Patents by Inventor John F. Steere

John F. Steere 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).

  • Patent number: 9247368
    Abstract: A loudspeaker cone body made of paper may include a chemically-bound nanomaterial, such as a carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube may be chemically bound to a functionalizing agent having a chemical group chemically bound to one or more papermaking additives, such as a sizing agent or a wet strength agent, a dry strength agent, a resin or cellulose-containing papermaking stock material typically present in a paper loudspeaker cone body, such as pulp. Acoustic-related loudspeaker performance characteristics such as stiffness to weight ratio and an acoustic damping of the loudspeaker cone body may be altered by incorporation of the nanomaterials chemically bound to the loudspeaker cone body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis A. Mango, III, Ryszard A. Pilatowski, John F. Steere, John S. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8315421
    Abstract: A magnet structure for use with a loudspeaker has an interlocking mechanism. The magnet structure can include a magnet, a shell pot and at least one core cap. The shell pot can contain the magnet in its hollow interior. The magnet can be a single magnet or double magnets. The core cap has two surfaces. For a single magnet, one surface of the core cap faces the magnet. For double magnets, the core cap can be vertically disposed between the two magnets. The magnet, the core cap and the shell pot can interlock with one another such that a position of the magnet relative to the core cap and the shell pot can be rigidly preserved. The magnet can be configured to be, for example, overlapped, inserted, staked and/or engaged with at least one of the shell pot or the core cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Jason M. Semmler, John F. Steere
  • Patent number: 7945069
    Abstract: A loudspeaker cone body made of plastic includes a base carrier material and a filler material. The base carrier material is selected to optimize overall flow, weight and stiffness. The filler material may be a nanomaterial that provides for adjustment of process and acoustic related characteristics in the loudspeaker cone body that become relevant when the loudspeaker cone body is operated in a loudspeaker. Acoustic related characteristics that may be adjusted include a stiffness to weight ratio and an acoustic damping of the loudspeaker cone body. A predetermined weight percent of the filler material may be combined with the base carrier material to obtain repeatable desired acoustic related characteristics. The acoustic related characteristics may be adjusted by changing the predetermined weight percent of the filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis A. Mango, III, John F. Steere, Steven W. Hutt
  • Patent number: 7894623
    Abstract: A magnet structure for use with a loudspeaker has an interlocking mechanism. The magnet structure can include a magnet, a shell pot and at least one core cap. The shell pot can contain the magnet in its hollow interior. The magnet can be a single magnet or double magnets. The core cap has two surfaces. For a single magnet, one surface of the core cap faces the magnet. For double magnets, the core cap can be vertically disposed between the two magnets. The magnet, the core cap and the shell pot can interlock with one another such that a position of the magnet relative to the core cap and the shell pot can be rigidly preserved. The magnet can be configured to be, for example, overlapped, inserted, staked and/or engaged with at least one of the shell pot or the core cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Jason M Semmler, John F. Steere
  • Patent number: 7873178
    Abstract: A planar loudspeaker includes a shell pot, a magnet, a diaphragm, and a face plate. The magnet may be positioned in a cavity in the shell pot. The diaphragm may be coupled with the shell pot to cover an entrance to the cavity. The shell pot may include a conductive path having an inner contact proximate the central axis of the diaphragm, and an outer contact proximate to a perimeter of the diaphragm. The face plate may be coupled with the shell pot so that the diaphragm is positioned between the magnet and the faceplate. The face plate may include an inner terminal and an outer terminal that are aligned to be in direct contact with the respective inner contact and the outer contact of the diaphragm and form an electrical connection there between when the face plate is coupled with the shell pot. The inner and outer terminals may be coupled with a source of electrical signals, such as an audio amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporation
    Inventors: John F. Steere, Hans-Juergen Regl, Steven W. Hutt
  • Publication number: 20100310111
    Abstract: A magnet structure for use with a loudspeaker has an interlocking mechanism. The magnet structure can include a magnet, a shell pot and at least one core cap. The shell pot can contain the magnet in its hollow interior. The magnet can be a single magnet or double magnets. The core cap has two surfaces. For a single magnet, one surface of the core cap faces the magnet. For double magnets, the core cap can be vertically disposed between the two magnets. The magnet, the core cap and the shell pot can interlock with one another such that a position of the magnet relative to the core cap and the shell pot can be rigidly preserved. The magnet can be configured to be, for example, overlapped, inserted, staked and/or engaged with at least one of the shell pot or the core cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Jason M. Semmler, John F. Steere
  • Patent number: 7716808
    Abstract: Electro-dynamic loudspeakers typically include a diaphragm having a conductor applied to one of its surfaces where the diaphragm is secured to a frame. The conductor is connected to a power supply for providing electrical current through linear traces of the conductor that interact with magnetic fields generated by magnets that are mounted to the frame. The diaphragm is driven by a motive force created when current passes through the conductor within the magnetic field. The electrical current is varied to create an acoustical output from the electro-dynamic loudspeaker. Different methods of attaching the diaphragm are provided for simplifying the manufacturing process and for obtaining a robust electro-dynamic loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. Hutt, John F. Steere, David B. Garner, Louis A. Mango
  • Publication number: 20090074228
    Abstract: A loudspeaker cone body made of paper may include a chemically-bound nanomaterial, such as a carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube may be chemically bound to a functionalizing agent having a chemical group chemically bound to one or more papermaking additives, such as a sizing agent or a wet strength agent, a dry strength agent, a resin or cellulose-containing papermaking stock material typically present in a paper loudspeaker cone body, such as pulp. Acoustic-related loudspeaker performance characteristics such as stiffness to weight ratio and an acoustic damping of the loudspeaker cone body may be altered by incorporation of the nanomaterials chemically bound to the loudspeaker cone body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Louis A. Mango, III, Ryszard A. Pilatowski, John F. Steere, John S. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20080172859
    Abstract: Electro-dynamic loudspeakers typically include a diaphragm having a conductor applied to one of its surfaces where the diaphragm is secured to a frame. The conductor is connected to a power supply for providing electrical current through linear traces of the conductor that interact with magnetic fields generated by magnets that are mounted to the frame. The diaphragm is driven by a motive force created when current passes through the conductor within the magnetic field. The electrical current is varied to create an acoustical output from the electro-dynamic loudspeaker. Different methods of attaching the diaphragm are provided for simplifying the manufacturing process and for obtaining a robust electro-dynamic loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Steven W. Hutt, John F. Steere, David B. Garner, Louis A. Mango
  • Patent number: 7400740
    Abstract: A core cap or top plate for use with loudspeakers that includes offset adhesive control grooves on the opposite faces of the disk-like core cap is disclosed. The grooves are offset from one another by a distance that makes the smallest dimension between any feature of the grooves about the same as the nominal thickness of the core cap. The core cap increases the magnetic flux capacity over prior art core cap designs, while maintaining features advantageous to error-proof the orientation of the core cap in the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Steere, Steven W. Hutt, Ronald E. Fenwick
  • Patent number: 7316290
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a frame, a magnet coupled to the frame and a diaphragm secured to the frame. An acoustic lens may be positioned in front of the diaphragm. An aperture extends through the acoustic lens. The acoustical directivity pattern of the loudspeaker may be modified by the acoustic lens to improve the uniformity of the off axis vs. on axis sound pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W Hutt, John F Steere, D. B Keele, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7278200
    Abstract: Electro-dynamic loudspeakers typically include a diaphragm having a conductor applied to one of its surfaces. The diaphragm is secured to a frame. The conductor is connected to a power supply for providing electrical current through linear traces of the conductor that interact with magnetic fields generated by magnets that are mounted to the frame. The diaphragm is driven by a motive force created when current passes through the conductor within the magnetic field. The electrical current is varied to create an acoustical output from the electro-dynamic loudspeaker. Different methods of tensioning the diaphragm are provided for simplifying the manufacturing process and for assuring proper diaphragm tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: John F. Steere, David B. Garner
  • Patent number: 7203332
    Abstract: An electro-dynamic loudspeaker includes a frame, a plurality of magnets and a diaphragm. The frame includes a molded plastic body. The magnets may be molded into the frame in a determined configuration. The frame is mechanically coupled to the diaphragm such that the magnets are a determined distance from the diaphragm. The diaphragm may include a conductor applied to a surface of the diaphragm. The diaphragm may be driven by a motive force created when current passes through the conductor within a magnetic field formed by the magnets. The electrical current may be varied to create an acoustical output from the electro-dynamic loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. Hutt, John F. Steere, David B. Garner, Louis A. Mango
  • Patent number: 7152299
    Abstract: Electro-dynamic loudspeakers typically include a diaphragm having a conductor applied to one of its surfaces. The diaphragm is secured to a frame. The conductor is connected to a power supply for providing electrical current through linear traces of the conductor that interact with magnetic fields generated by magnets that are mounted to the frame. The diaphragm is driven by a motive force created when current passes through the conductor within the magnetic field. The electrical current is varied to create an acoustical output from the electro-dynamic loudspeaker. Different frame structures are provided for simplifying the manufacturing process and defining a reduced cost electro-dynamic loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis A. Mango, John F. Steere, David B. Garner, Steven W. Hutt, Ronald E. Fenwick
  • Patent number: 7146017
    Abstract: An electro-dynamic loudspeaker is typically provided with a diaphragm mounted to a frame in tension. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of electrical traces that are disposed within a magnetic field of a plurality of magnets that are mounted to the frame. Electric current applied to the circuit causes electric current to pass through the wiring that interacts with the magnetic field of the magnets to thereby cause vibration of the diaphragm that causes the sound generated by the electro-dynamic loudspeaker. Electrical connector arrangements and methods are provided for connecting the electric circuit of the diaphragm to a power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: John F. Steere, Ronald E. Fenwick, David B. Garner
  • Patent number: 7136501
    Abstract: An electro-dynamic loudspeaker is provided with dampening arrangements that contribute to improved acoustical properties for the electro-dynamic planar loudspeaker. The dampening arrangements include providing a frame having a curved sidewall surface for reducing standing waves. Another design provides for a ferrofluid being disposed between the diaphragm and magnets of the electro-dynamic loudspeaker in order to dampen the resonance frequency of the device. In addition, a diaphragm of an electro-dynamic loudspeaker is provided with a short turn of conductor disposed along a fringe zone at an edge of the diaphragm in order to electro-dynamically dampen the edge resonance of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: John F Steere, David B. Garner, Steven W Hutt
  • Patent number: 7082667
    Abstract: A method of making a moving coil transducer by wrapping an electrical conductor around a thread and weaving the wrapped thread at a selected location in a cloth with an overshot region. The cloth is formed into a spider with a region of the cloth adjacent the overshot region as a perimeter of the spider. The spider is incorporated into the moving coil transducer. Electrical contact is made to a moving coil of the moving coil transducer through the electrical conductor wrapped around the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Auerbach, David B. Garner, Louis A. Mango, III, John F. Steere
  • Patent number: 7035425
    Abstract: In an electro-dynamic loudspeaker, vent holes are optimized to provide improved the magnetic flux characteristics while maintaining sufficient ventilation. In addition, ported and unported enclosures may be utilized with the electro-dynamic loudspeakers to enhance low frequency performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. Hutt, David B. Garner, John F. Steere
  • Publication number: 20040182642
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a frame, a magnet coupled to the frame and a diaphragm secured to the frame. An acoustic lens may be positioned in front of the diaphragm. An aperture extends through the acoustic lens. The acoustical directivity pattern of the loudspeaker may be modified by the acoustic lens to improve the uniformity of the off axis vs. on axis sound pressure level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Steven W. Hutt, John F. Steere, D. Broadus Keele
  • Publication number: 20040022407
    Abstract: Electro-dynamic loudspeakers typically include a diaphragm having a conductor applied to one of its surfaces. The diaphragm is secured to a frame. The conductor is connected to a power supply for providing electrical current through linear traces of the conductor that interact with magnetic fields generated by magnets that are mounted to the frame. The diaphragm is driven by a motive force created when current passes through the conductor within the magnetic field. The electrical current is varied to create an acoustical output from the electro-dynamic loudspeaker. Different methods of tensioning the diaphragm are provided for simplifying the manufacturing process and for assuring proper diaphragm tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: John F. Steere, David B. Garner