Detail Of Mechanical Vibration Coupling To Transducer (e.g., Tuned Vibrating Element) Patents (Class 381/162)
  • Patent number: 7561704
    Abstract: A speaker, which includes a basket holding an exciter, a holding down ring fastened to the basket to hold down a diaphragm, which has an annular suspension and a cone fastened to the inner diameter of the annular suspension and coupled to the exciter, and a locating plate capped on an annular positioning portion of the exciter and pressed on the center area of the cone with a beveled outer bearing surface to hold down the center area of the cone against vibration in transverse direction to prevent a distortion of sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Yen-Chen Chan
  • Patent number: 7522742
    Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a housing that can be attached to a wall. Audio speakers are mounted in a baffle that is mounted in and movable relative to the housing, so that the direction of audio signals emitted from the speakers can be selected and controlled. End and side retaining surfaces extend rearwardly from the housing and define an enclosure within which the baffle is mounted and moveable relative to the housing. Slotted channels are formed in the end retaining surfaces, and the baffle is moveably attached to the housing by fasteners extending from end mounting surfaces formed in the baffle and through the slotted channels formed in the housing. The speakers may also be mounted to be moveable relative to the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Speakercraft, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Francisco, Jeremy P. Burkhardt
  • Patent number: 7447322
    Abstract: A speaker having a transparent sound panel and an exciter connected to the transparent sound panel for converting electrical energy received by the exciter, into vibrations that are transmitted to the transparent sound panel, resulting in the transparent sound panel transmitting sound. The speaker also contains a stiff panel located between the exciter and the transparent sound panel, where the stiff panel minimizes dampening qualities associated with material utilized to fabricate the transparent sound panel and minimizes bending of the portion of the transparent sound panel that is in contact with the stiff panel. In addition, a dampening pad is located within the exciter for absorbing a portion of excessive mid-high frequency vibrations emanating from the exciter prior to transmission to the transparent sound panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth David Harris, Jr., Vian W. Y. Li, Timothy L. Trzepacz
  • Publication number: 20080118091
    Abstract: An alerting system (202) for a communication device (100) is provided. The alerting system is designed to operate in a plurality of operating modes. The alerting system includes a transducer (204) and an electromechanical switch (106). The transducer transforms electrical impulses into vibrations. The electromechanical switch couples the transducer to a first component (206) of the communication device in a first operating mode. Further, the electromechanical switch couples the transducers to a second component (208) of the communication device in a second operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Salomon Serfaty, Izak Avayu, Eyal Brami, Alexander Shmoukler
  • Publication number: 20080080735
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for an audio transducer. The audio transducer is excited by driving a paddle of a diaphragm. A plurality of node regions of a paddle is determined for the higher-order modal components, which correspond to resonance frequencies and have an order greater than one. An intersection region of at least two higher-order modal components is identified, in which an excitation point is located with the intersection region. The diaphragm of the audio transducer includes a frame, at least one hinge, and a paddle. The paddle connects to the frame by the at least one hinge and is excited by a signal source at an excitation point to produce an acoustic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Shure Acquisition Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Stephen Grinnip III
  • Patent number: 7317804
    Abstract: A sound collecting device is provided which is designed to minimize adverse effects on an output caused by exposure of an electroacoustic transducer to the air. The device includes an electroacoustic transducer and a vibrating circuit. The transducer is exposed to the air and responsive to input of a sound wave to produce a corresponding acoustic signal. The vibrating circuit vibrates the transducer to shake foreign substances such as dust or drops of water from the transducer. In a modified form, an electromagnetic sensor is provided which measures an electromagnetic noise transmitted to the transducer and which removes the electromagnetic noise from an output of the transducer to produce a noiseless acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7306073
    Abstract: A membrane (20) has a membrane axis (5) and a middle area (50), a central cup-shaped depression (52) being provided around said membrane axis (5), which depression (52) preferably has a connecting channel (53), wherein the middle area (50) comprises groups of stiffening grooves (54, 55, 56, 57) which extend parallel to radial directions and of which a first group of long stiffening grooves (54, 55, 56) extends up to the depression (52), said connecting channel (53) issuing into two of the long stiffening grooves (55, 56), thus interconnecting these two long stiffening grooves (55, 56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Ewald Frasl
  • Patent number: 7302068
    Abstract: A loudspeaker for audible sound is described having a sound emitting element mounted onto a support structure and at least one actuator adapted to rotate said sound emitting element around a hinge section, wherein the actuator is made of piezoelectric material. In variants the actuator forms part of the hinge section and the loudspeaker is capable of generating vibrations through its support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: 1 . . .Limited
    Inventors: Simon Andrew Longbottom, Andrew Matheson, Gareth McKevitt, Richard Topliss, Matthew John Pitts, Mark Richard Shepherd
  • Patent number: 7174025
    Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly comprising a visual display screen, a resonant panel-form member positioned adjacent to the display screen, and a vibration exciter to cause the panel-form member to resonate as an acoustic resonator. At least a portion of the panel-form member is transparent, through which portion the display screen is visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Henry Azima, Denis Morecroft
  • Patent number: 7085392
    Abstract: In combination with a loudspeaker assembly that includes a speaker diaphragm that is displaced to produce sound, the combination comprising a spinner element mounted to rotate in the path of sound waves produced by the speaker diaphragm; and a rotary drive for rotating the spinner, the spinner defining sound wave passing through openings, in said path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Scosche Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph K. Garretson
  • Patent number: 7082668
    Abstract: A mechanical resonance frequency of a vibration section of an electro-acoustic transducer having a vibrating function is measured during an assembly process, and is compared with a predetermined mechanical resonance frequency. Based on a difference obtained by this comparison, a weight to be attached and a position for fixing a vibration section to a frame is determined. In accordance with this determination, the weight for resonance frequency adjustment is attached to the vibration section, or suspension and the frame which have been provisionally fixed are fixed again. Thus, the predetermined mechanical resonance frequency can be obtained steadily. As a result, an electro-acoustic transducer having a vibrating function with stabilized mechanical resonance frequency of the vibration section can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihiro Ando, Kenichi Ajiki
  • Patent number: 7020295
    Abstract: A piezoelectric electroacoustic transducer includes a substantially rectangular piezoelectric diaphragm having electrodes and flexurally vibrating in response to application of an alternating signal between the electrodes, a resin case having a supporting member disposed inside sidewalls of the case for supporting the diaphragm, terminals insert-molded in the case so as to have internal connections exposed in the supporting member and external connections exposed on the external surface of the case, a conductive adhesive for electrically connecting the electrodes of the diaphragm to the internal connections of the terminals, an elastic sealant for sealing a gap between the external periphery of the diaphragm and the internal periphery of the case, and a lid plate for closing an opening of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hamada, Masayuki Fujino
  • Patent number: 6985593
    Abstract: A vibration reducing apparatus comprising, a baffle subject to vibration, a first electroacoustical transducer characterized by a first mass seated in the baffle, a second electromechanical transducer mechanically connected to said first transducer or said baffle in the vicinity of the periphery of the first transducer. The rear sides of the diaphragms of the first and the second transducer are not connected to the listening area. The first transducer and the second transducer are constructed and arranged to receive a common electrical signal so that the movable element in the first transducer and the movable element in the second transducer move in phase opposition in response to the common electrical signal to significantly reduce the vibrating force imparted to the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: George Nichols, Amar G. Bose, Hal P. Greenberger
  • Patent number: 6978031
    Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly includes a speaker diaphragm that is displaced to produce sound, and a spinner element mounted to rotate in the path of sound waves produced by the speaker diaphragm, the spinner defining sound wave passing through openings, in said path. Illumination of interior structure, may be provided, for visual effect through openings defined between rotating spinner arms, and between non-rotating grille arms. Different combinations of grilles and spinners are easily enabled by mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Scosche Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph K. Garretson, Lewis C. Iby
  • Patent number: 6834114
    Abstract: A rotor having a yoke is rotatably supported in a frame, and a stator provided in the frame at a central portion of the frame. An annular first permanent magnet is provided on the yoke, and an annular second permanent magnet is provided on the yoke. A diaphragm is supported in the frame, and a voice coil is secured to the diaphragm and inserted in a gap formed by the first permanent magnet. At least two coils are provided on the stator for forming magnetic fluxes between the rotor and the stator so as to rotate the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kobayashi, Akira Nikaido
  • Publication number: 20040244492
    Abstract: A mass is levitated with respect to a base, at least one of which is comprised of a diamagnetic material, with the levitated mass also having a permanent magnetic property. A second permanent magnet is optionally configured such that it attracts the levitation mass away from the base to overcome gravitational force on the mass, thereby suspending the mass over the surface of the base. The mass is contained in a nonmagnetic, non-shielding and optionally optically-transparent housing so as to limit its excursion within a range of levitation positions. A position measurement means such as a laser interferometer, capacitance detector, or pickup coil is configured to measure positional deviations of the mass in response to incident pressure wave, the output of which being an electronic signal representing the pressure wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Viktors Berstis
  • Patent number: 6807284
    Abstract: A speaker has a very small size and is arranged to emit sound waves in a non-directional manner. The speaker includes a case and a speaker unit attached to a plate provided at an opening of the case. The speaker is arranged so that the speaker unit is mounted or attached to a floor or support surface such that a space formed by the case, the plate and the speaker unit is airtight and so that the back-and-forth motion of a vibrator of the speaker unit generates expansion and contraction of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6798888
    Abstract: A mount for acoustic transducers has a resilient sheet with a plurality of mounting apertures therein. Each mounting aperture has an annular groove formed about the inside surface of the sheet to accommodate one of the acoustic transducers. A pair of rigid, acoustically transparent plates are mounted on each side of the resilient sheet. Each plate has a plurality of communication apertures in it which correspond to the mounting apertures of the resilient sheet. The acoustic transducers are inserted into the mounting aperture of the resilient sheet. The acoustically transparent plates provide structural support for the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas R. Howarth, Walter L. Carney, James L. Merryfield, Patrick L. Arvin, Phillip W. Meadows, Scott L. Small, James F. Tressler
  • Publication number: 20040165738
    Abstract: A weight is attached to the rear side of a magnetic circuit of a speaker unit. The tip of a boss that projects to the front side from the weight is joined to the rear side of a center pole of the magnetic circuit with a bolt. Even if reactive force that is generated when an electrical signal is converted into mechanical vibration by the magnetic circuit and a voice coil and sound waves are emitted from a vibration plate is transmitted to the magnetic circuit, the vibration of the magnetic circuit is suppressed by the weight. In this manner, sound quality with a good transient characteristic can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Tsumori, Akira Nishikawa, Hiroshi Kowaki, Hiroyuki Yoshii
  • Publication number: 20040161124
    Abstract: A speaker device 10 includes a first vibration system 12 that is connected to a diaphragm 24, and a second vibration system 13 that is driven in a contrary direction to the first vibration system 12. A magnetic circuit 11 is composed of a first plate 15, a second plate 18, a yoke 16, and a magnet 17, in which the first vibration system 12 has a first voice coil 20 connected to the diaphragm 24 and a frame 25, and the second vibration system 13 has a second voice coil 21 connected via a second damper 36 to the frame 25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicants: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hayato Otomo, Kenji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6751329
    Abstract: A drive module for attachment to a rigid panel and adapted to apply bending wave energy at audio frequencies to the panel whereby the panel can radiate an audio output. The drive module has a housing adapted to be secured to the panel, at least one foot on the housing and adapted to fix the housing securely to the panel, an electro-mechanical transducer in the housing, a support for the transducer in the housing, the transducer being adapted to contact the panel to apply bending wave energy thereto when energized with an electrical audio signal, and an audio signal amplifier in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Martin Colloms, Ian David MacFarlane
  • Publication number: 20040105567
    Abstract: A speaker mounting structure is provided in which a speaker frame (11) is fixed to a mounting panel (P) by engaging latching hooks (24L, 24R) and a latching clip (26) provided on the speaker frame (11) with mounting holes (22, 23L, 23R) formed in the inner panel (P) of an automobile door. The latching hooks (24L, 24R) and the latching clip (26) are disposed inside the outer peripheral edges of annular seal members (16, 17) that are bonded to a mounting surface (11a) of the speaker frame (11) and are in intimate contact with the inner panel (P). As a result, even when water infiltrates to the speaker (C) side from an opening (21) or the mounting holes (22, 23L, 23R) of the inner panel (P), the seal members (16, 17) can block the water and prevent it from flowing to the passenger compartment side. It is thereby possible to reliably avoid ingress of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Takayuki Kurihara, Hiroyuki Tanno, Shinsaku Sawa, Katsuya Shimomura
  • Patent number: 6744904
    Abstract: A speaker vibrating plate having a voice coil secured thereto is provided in a frame, a rotor having poles is rotatably supported in the frame, and a stator having poles is provided in the frame. A permanent magnet is provided in the rotor for forming a magnetic circuit passing through the rotor and the stator, and a stator coil is provided in the stator. A driving circuit is provided for energizing the stator coil for rotating the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kobayashi, Akira Nikaido
  • Patent number: 6739425
    Abstract: This invention presents a novel means to passively achieve a compact moving-coil actuator with a very low natural frequency. The diaphragm and voice coil are mounted in a sealed enclosure from which the air is partially or completely evacuated. This reduces the air spring effect. The diaphragm is supported by a non-linear, buckling, or collapsible support apparatus. By taking advantage of the non-linear stiffness properties of such structures, the stiffness of the actuator can be designed to be small at the operating point, which when combined with the moving mass, yields a low natural frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Steven Griffin, Benjamin K. Henderson, Joel Gussy, Steven A. Lane
  • Publication number: 20040091127
    Abstract: This invention has a cup-shaped external case 15 with a rising tube 15b in the center of the closed face 15c, the external case 15 accommodating the stator and rotor and the end of the shaft 1 opposite that where the brush seat 10 is assembled, such that by fitting the end of the shaft 1 into the rising tube from the inside of the external case 15, the external case 15 is held in a position parallel to the shaft 1, and such that by fitting the brush seat 10 into the open end of the external case 15, the external case 15 is held in place by the shaft 1 and the brush seat 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Hisafumi Yasuda, Yoshiharu Wakatsuki
  • Patent number: 6711269
    Abstract: A multifunction acoustic device has a rotor rotatably supported in a frame, a stator provided in the frame. A permanent magnet is provided on the rotor, a coil is provided for forming magnetic fluxes between the rotor and the stator. Voltage detecting means is provided for detecting a voltage generating at the coil. A voltage detected by the voltage detecting means in the operation of the acoustic device is compared with a reference voltage which corresponds to a voltage generating at abnormal rotation of the rotor and for producing an abnormal signal when the detected voltage is equal or higher than the reference voltage. In response to the abnormal signal, the rotor is rotated from a low speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kobayashi, Akira Nikaido
  • Patent number: 6590993
    Abstract: A panel-shaped loudspeaker includes a panel (1) and an exciter coupled to the panel. The panel is provided with two parallel extending thin walls (1a, 1b) which are interconnected by a structure of thin strip-shaped partitions (1c) situated between the walls. The longitudinal axes of all partitions extend parallel to each other and give the panel an anisotropic bending stiffness. The material of the walls and the partitions of the panel has an internal damping which is at least 2.5% of the critical damping of the relevant material, used in the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Guido O. M. D'Hoogh, David M. E. Corynen
  • Publication number: 20030095678
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loudspeaker (480), comprising: a support (483); a sound-generating element (481) mounted to the support for vibration to generate sound; and an electro-active device (485) coupled between the support and the sound-generating element for vibrating the sound-generating element (481) in response to an electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony Hooley, David Henry Pearce, Gareth McKevitt, Mark Richard Shepherd, James Allan, Simon Andrew Longbottom, Ursula Ruth Lenel
  • Patent number: 6522759
    Abstract: A reduced-size speaker for generating sound waves in wide low frequency audio region includes a cylindrical main body which is open at the top and bottom surfaces, a top lid being provided on the top surface of the main body and a circular ring-shaped base, which has a hole in its center, being provided on the bottom surface of the main body. A circular sound pipe is provided approximately in the center of the top lid and extends from the upper surface of the main body through the inside of the main body. A disc-like film is provided over the opening of the hole of the base, which is located at the outer side with respect to the main body, the disc-like film being held between the base and a circular ring-shaped bottom lid. A disc-like sound generator is provided in the opening of the hole of the base, which is located at the inner side with respect to the main body, with a circular ring-shaped damper provided in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takan Mori
  • Publication number: 20020114487
    Abstract: An electromechanical and electroacoustic transducer is compact and has a simple drive circuit. Two independent magnetic circuits share a single permanent magnet. A voice coil is placed in one of the magnetic circuits, and a magnetic weight is placed in the other magnetic circuit. A switching element is turned on and off upon movements of the magnetic weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Koji Maekawa
  • Patent number: 6438242
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer in which a plurality of cymbal-type electro-acoustic actuators are disposed in mechanical and electrical parallel between a pair of stiff plates. The resultant transducer resonates at a lower frequency than the cymbals, with a greater generated force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Thomas R. Howarth
  • Patent number: 6430297
    Abstract: A speaker has a very small size and is arranged to emit sound waves in a non-directional manner. The speaker includes a case and a speaker unit attached to a plate provided at an opening of the case. The speaker is arranged so that the speaker unit is mounted or attached to a floor or support surface such that a space formed by the case, the plate and the speaker unit is airtight and so that the back-and-forth motion of a vibrator of the speaker unit generates expansion and contraction of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6427016
    Abstract: Acoustic devices rely on bending wave action in a panel member, particularly distribution of resonant modes of such bending wave action and related acoustically significant surface vibration over area of said panel member favourable to desired or at least acceptable acoustic device performance. The devices comply with selecting parameters of said panel member affecting said distribution, including configuration/geometry and/or bending stiffness(es), and/or location(s) of bending wave transducer(s) in said area of said panel member; the selecting being in accordance with analytical assessment of power transfer related characteristic(s) of said panel member thus said acoustic device concerned and desiderata therefor correlating with achieving said acoustic device performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Henry Azima, Neil Harris, Bijan Djahansouzi
  • Patent number: 6411719
    Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly for use in electronic devices especially hand held communication devices e.g. a cellular mobile telephone, comprising a loudspeaker (12) for emitting sound through a front cover (9), and a board (8) for mounting components, the board (8) having a first side (10) carrying user interface means (5) accessible through the front plate (9), and a second side (11), facing towards a back cover (7). The loudspeaker (12) is mounted between the board (8) and the back cover (7). Thereby the electronic devices can be made very compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Erik Möster, Paul Larsson, Mats Olsson, Olof Simonsson, Mats Larsson, Rafael Portela
  • Publication number: 20020048386
    Abstract: A high definition electro-acoustic transducer is made up of at least one solenoid coiled on a rod, with the solenoid linked and electronically mounted in series or in parallel from any part of the audio electrical circuit. The pre-oriented particles of the ambient air undergo de-polarizations caused by the solenoid, which creates sounds. The impedance is adapted by an expert in the field, for example two or ten ohms, and the device, a fixed motor with rotating field, is an acoustic complement for all fields of audio and AV, acting in the ambient space, without using collisions of particles via a membrane, and giving an excellent acoustic reproductive finesse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Claude Annie Perrichon, Pierre Piccaluga, Patrice Morchain, Marc Charbonneaux
  • Publication number: 20010033669
    Abstract: A transducer (14) for producing a force which excites an acoustic radiator, e.g. a panel (12) to produce an acoustic output. The transducer (14) has an intended operative frequency range and comprises a resonant element which has a distribution of modes and which is modal in the operative frequency range. Parameters of the transducer (14) may be adjusted to improve the modality of the resonant element. A loudspeaker (10) or a microphone may incorporate the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Graham Bank, Neil Harris, Martin Colloms
  • Patent number: 6298140
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer with attenuated effective output irregularities caused by intrinsic normal modes of oscillation. What stands out, as a structural property of a preferred embodiment, is a sandwich assembly, having an oscillating medium of layered components suspended between two rigid baffles, with a hinged baffle extension supporting the device in upright position. An opening, asymmetrically positioned in each of said two rigid baffles, exposes to the ambient medium a driven and asymmetrically positioned antinode belonging to a predetermined mode pattern of the oscillating medium. The resulting asymmetrical and partial coupling of the oscillating medium with the ambient medium limits occurrences of irregularities in effective output. Similarly, the asymmetrical and partial driving of the oscillating medium leads to a relatively high number of normal modes simultaneously excited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Christos Manavopoulos
  • Publication number: 20010017924
    Abstract: A loudspeaker (81) comprising an enclosure, an acoustic radiator (2) in the enclosure, a compliant suspension (3) mounting the radiator in the enclosure for pistonic movement relative thereto, and transducer means (9) for driving the radiator pistonically, characterized in that the radiator is a panel-form distributed mode acoustic radiator, by a first transducer mounted wholly and exclusively on the radiator to vibrate the radiator to cause it to resonate, and by means (11) for varying the air pressure in the enclosure to cause the radiator to move pistonically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: HENRY AZIMA, MARTIN COLLOMS, NEIL JOHN HARRIS
  • Patent number: 6198831
    Abstract: A panel form loudspeaker/microphone combination has a distributed resonant bending wave member and two transducers mounred on the member at sites where the number of vibrationally active resonance anti-nodes is relatively high. One transducer is capable of vibrating the member to couple to and excite resonant bending wave modes in the member and cause the member to produce an acoustic output. The other transducer also is capable of coupling to he resonant bending wave modes in the member, but it produces an output signal in response to resonance of the member due to incident acoustic energy. The combination may be part of a loudspeaker system including an amplifier for the source signal coupled to the first transducer, and a signal receiver coupled to the second transducer for treating the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Henry Azima, Martin Colloms, Neil Harris
  • Patent number: 6108433
    Abstract: An ultrasonic emitter device having broad frequency range capacity with relatively large diaphragm displacement compared to typical electrostatic diaphragm movement. The device includes a core member able to establish a variable magnetic field adjacent the core member. A movable diaphragm is stretched along and displaced a short separation distance from the core member to allow an intended range of orthogonal displacement of the diaphragm within a strong portion of the magnetic field. At least one conductive ring disposed on the movable diaphragm within the influence of the variable magnetic field of the core member for enabling current flow through the ring for developing a second magnetic field which interacts with the first magnetic field to repel and relax the diaphragm at a desired frequency for development of a series of compression waves which may be adjusted to include an ultrasonic frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: American Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Elwood G. Norris
  • Patent number: 5995635
    Abstract: An apparatus to pick up and amplify sounds created by vibrations of a flexible member having a base which supports a sound pick up that transmits a signal to an amplifier. The apparatus is attached to the flexible member by an attachment assembly mounted on the base at an approximate center of gravity of the apparatus. The attachment assembly has two points of attachment such that when the flexible member is under tension a rotational force around the attachment assembly brings the sound pick up close to or in contact with the flexible member. The apparatus may also have the sound pick up mounted to a speaker that is mounted to the base. The apparatus may also have the sound pick up mounted to the base and transmit a signal to a separate amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: William Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5802189
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an electromechanical transducer for producing sound in response to an audio signal. The transducer has a generally rectangular enclosure, a diaphragm, a cylinder, a drive shaft, a lever means, and a motor means. The diaphragm is associated with the cylinder. The outer diameter of the diaphragm is substantially similar to the inside diameter of the cylinder. The diaphragm is slidably associated with the cylinder. The motor has the characteristic of rotating in response to the application of electric current from an audio source. The characteristic of rotating is limited to an arc having an angle of less than 180 degrees. Thus the motor can make only fractional rotations upon the application of electric current. A method for producing sound in response to an audio signal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Samick Music Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford L. Blodget
  • Patent number: 5282858
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed acoustic mechanism for an implantable hearing aid system having a signal processing unit having at least one electromechanical transducer coupled to the auditory system of a human. The transducer having an outer casing and at least one moving member extending outside the casing. The invention comprising a hermetically sealed bellows member having two ends and a generally cylindrical side wall. One end of the bellows member being hermetically affixed to the transducer casing and the other end of the bellows member being hermetically affixed to the moving member at a point outside the transducer casing. The side wall having a plurality of corrugations formed therein to allow the moving member to vibrate independently from the transducer casing while providing a hermetic seal protecting the interior of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Bisch, Shafig A. Khuhro, Paul DiCarlo
  • Patent number: 5255321
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer is disclosed for incorporation into an engine exhaust system or other gas carrying duct. The transducer produces pressure variations within the duct in accordance with an applied electrical signal. The transducer is especially suitable for use as part of a noise cancellation system whereby inverse pressure variations produced by the transducer cancel noise propagating in the duct. The design of the transducer allows its use when the duct is one carrying high temperature gases such as an automobile exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Fancher M. Murray, Richard L. Weisman
  • Patent number: 5251188
    Abstract: A sonic transducer (10) includes an elongated diaphragm (12) secured to a base (14) by a clamping member (16). The shapes of the surfaces (26, 30) by which the base (14) and clamping element (16) engage the diaphragm (12) are different at the end regions (28) from what they are in the side regions (32). The result is a more-rigid clamping at the ends than at the sides, which causes the lengthwise and widthwise stiffnesses of the diaphragm to be more nearly equal and thus the sound production from various regions of the diaphragm to be more nearly in phase than they would be if the clamping were uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Recurrent Solutions Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Natan E. Parsons, Joel S. Novak
  • Patent number: 5137110
    Abstract: An acoustic apparatus (10) adapted for use as either a sound projector or a ound receiver. The apparatus (10) comprises a bundle (20) of individual sound tubes (21, 22) disposed in a tube array unit (14) which rests on a support unit (13) operatively engaged with an acoustic unit (11). Only the ends of the individual sound tubes (21, 22) are provided with a plurality of spaced discrete sound ports (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignees: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc., The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Alfred J. Bedard, Jr., Randall T. Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 5125031
    Abstract: A loud speaker vibration transmitting apparatus has a speaker housing which encloses a speaker cone which vibrates within the housing and a propagation member which has a first contact end in contact with the speaker cone. In one embodiment, the propagation member extends out of the housing so that the vibration of the speaker cone can be directly transmitted out of the housing while the vibration also can be propagated into the housing. In another embodiment, the housing is designed to maintain a vacuum inside of the housing so that the vibrations of the speaker cone are propagated to the surface of the housing through the propagation member without transmitting audible sounds from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Robert Ledonne
  • Patent number: 4967871
    Abstract: A body-sensible acoustic device and an electromechanical vibration converter for use in the same. The body-sensible acoustic device includes frames forming the structure of a chair having a seat and a back, canvas members spread on the frame, and driver units driven by low-frequency audio signals for transmitting vibration to the canvas members. The canvas members are formed of a net of fibers covered with a foamed synthetic resin. The vibration converter includes a drive coil disposed in the air gap of a magnetic circuit, a coil bobbin transmitting motion of the drive coil to the outer case of the converter, and a damper supporting the magnetic circuit on the outer case. A guide hole is formed in the magnetic circuit at its center and extending in the direction of the acoustic axis. A coupling member is fitted in the guide hole having end portions coupled to the outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Komatsubara
  • Patent number: 4961227
    Abstract: A portable speaker having a speaker housing which vibrates in harmony with the audible sounds generated by the speaker. The speaker includes a loud speaker housing having a surface capable of vibrating and a speaker cone which vibrates within said housing to generate audible sound during the speaker's operation. A propagation member which has a first contact surface in contact with the speaker cone, and a second contact surface which is in contact with the vibration surface of the speaker housing is responsible for transmitting the cone vibrations to the housing surface. The transmitted vibrations causes the surface to vibrate in harmony with the audible sounds created by the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventor: Robert D. Le Donne
  • Patent number: 4951270
    Abstract: Transducer apparatus includes a two-part housing having a rear boss for securing the transducer to a wall. Within the housing are two magnetic elements for providing an output in response to electrical input signals, and the output is transmitted to the wall through the housing and rear boss. The magnetic elements are secured within the housing by the internal configuration of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Jay E. Andrews