Abstract: A horn enclosure combines sound output emanating from a plurality of acoustic drivers. The horn enclosure includes a plurality of sound input plenums, a plurality of flow passageways, and a common sound output chamber. Each of the input plenums is coupled to an acoustic driver for receiving generated sound output from the associated driver. A plurality of partitions defining the plurality of flow passageways provides for a plurality of acoustic paths from each acoustic driver and through the input plenum. The common sound output chamber is in acoustic communication with each plenum through respective flow passageways and has a sound output opening for passage of the combined sound output.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system (10) is disclosed in which a sound barrier (14) defines a horn passageway having an upstream (22) and a downstream section (24). A driver (12) is mounted at the throat (16) of the upstream section (22) so that its rearward directed output communicates with the downstream section (24). Output from the upstream section and the rearward directed output of the driver are merged at a tap point located at the beginning of the downstream section. By altering the respective areas and lengths of the upstream and downstream sections a variety of different frequency dependent responses are obtained. In one example, low-frequency response systems of heretofore unobtainable compact size are realized.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which at least one driver is provided, along with a horn member in acoustic loading relationship to the driver. The horn member defines an internal passageway having a first end and a second open end, with the driver at the first end, producing a driver soundwave having an initial central axis and an initial amplitude distribution. A plurality of vanes are disposed in the internal passageway, at different angles from the central axis to deflect respective portions of the driver soundwave so as to alter the initial amplitude distribution.

Abstract: A horn enclosure combines sound output emanating from a plurality of acoustic drivers. The horn enclosure includes a plurality of sound input plenums, a plurality of flow passageways, and a common sound output chamber. Each of the input plenums is coupled to an acoustic driver for receiving generated sound output from the associated driver. A plurality of partitions defining the plurality of flow passageways provides for a plurality of acoustic paths from each acoustic driver and through the input plenum. The common sound output chamber is in acoustic communication with each plenum through respective flow passageways and has a sound output opening for passage of the combined sound output.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound barrier defines a horn passageway having a first end and a second open end. A high frequency range driver is provided at the first end, and is mutually coupled with a lower driver to the horn passageway. The lower driver has an upper frequency end lower than a frequency of a first cancellation notch for the drivers. The lower driver is located at a position along the horn passageway at which the passageway has a preselected cross-sectional area which is no greater than an area of a round cross section having a circumference equal to one wavelength at the upper frequency end.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound enclosure defines a soundwave path having a first end, a second open end and at least one bend therebetween. At least one driver is provided at the first end for producing a driver soundwave that is confined by the sound enclosure for travel along the soundwave path. At least one baffle member is situated in the soundwave path, defining a reflective surface of preselected shape that reflects and constricts the soundwave therethrough.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which at least one driver is provided, along with a horn member in acoustic loading relationship to the driver. The horn member defines an internal passageway having a first end and a second open end, with the driver at the first end, producing a driver soundwave having an initial central axis and an initial amplitude distribution. A plurality of vanes are disposed in the internal passageway, at different angles from the central axis to deflect respective portions of the driver soundwave so as to alter the initial amplitude distribution.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound enclosure defines a soundwave path having a first end, a second open end and at least one bend therebetween. At least one driver is provided at the first end for producing a driver soundwave that is confined by the sound enclosure for travel along the soundwave path. At least one baffle member is situated in the soundwave path, defining a reflective surface of preselected shape that reflects and constricts the soundwave therethrough.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound barrier defines a horn passageway having a first end and a second open end. A high frequency range driver is provided at the first end, and is mutually coupled with a lower driver to the horn passageway. The lower driver has an upper frequency end lower than a frequency of a first cancellation notch for the drivers. The lower driver is located at a position along the horn passageway at which the passageway has a preselected cross-sectional area which is no greater than an area of a round cross section having a circumference equal to one wavelength at the upper frequency end.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system (10) is disclosed in which a sound barrier (14) defines a horn passageway having an upstream (22) and a downstream section (24). A driver (12) is mounted at the throat (16) of the upstream section (22) so that its rearward directed output communicates with the downstream section (24). Output from the upstream section and the rearward directed output of the driver are merged at a tap point located at the beginning of the downstream section. By altering the respective areas and lengths of the upstream and downstream sections a variety of different frequency dependent responses are obtained. In one example, low-frequency response systems of heretofore unobtainable compact size are realized.

Abstract: A sound reproducing apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a body, such as a housing, a driver for reproducing a desired sound and an acoustic passageway through which the reproduced sound is output. The acoustic passageway having an internal portion, such as a horn, located within the body of the apparatus and an external portion defined by at least one of the exterior surfaces of the body and/or a boundary of the environment within which the apparatus is placed. In one form, the external portion of the acoustic path is defined by an exterior surface or surfaces of the body and a wall, floor or ceiling. In another form, the external portion of the acoustic path is defined by an exterior surface or surfaces of the body and another acoustic reproducing apparatus. In yet another form, the external portion of the acoustic path is defined by an exterior surface or surfaces of the body, by a wall, floor or ceiling, and by another acoustic reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sound reproduction employing a unity summation aperture loudspeaker horn taking advantage of the frequency response of horn flare characteristics for positioning of audio drivers along the outer wall of the loudspeaker horn. The loudspeaker horn may be embodied as any of a variety of pyramid shapes which allows for sections for driver positioning in correlation with the frequency response of the horn. Positioning the driver sources along the sides of the horn and out of the way of the audio field facilitates at least two modes of operation including a transformation operation for acoustical impedance matching and a waveguide operation for directing the reproduced audio signals. The single horn, multi-driver approach provides highly coupled audio drivers to generate sound reproduction employing unity summation aperture loudspeakers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sound reproduction employing a unity summation aperture loudspeaker horn taking advantage of the frequency response of horn flare characteristics for positioning of audio drivers along the outer wall of the loudspeaker horn. The loudspeaker horn may be embodied as any of a variety of pyramid shapes which allows for sections for driver positioning in correlation with the frequency response of the horn. Positioning the driver sources along the sides of the horn and out of the way of the audio field facilitates at least two modes of operation including a transformation operation for acoustical impedance matching and a waveguide operation for directing the reproduced audio signals. The single horn, multi-driver approach provides highly coupled audio drivers to generate sound reproduction employing unity summation aperture loudspeakers.

Abstract: A loudspeaker has a rigid sound radiator having a free edge and a electromagnetic drive mounted on an opposed hub edge and arranged to produce a torque on the radiator. Either a coil or a permanent magnet of the drive is mounted directly on the hub edge and has a radius which is substantially smaller than the radius of the radiator.

Abstract: A motor includes a permanent magnet rotor having opposed magnetic poles supported for rotation about an axis. A stator surrounds the rotor and consists of conductors extending parallel and uniformly around the rotor axis, in order to provide a uniform current sheet and a constant force per unit current acting on the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of stabilizing the motion of a levitated object. The method involves continuously determining the motion of a levitated object, relative to a given point, and deriving the velocity of the object from the determined motion. A continuous, non-contact, corrective force is applied to the object in the opposite direction and proportional to the derived velocity.

Abstract: A device for providing electromagnetic levitating forces and heating is described. A plurality of separate coils are provided, each powered by a separate power amplifier. Each coil may be supplied with two separate frequencies, one to levitate, and the other to heat the object. Also, the coils may be driven at separate phases to more uniformly distribute the magnetic levitating and heating forces.

Abstract: Low frequency, high intensity sound is produced using a conduit having a flow of high velocity and low pressure air. A pair of sound ports are provided in the conduit, and a rotary valve connected to a reversible servomotor and audio source is employed to direct the flow of air toward and away from the ports.

Abstract: An acoustic levitator includes a pair of opposed sound sources which have interfering sound waves producing acoustic energy wells in which an object may be levitated. The phase of one sound source may be changed relative to the other in order to move the object along an axis between the sound sources.