Abstract: A quadrupole transducer created by spatially offsetting a first dipole from a second dipole while causing the first and second dipoles to produce the same acoustic signal. This arrangement minimizes floor, ceiling and wall reflections which alter the perception of sound quality. In some embodiments the second dipole is vertically offset from the first dipole. This produces a phantom acoustic image that is perceived to emanate from an intermediate position.

Abstract: A flat plate audio transducer. A front panel and a back panel are connected via a frame. One or more electromagnetic actuators are mounted between the two panels. Voice coils are used as the actuators in some embodiments. Stiffening braces are preferably run between groups of actuators to prevent unwanted resonance phenomena. In some embodiments an actuator array moves both the front and back panels. In other embodiments only one panel is moved.

Abstract: A quadrupole transducer created by spatially offsetting a first dipole from a second dipole while causing the first and second dipoles to produce the same acoustic signal. This arrangement minimizes floor, ceiling and wall reflections which alter the perception of sound quality. In some embodiments the second dipole is vertically offset from the first dipole. This produces a phantom acoustic image that is perceived to emanate from an intermediate position.

Abstract: A flat plate audio transducer. A front panel and a back panel are connected via a frame. One or more electromagnetic actuators are mounted between the two panels. Voice coils are used as the actuators in some embodiments. Stiffening braces are preferably run between groups of actuators to prevent unwanted resonance phenomena. In some embodiments an actuator array moves both the front and back panels. In other embodiments only one panel is moved.

Abstract: A flat plate audio transducer. A front panel and a back panel are connected via a frame. One or more electromagnetic actuators are mounted between the two panels. Voice coils are used as the actuators in some embodiments. Stiffening braces are preferably run between groups of actuators to prevent unwanted resonance phenomena. In some embodiments an actuator array moves both the front and back panels. In other embodiments only one panel is moved. The flat plate transducer is configured to mount on a room wall in a position that is conventionally used for decorative items such as artwork.

Abstract: A flat plate audio transducer. A front panel and a back panel are connected via a frame. One or more electromagnetic actuators are mounted between the two panels. Voice coils are used as the actuators in some embodiments. Stiffening braces are preferably run between groups of actuators to prevent unwanted resonance phenomena. In some embodiments an actuator array moves both the front and back panels. In other embodiments only one panel is moved. The flat plate transducer is configured to mount on a room wall in a position that is conventionally used for decorative items such as artwork.

Abstract: An active non-lethal infrasound system for denying all bird species access to critical areas, particularly in areas around aircraft and other high value systems. The system comprises a plurality of infrasound generators broadcasting continuous infrasonic signals to create a bird-free infrasound active zone within the perimeters of the protected critical area and an infrasound-free dead zones for birds being denied access to the critical areas. Further, an active infrasonic barrier is assembled within an exclusion area surrounding the bird-free infrasound active zone to dampen all low frequency sound waves emanating from the critical area and its perimeters. Wherever the situation allows, a wildlife sanctuary is preferably established further from the exclusion area to attract and protect birds, enforced by broadcasting infrasound signals that simulate natural sounds that attract species typical of the geographic location.

Abstract: A rotary sound transducer having an improved output at higher frequencies. The invention includes stiff vanes that are preferably rigidly attached to a hub. A torsional actuator is provided in each vane. The torsional actuator selectively twists the tip portion of each vane. The torsional actuator for each vane is activated by an input energy source corresponding to the sound waves that are desired. The input force may also be electromechanical energy, purely mechanical energy, or some other form of energy.

Abstract: A rotary sound transducer having an improved output at higher frequencies. The invention includes stiff vanes that are preferably rigidly attached to a hub. A torsional actuator is provided in each vane. The torsional actuator selectively twists the tip portion of each vane. The torsional actuator for each vane is activated by an input energy source corresponding to the sound waves that are desired. The input force may also be electromechanical energy, purely mechanical energy, or some other form of energy.

Abstract: An active non-lethal infrasound system for denying all bird species access to critical areas, particularly in areas around aircraft and other high value systems. The system comprises a plurality of infrasound generators broadcasting continuous infrasonic signals to create a bird-free infrasound active zone within the perimeters of the protected critical area and an infrasound-free dead zones for birds being denied access to the critical areas. Further, an active infrasonic barrier is assembled within an exclusion area surrounding the bird-free infrasound active zone to dampen all low frequency sound waves emanating from the critical area and its perimeters. Wherever the situation allows, a wildlife sanctuary is preferably established further from the exclusion area to attract and protect birds, enforced by broadcasting infrasound signals that simulate natural sounds that attract species typical of the geographic location.

Abstract: A method is provided for mitigation of aircraft bird strikes through the provision of conditions on the ground that totally prevents the formation of atmospheric thermals in the proximity of airports and airfields, whereby conflicts between soaring and migratory birds and aircrafts may be avoided. This is accomplished by modification of the topography of the field into a plurality of zones, as described herein and through construction of high albedo pavements, roads, artificial turfs and cool terrains.

Abstract: An active non-lethal infrasound system for denying all bird species access to critical areas, particularly in areas around aircraft and other high value systems. The system comprises a plurality of infrasound generators broadcasting continuous infrasonic signals to create a bird-free infrasound active zone within the perimeters of the protected critical area and an infrasound-free dead zones for birds being denied access to the critical areas. Further, an active infrasonic barrier is assembled within an exclusion area surrounding the bird-free infrasound active zone to dampen all low frequency sound waves emanating from the critical area and its perimeters. Wherever the situation allows, a wildlife sanctuary is preferably established further from the exclusion area to attract and protect birds, enforced by broadcasting infrasound signals that simulate natural sounds that attract species typical of the geographic location.

Abstract: Automotive audio systems that use directional planar magnetic transducers in a layout or placement configuration to provide direct or reflected audio imaging in stereo or surround sounds for individual passengers of an automotive vehicle with reduced crossed audio interference.

Abstract: A loudspeaker, and particularly, a woofer, including a flat diaphragm transducer having at least one stator plate for carrying magnetic elements in close proximity to a low stiffness diaphragm wherein a piston-like motion of the diaphragm is achieved by creating pressure zones adjacent the diaphragm to improve an acoustic coupling and increase acoustic output for a given size of diaphragm by the provision of non-uniformly spaced openings in the at least one stator plate which are selectively spaced to control low frequency diaphragm resonance modes.

Abstract: Automotive audio systems that use directional planar magnetic transducers in a layout or placement configuration to provide direct or reflected audio imaging in stereo or surround sounds for individual passengers of an automotive vehicle with reduced crossed audio interference.

Abstract: A planar magnetic acoustical transducer including a diaphragm with electrical circuit carrying conductors having a width substantially equal to a combined width of a plurality of magnetic fields created by equally spaced opposing rows of permanent magnets carried by opposing frame sections between which the diaphragm is mounted such that substantially the entire active area of the diaphragm is driven to create a smooth frequency response. The electrical circuit includes generally parallel segments which are aligned within the magnetic fields created by the rows of opposing magnets and are spaced at a distance relative to one another generally not less than a distance equal to a width of pole elements which are integrally formed with the frame sections and which pole elements are spaced intermediate each of the rows of magnets so as to be in an opposing relationship with one another on opposite sides of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Diaphragms of planar magnetic transducers having electrical conductor runs applied thereto are deformed to create lines of flexation such as by knurling, pressing, embossing or the like prior to being placed under tension within a support frame so as to reduce loss of diaphragm tension and thereby control resonance modes along active surface areas of the diaphragm when electrical energy is applied through the conductor runs.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer including a diaphragm having an electrical conductor applied thereto such that at least one segment of the conductor is selectively separable from the diaphragm in response to electric power being applied to the conductor to thereby provide thermal stress relief to the diaphragm during use.

Abstract: Planar magnetic transducers including diaphragms having electrical conductors thereon which are mounted within frames so that spaced magnets are disposed on opposite sides of central sound producing surface areas of the diaphragms. Pole elements are provided in spaced relationship between each of the magnets and extend inwardly toward the diaphragms so to form pole extensions for causing magnetic flux from the poles of the magnets proximate to the diaphragms to extend more densely and generally parallel to the electrical conductors between the magnets and the pole elements. Openings for acoustic waves are provided between the pole elements and adjacent magnets.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is disclosed wherein separate elongated strips of magnetic material are secured on both sides of a plane containing a flat flexible insulating thin-film diaphragm. Conductors attached to the diaphram extend primarily parallel to the magnetic strips and cause movement of the diaphram when excited electrically. The conductors can also deliver current induced by diaphram movement within the field. The magnetic strips are fastened to a frame that clamps the perimeter of the diaphram. The sub-assemblies containing the magnetic strips provide maximum available area for the propagation of acoustic waves to and from the environment and provide increased flux density.