Transducer for producing vibrational movement

A transducer configured to convert electrical signals into vibrational movement, the transducer comprising:

• at least two pairs of concentrically positioned electromagnetic solenoids;
• an axially-magnetised reciprocating magnet magnetically suspended in a null position in a plane that is between a first pair of at least two pairs of concentrically positioned electromagnetic solenoids and a second pair of the at least two pairs of concentrically positioned electromagnetic solenoids, wherein the axially-magnetised reciprocating magnet comprises an aperture such that the reciprocating magnet has an inner boundary and an outer boundary, wherein the at least two pairs of concentrically positioned electromagnetic solenoids are configured to drive the reciprocating magnet to reciprocate about the null position,
• at least one stationary magnet arranged to magnetically support the axially-magnetised reciprocating magnet in the null position, the at least one stationary magnet being positioned inside the inner boundary of the axially-magnetised reciprocating magnet and/or outside the outer boundary of the axially-magnetised reciprocating magnet;
• wherein a first solenoid of each of the pairs of concentrically positioned electromagnetic solenoids is positioned to influence the reciprocating magnet at the inner boundary more than at the outer boundary, and a second solenoid of each of the pairs of concentrically positioned electromagnetic solenoids is positioned to influence the reciprocating magnet at the outer boundary more than at the inner boundary.