US 12,598,429 B2Granted

Loudspeakers and methods of use thereof

AssigneeBrane Audio, LLC

InventorsJoseph F. Pinkerton, James A. Andrews, David A. Badger

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Electroacoustic drivers that can be utilized in loudspeaker systems that utilize drivers having a magnetic negative spring (MNS). The magnets of the MNS can be arranged for radial stability and/or to provide for linear magnetic forces. A variable reluctance device can be used to vary the resonant frequency of electroacoustic driver in response to a feedback signal.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A loudspeaker comprising:

(a) an enclosure;
(b) a sound panel mechanically connected to the enclosure;
(c) a moveable armature mechanically connected to the sound panel comprising an actuator operable to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, wherein the moveable armature is operable for moving the sound panel toward the enclosure to create a first air pressure force and away from the enclosure to create a second air pressure force;
and
(d) a magnetic negative spring that has a first magnetic negative spring portion that is mechanically connected to the moveable armature and a second magnetic negative spring portion that is stationary relative to the enclosure, wherein
(i) the magnetic negative spring is operable to provide a first magnetic negative spring force when the sound panel is moving toward the enclosure and a second magnetic negative spring force when the sound panel is moving away from the enclosure,
(ii) the first magnetic negative spring force is oppositely directed to the first air pressure force,
(iii) the second magnetic negative spring force is oppositely directed to the second air pressure force,
(iv) the first magnetic negative spring portion is comprised of a first armature magnet with a first axial midpoint and a second armature magnet with a second axial midpoint, wherein the first armature magnet and the second armature magnet are spaced apart by a first axial distance,
(v) the second magnetic negative spring portion is comprised of a first ring magnet with a third axial midpoint and a second ring magnet with a fourth axial midpoint, wherein the first ring magnet and the second ring magnet are spaced apart by a second axial distance,
(vi) the first axial distance is greater than the second axial distance, and
(vii) the axial distance between the first axial midpoint and the second axial midpoint is less than the axial distance between the third axial midpoint and fourth axial midpoint.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A loudspeaker comprising:

(a) an enclosure;
(b) a sound panel mechanically connected to the enclosure;
(c) a moveable armature mechanically connected to the sound panel comprising an actuator operable to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, wherein the moveable armature is operable for moving the sound panel toward the enclosure to create a first air pressure force and away from the enclosure to create a second air pressure force;
and
(d) a magnetic negative spring that has a first magnetic negative spring portion that is mechanically connected to the moveable armature and a second magnetic negative spring portion that is stationary relative to the enclosure, wherein
(i) the magnetic negative spring is operable to provide a first magnetic negative spring force when the sound panel is moving toward the enclosure and a second magnetic negative spring force when the sound panel is moving away from the enclosure,
(ii) the first magnetic negative spring force is oppositely directed to the first air pressure force,
(iii) the second magnetic negative spring force is oppositely directed to the second air pressure force,
(iv) the first magnetic negative spring portion is comprised of a first armature magnet with a first axial midpoint and a second armature magnet with a second axial midpoint, wherein the first armature magnet and the second armature magnet are spaced apart by a first axial distance,
(v) the second magnetic negative spring portion is comprised of a first ring magnet with a third axial midpoint and a second ring magnet with a fourth axial midpoint, wherein the first ring magnet and the second ring magnet are spaced apart by a second axial distance,
(vi) the first axial distance is greater than the second axial distance, and
(vii) the axial distance between the first axial midpoint and the second axial midpoint is less than the axial distance between the third axial midpoint and fourth axial midpoint.

9 more elements