-like in nature rather than solid mounds or walls. The protrusions 210 are generally curved as they run radially from the inner opening 204 to the outer peripheral edge to encourage modal break-up (suppressing strong vibrational modes, e.g., as in region 155).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventors: Sean O'Brien, Stuart W. Lumsden
  • Patent number: 11937061
    Abstract: A forced ventilation woofer or electromechanical transducer (e.g., 200 or 300) includes a motor structure and voice coil winding support structure or former (203 or 303) configured with a vented annular spacer (e.g., 250) and vented distal pole tip member (e.g., 255) having aligned radial channels aimed to transport heat away from a voice coil (202 or 302) during the transducer's reciprocating movement while providing an extended, linear dynamic range and continuous cooling for the voice coil. A dual magnetic gap embodiment has an inside annular spacer member (e.g., 355A) and a co-planar outside annular spacer member (e.g., 350-O), each made of a thermally conductive steel alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventor: Sean O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11937066
    Abstract: A multi-driver multi-channel single enclosure Height-Channel (e.g., ATMOS® or DTS-X®) enabled soundbar loudspeaker system 260 uses a novel signal processing system, driver mounting configuration (310L, 310R) and method to provide a high fidelity home theater listening experience, in a manner which relies on a new method for cancellation of unwanted direct (not ceiling-bounced) radiation of the Height-Channel (or virtual height envelopment) channel's sound 213DS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Starobin, Scott Orth, Stuart W. Lumsden
  • Patent number: 11889258
    Abstract: A loudspeaker driver or tweeter (e.g., 100, 200 or 300) having a voice coil connected with a loudspeaker diaphragm (e.g., 106, 206 or 306), having a substantially circular diaphragm portion which is connected with or rests upon a voice coil attachment segment (e.g., 104, 204, 304). The diaphragm also includes a first central elliptical (non-circular-shaped) inner roll portion (e.g., 112, 212, 312) defining a central recessed area and a second, outer elliptical (non-circular-shaped) roll portion (e.g., 108, 208, 308) so the central portion and the outer roll portion that have substantially elliptical edge circumferences with substantially circular central peripheral edges to define diaphragm segments with a varying radial Chord lengths having non-uniform diameter dimensions (inside diameter to outside diameter) and when in use, the excursion of the diaphragm is controlled such that any breakup modes are minimized and the associated resonances are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventor: Sean O'Brien, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20230199394
    Abstract: A forced ventilation woofer or electromechanical transducer (e.g., 200 or 300) includes a motor structure and voice coil winding support structure or former (203 or 303) configured with a vented annular spacer (e.g., 250) and vented distal pole tip member (e.g., 255) having aligned radial channels aimed to transport heat away from a voice coil (202 or 302) during the transducer's reciprocating movement while providing an extended, linear dynamic range and continuous cooling for the voice coil. A dual magnetic gap embodiment has an inside annular spacer member (e.g., 355A) and a co-planar outside annular spacer member (e.g., 350-O), each made of a thermally conductive steel alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventor: Sean O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11611830
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer (e.g., 200 or 300) includes a motor structure and voice coil winding support structure or former (203 or 303) configured with a vented annular spacer (e.g., 250) and vented distal pole tip member (e.g., 255) having aligned radial channels aimed to transport heat away from a voice coil (202 or 302) during the transducer's reciprocating movement while providing an extended, linear dynamic range and continuous cooling for the voice coil. A dual magnetic gap embodiment has an inside annular spacer member (e.g., 355A) and a co-planar outside annular spacer member (e.g., 350-O), each made of a thermally conductive steel alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventor: Sean O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20220210544
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system (700 or 800) and method for tuning ported loudspeakers and reducing unwanted acoustic resonances provides reduced port noise, eliminates undesired port resonances and improves the accuracy and fidelity of reproduced sound in a loudspeaker system of relatively high efficiency with an enclosure including an Eigen Tone Filter structure (“ETF”) comprising a pipe or set of pipes 720, 820 placed inside a loudspeaker vent to absorb the “open pipe” acoustic resonance of the vent. The open-pipe resonance is unwanted and interferes with the midrange performance of the loudspeaker, when in use, if not corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventors: Scott ORTH, Jens-Peter B AXELSSON
  • Publication number: 20220159397
    Abstract: A multi-driver multi-channel single enclosure Height-Channel (e.g., ATMOS® or DTS-X®) enabled soundbar loudspeaker system 260 uses a novel signal processing system, driver mounting configuration (310L, 310R) and method to provide a high fidelity home theater listening experience, in a manner which relies on a new method for cancellation of unwanted direct (not ceiling-bounced) radiation of the Height-Channel (or virtual height envelopment) channel's sound 213DS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Polk Audio, LLC
    Inventors: Brad STAROBIN, Scott ORTH, Stuart W. LUMSDEN