Abstract: A system includes a chassis. The system also includes a panel extending in a plane, the panel having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The system further includes an actuator coupled to the panel at a first location, the actuator being adapted to cause vibration of the panel to generate sound waves. The system further includes a coupling assembly mechanically coupling the chassis to the panel at the second edge of the panel. The panel is fixedly connected to the chassis at the first edge to limit displacement of the panel from the chassis at the first edge during vibration of the panel by the actuator, and the coupling assembly allows displacement of the panel from the chassis at the second edge during the vibration of the panel by the actuator.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer has a voice coil connected to the intermediate layer at a first surface. The actuator module includes a magnet assembly including a plurality of magnets. At least one pair of magnets are separated by an air gap. The actuator module includes a frame connected to the intermediate layer at the first surface, one or more springs connected to the frame and suspending the magnet assembly relative to the frame so that the voice coil extends at least partially into the air gap, and a spacer connected along a portion of the intermediate layer at a second surface of the intermediate layer opposite the first surface. A stiffness of the spacer at a region of connection to the intermediate layer is less than a stiffness of the intermediate layer at the connection portion.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The panel audio loudspeaker includes an actuator attached to the panel. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame including a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes an elongate flexure attached at one end the frame, the flexure extending parallel to the plane. The actuator includes one or more tabs. The actuator includes an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure. The actuator includes a vibration damping material located between each of the one or more tabs and a corresponding feature of the frame or the electromechanical module. One or more of the tabs can engage either the rigid frame or the electromechanical module to damp the vibrations.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for using a two-dimensional distributed mode actuator. One of the systems includes a transducer adapted to create a force to cause vibration of a load to generate sound waves, the transducer having a first width along a first axis; a transfer portion connected to the transducer along a first side parallel to the first axis, and having a second width along the first axis that is less than the first width; and a stub connected to the transfer portion along a second side of the transfer portion that is parallel to the first axis and an opposite side from the first side connected to the transducer, having a third width that is greater than the second width, and having a surface adapted to connect to the load to transfer the force received from the transducer through the transfer portion to the load.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane and an actuator coupled to the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel and the frame includes a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes an elongate flexure attached at one end to the portion of the frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface, the flexure extending parallel to the plane and having a first width where the flexure is attached to the frame different from a second width where the flexure is unattached to the frame. The actuator further includes an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure unattached to the frame, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure during operation of the actuator.

Abstract: An actuator, attached to a panel extending in a plane, includes a frame and a magnetic circuit assembly that includes a magnet and a voice coil, the magnet and voice coil being moveable relative to each other during operation of the actuator along an axis perpendicular to the panel's plane. The actuator further includes one or more suspension members attaching the frame to a first component of the magnetic circuit assembly. Each suspension member includes a segment attaching the suspension member to the frame at an attachment point and a first arm extending away from the attachment point to an end attached to the first component of the magnetic circuit assembly. During operation of the actuator the first arm of the one or more suspension members flex to accommodate axial displacements of the magnet relative to the voice coil.

Abstract: A distributed mode actuator (DMA) includes a flat panel extending in a plane and a rigid, elongate member extended parallel to the plane. The member is mechanically coupled to a face of the flat panel at a point. An end of the member is free to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The DMA also includes a magnet and an electrically-conducting coil. Either the magnet or the coil is mechanically coupled to the member. When the coil is energized, an interaction between a magnetic field of the magnet and a magnetic field from the coil applies a force sufficient to displace the member in the direction perpendicular to the plane. The DMA further includes an electronic control module electrically coupled to the coil and programmed to energize the coil to vibrate the member to produce an audio response from the flat panel.

Abstract: A system includes a panel extending in a plane, an actuator attached to a surface of the panel, and an electronic control module to activate the actuator to cause vibration of the panel. The actuator includes: a plate to create a force to cause vibration of the panel to generate sound waves, having a width, WT, at a first edge; a stub extending from the first edge of the plate, having a width at a region of connection to the plate that is less than WT, the stub being attached to the surface of the panel to transfer the force received from the plate to the panel and cause the panel to vibrate; and a damper supported by a surface of the plate facing the panel coupling the plate to the panel, the damper having a having a width greater than WS.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel and an actuator rigidly coupled to a surface of the panel. The actuator includes: a magnet assembly that includes a permanent magnet arranged within a cup, wherein an air gap exists between sidewalls of the cup and the permanent magnet; and a coil rigidly coupled to the panel, the coil including a length of an electrically conducing wire wound in a coil and extending along an axis. The coil includes a first region having a first winding density and a second region having a second winding density higher than the first winding density, the second region at least partially extending into the air gap of the magnet assembly.

Abstract: A distributed mode loudspeaker (DML) includes a flat panel extending in a panel plane. The DML also includes a rigid, elongate member displaced from the flat panel and extending parallel to the panel plane, the elongate member being mechanically coupled to the flat panel at a first position along the elongate member and extending away from the first position to an end of the member free to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The elongate member includes a soft magnetic material. The DML also includes an electromagnet system including at least one electrically-conducting coil having an axis perpendicular to the panel plane and displaced from the elongate member. The DML further includes an electronic control module electrically coupled to the electromagnet system and programmed to energize the electrically-conducting coil sufficient such that a magnetic field produced by the electrically-conducting coil displaces the free end of the elongate member.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The panel audio loudspeaker includes an actuator attached to the panel. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame including a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes an elongate flexure attached at one end the frame, the flexure extending parallel to the plane. The actuator includes one or more tabs. The actuator includes an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure. The actuator includes a vibration damping material located between each of the one or more tabs and a corresponding feature of the frame or the electromechanical module. One or more of the tabs can engage either the rigid frame or the electromechanical module to damp the vibrations.

Abstract: An actuator, attached to a panel extending in a plane, includes a frame and a magnetic circuit assembly that includes a magnet and a voice coil, the magnet and voice coil being moveable relative to each other during operation of the actuator along an axis perpendicular to the panel's plane. The actuator further includes one or more suspension members attaching the frame to a first component of the magnetic circuit assembly. Each suspension member includes a segment attaching the suspension member to the frame at an attachment point and a first arm extending away from the attachment point to an end attached to the first component of the magnetic circuit assembly. During operation of the actuator the first arm of the one or more suspension members flex to accommodate axial displacements of the magnet relative to the voice coil.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane and an actuator coupled to the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel and the frame includes a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes an elongate flexure attached at one end to the portion of the frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface, the flexure extending parallel to the plane and having a first width where the flexure is attached to the frame different from a second width where the flexure is unattached to the frame. The actuator further includes an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure unattached to the frame, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure during operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The panel audio loudspeaker includes an actuator attached to the panel. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame including a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes an elongate flexure attached at one end the frame, the flexure extending parallel to the plane. The actuator includes one or more tabs. The actuator includes an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure. The actuator includes a vibration damping material located between each of the one or more tabs and a corresponding feature of the frame or the electromechanical module. One or more of the tabs can engage either the rigid frame or the electromechanical module to damp the vibrations.

Abstract: A system includes a chassis. The system also includes a panel extending in a plane, the panel having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The system further includes an actuator coupled to the panel at a first location, the actuator being adapted to cause vibration of the panel to generate sound waves. The system further includes a coupling assembly mechanically coupling the chassis to the panel at the second edge of the panel. The panel is fixedly connected to the chassis at the first edge to limit displacement of the panel from the chassis at the first edge during vibration of the panel by the actuator, and the coupling assembly allows displacement of the panel from the chassis at the second edge during the vibration of the panel by the actuator.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane and an actuator coupled to the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel and the frame includes a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes an elongate flexure attached at one end to the portion of the frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface, the flexure extending parallel to the plane and having a first width where the flexure is attached to the frame different from a second width where the flexure is unattached to the frame. The actuator further includes an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure unattached to the frame, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure during operation of the actuator.

Abstract: An actuator, attached to a panel extending in a plane, includes a frame and a magnetic circuit assembly that includes a magnet and a voice coil, the magnet and voice coil being moveable relative to each other during operation of the actuator along an axis perpendicular to the panel's plane. The actuator further includes one or more suspension members attaching the frame to a first component of the magnetic circuit assembly. Each suspension member includes a segment attaching the suspension member to the frame at an attachment point and a first arm extending away from the attachment point to an end attached to the first component of the magnetic circuit assembly. During operation of the actuator the first arm of the one or more suspension members flex to accommodate axial displacements of the magnet relative to the voice coil.

Abstract: A distributed mode actuator (DMA) includes a flat panel extending in a plane and a rigid, elongate member extended parallel to the plane. The member is mechanically coupled to a face of the flat panel at a point. An end of the member is free to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The DMA also includes a magnet and an electrically-conducting coil. Either the magnet or the coil is mechanically coupled to the member. When the coil is energized, an interaction between a magnetic field of the magnet and a magnetic field from the coil applies a force sufficient to displace the member in the direction perpendicular to the plane. The DMA further includes an electronic control module electrically coupled to the coil and programmed to energize the coil to vibrate the member to produce an audio response from the flat panel.

Abstract: A distributed mode loudspeaker (DML) includes a flat panel extending in a panel plane. The DML also includes a rigid, elongate member displaced from the flat panel and extending parallel to the panel plane, the elongate member being mechanically coupled to the flat panel at a first position along the elongate member and extending away from the first position to an end of the member free to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The elongate member includes a soft magnetic material. The DML also includes an electromagnet system including at least one electrically-conducting coil having an axis perpendicular to the panel plane and displaced from the elongate member. The DML further includes an electronic control module electrically coupled to the electromagnet system and programmed to energize the electrically-conducting coil sufficient such that a magnetic field produced by the electrically-conducting coil displaces the free end of the elongate member.

Abstract: A system includes a chassis. The system also includes a panel extending in a plane, the panel having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The system further includes an actuator coupled to the panel at a first location, the actuator being adapted to cause vibration of the panel to generate sound waves. The system further includes a coupling assembly mechanically coupling the chassis to the panel at the second edge of the panel. The panel is fixedly connected to the chassis at the first edge to limit displacement of the panel from the chassis at the first edge during vibration of the panel by the actuator, and the coupling assembly allows displacement of the panel from the chassis at the second edge during the vibration of the panel by the actuator.