Patents by Inventor Adrianus Maria Lafort

Adrianus Maria Lafort has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180146301
    Abstract: A system including a transducer and an amplifier as well as a circuit which always has a high impedance at low voltages. In addition, at high voltages, the circuit has a high impedance at high frequencies but a low impedance at low frequencies. In biased transducers, this circuit may be used between the charge pump and the transducer. In general, the circuit may be provided in a signal path between the transducer and the amplifier. The circuit has as an advantage that at startup, low frequency signals at high intensities may overload the amplifier, whereas at operation, higher frequency signals are desired fed to the amplifier at the same intensity. This is facilitated by the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Michiel van Nieuwkerk
  • Publication number: 20180143068
    Abstract: A sensing system with an AC feedback to the non-signal and non-biased terminal of the transducer. An impedance element, such as two anti-parallel diodes, are provided at the amplifier input, and the amplifier gain is negative and has a size sufficient to ensure that the input on the one terminal does not exceed the forward voltage of the diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventor: Adrianus Maria Lafort
  • Publication number: 20180146295
    Abstract: An assembly including a transducer, such as a capacitive transducer, a vibration sensor or a microphone, and an amplifier for receiving and amplifying an output of the transducer, where the amplifier is supplied with a voltage being at least 60% of a voltage corresponding to an electrical field between two elements of the transducer. When the transducer is a biased transducer, the amplifier is supplied with a voltage being at least 60% of a biasing voltage of the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Aart Zeger van Halteren
  • Publication number: 20180145643
    Abstract: A system including a transducer and an amplifier as well as a circuit which always has a high impedance at low voltages. In addition, at high voltages, the circuit has a high impedance at high frequencies but a low impedance at low frequencies. In biased transducers, this circuit may be used between the charge pump and the transducer. In general, the circuit may be provided in a signal path between the transducer and the amplifier. The circuit has as an advantage that at startup, low frequency signals at high intensities may overload the amplifier, whereas at operation, higher frequency signals are desired fed to the amplifier at the same intensity. This is facilitated by the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Michiel van Nieuwkerk
  • Publication number: 20180146286
    Abstract: A phase correcting system for connection with a transducer. The phase correction may take place before amplifying the output of the transducer. The phase correction system comprises a circuit configured to low-pass filter an input and feed the output to the non-signal terminal of the transducer. This circuit may comprise a transconductance amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Dion Ivo de Roo
  • Patent number: 9888326
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transducer comprising a housing, a first and a second diaphragm, and a first and a second signal provider. The housing comprises an inner surface. The first and second diaphragms are positioned in the housing. The first and second diaphragms define a common compartment being delimited by at least both a part of the inner surface and the first and second diaphragms. The first signal provider is configured to convert movement of the first diaphragm into a first signal. The second signal provider is configured to convert movement of the second diaphragm into a second signal. The transducer can be used in a hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland BV
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Andreas Tiefenau, Anne-Marie Sänger, Frederik Cornelis Blom, Alwin Fransen
  • Publication number: 20170318395
    Abstract: Improving noise rejection of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone by utilizing a membrane sandwiched between oppositely biased backplates is presented herein. The MEMS microphone can comprise a diaphragm that converts an acoustic pressure into an electrical signal; a first backplate capacitively coupled to a first side of the diaphragm—the first backplate biased at a first direct current (DC) voltage; a second backplate capacitively coupled to a second side of the diaphragm—the second backplate biased at a second DC voltage; and an electronic amplifier that buffers the electrical signal to generate a buffered output signal representing the acoustic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kieran Harney, Adrianus Maria Lafort, Brian Moss, Dion Ivo De Roo
  • Publication number: 20170318385
    Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors and related bias voltage techniques are described. Exemplary MEMS sensors, such as exemplary MEMS acoustic sensors or microphones described herein can employ one or more bias voltage generators and single-ended or differential amplifier arrangements. Various embodiments are described that can effectively increase the bias voltage available to the sensor element without resorting to high breakdown voltage semiconductor processes. In addition, control of the one or more bias voltage generators in various operating modes is described, based on consideration of a number of factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kieran Harney, Adrianus Maria Lafort, Brian Moss, Dion Ivo De Roo
  • Patent number: 9736591
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having a first magnet configured to output a first magnetic field in a first magnet gap, an elongate armature extending through the first magnet gap, a first coil configured to generate a magnetic flux in the armature, a first diaphragm, a first element configured to transfer force and/or movement from the armature to the first diaphragm, a base and a first and a second support element, the first support element connecting the armature to the base at a first longitudinal position at a first side of a predetermined portion along the length of the armature, and the second support element connecting the armature to the base at a second longitudinal position at a second, opposite side of the predetermined portion. The base may flex between a U-shape and an inverted U-shape and may thus provide force to move the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Adrianus Maria Lafort, Caspar Titus Bolsman
  • Patent number: 9473855
    Abstract: Moving armature receiver assemblies wherein a first U-shaped armature and a second U-shaped armature are configured for suppression of vibration of a housing structure along a longitudinal housing plane. The first and second U-shaped armatures may be shifted away from each other along a longitudinal housing plane to render the first and second U-shaped armatures partially overlapping in the orthogonal plane with a predetermined overlap distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Andreas Tiefenau, Adrianus Maria Lafort
  • Publication number: 20160255445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microphone module comprising at least two directional microphones having different polar patterns and a single front sound inlet and a single rear sound inlet. The present invention provides a compact and space saving microphone module being less sensitive for mismatch or drift between the applied directional microphones and thereby very robust in directional performance. The microphone module of the present invention is, in particular, suitable in relation to hearing aid applications. The present invention further relates to an associated method for handling and processing signals from the at least two directional microphones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Andreas Tiefenau, Anne-Marie Sänger, Arkadiusz Wasylków, Dion Ivo de Roo
  • Publication number: 20160227328
    Abstract: A receiver comprising a housing defining a chamber, and a motor assembly that includes a magnet assembly and an armature. Furthermore, the receiver includes a diaphragm operationally attached to the armature. The motor assembly is attached to the housing by a movable suspension structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Adrianus Maria Lafort, Rasmus Voss, Caspar Titus Bolsman, Andreas Tiefenau, Paul Christiaan van Hal
  • Publication number: 20160134978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transducer comprising a housing, a first and a second diaphragm, and a first and a second signal provider. The housing comprises an inner surface. The first and second diaphragms are positioned in the housing. The first and second diaphragms define a common compartment being delimited by at least both a part of the inner surface and the first and second diaphragms. The first signal provider is configured to convert movement of the first diaphragm into a first signal. The second signal provider is configured to convert movement of the second diaphragm into a second signal. The transducer can be used in a hearing aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Andreas Tiefenau, Anne-Marie Sänger, Frederik Cornelis Blom, Alwin Fransen
  • Patent number: 9247359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transducer comprising a housing, a first and a second diaphragm, and a first and a second signal provider. The housing comprises an inner surface. The first and second diaphragms are positioned in the housing. The first and second diaphragms define a common compartment being delimited by at least both a part of the inner surface and the first and second diaphragms. The first signal provider is configured to convert movement of the first diaphragm into a first signal. The second signal provider is configured to convert movement of the second diaphragm into a second signal. The transducer can be used in a hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland BV
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Andreas Tiefenau, Anne-Marie Sänger, Frederik Cornelis Blom, Alwin Fransen
  • Publication number: 20150245141
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having a first magnet configured to output a first magnetic field in a first magnet gap, an elongate armature extending through the first magnet gap, a first coil configured to generate a magnetic flux in the armature, a first diaphragm, a first element configured to transfer force and/or movement from the armature to the first diaphragm, a base and a first and a second support element, the first support element connecting the armature to the base at a first longitudinal position at a first side of a predetermined portion along the length of the armature, and the second support element connecting the armature to the base at a second longitudinal position at a second, opposite side of the predetermined portion. The base may flex between a U-shape and an inverted U-shape and may thus provide force to move the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Adrianus Maria Lafort, Caspar Titus Bolsman
  • Patent number: 9066190
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a behind-the-ear unit comprising a pump arrangement which is fluidly connected to an inflatable part of an in-the-ear unit. The pump arrangement comprises one inlet valve and two outlet valves which are arranged in series. The valve leakage of the two outlet valves is not identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B. V.
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Paul Christiaan van Hal
  • Patent number: 8995705
    Abstract: A multi-layer armature for a moving armature receiver. The armature includes a first armature layer and a displacement region. The first armature layer includes a first surface and a second armature layer having a second surface positioned adjacent to the first surface. The displacement region provides relative displacement between the armature layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Sietse Jacob van Reeuwijk, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Adrianus Maria Lafort, Mikhail Joerjevitsj Korneev
  • Publication number: 20140305735
    Abstract: The present invention relates to moving armature receiver assemblies wherein a first U-shaped armature and a second U-shaped armature are configured for suppression of vibration of a housing structure along a longitudinal housing plane. The first and second U-shaped armatures may be shifted away from each other along a longitudinal housing plane to render the first and second U-shaped armatures partially overlapping in the orthogonal plane with a predetermined overlap distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Andreas Tiefenau, Adrianus Maria Lafort
  • Patent number: 8792672
    Abstract: Moving armature receiver assemblies wherein a first U-shaped armature and a second U-shaped armature are configured for suppression of vibration of a housing structure along a longitudinal housing plane. The first armature has a fixed leg and a deflectable leg both extending parallelly to a first longitudinal armature plane and mechanically and magnetically interconnected through a first curved linkage portion. Likewise, the second armature has a fixed leg and a deflectable leg both extending parallelly to a second longitudinal armature plane and mechanically and magnetically interconnected through a second curved linkage portion. In some configurations, the deflectable legs of the first and second U-shaped armatures are configured for oppositely directed displacement along an orthogonal plane extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal housing plane so as suppress vibration of the housing structure in the orthogonal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Andreas Tiefenau, Adrianus Maria Lafort
  • Publication number: 20140205123
    Abstract: A hearing aid assembly comprising an inflatable ear dome, and in particular, a connector for connecting an inflatable ear-dome to a hearing aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Andreas Tiefenau, Erik Marinus Krom, Mads Buur Mortensen, Flemming Risager