Multilayered electrostatic transducer
AssigneeWarwick Acoustics Limited
InventorsBenjamin Martin Lisle, James Hedges, Samuel John Evans, Ashley Marriott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrostatic transducer includes first and second flexible conductive membranes; and first and second conductive stators. The membranes and the stators are assembled in a layered configuration with the membranes between the stators and with an enclosed volume of air sealed between the first and second membranes. The electrostatic transducer is arranged in use to apply an electrical potential which gives rise to an electrostatic force between the membranes and the stators that causes the membranes to move relative to the stators.
Claims8
An electrostatic transducer comprising:
- first and second flexible conductive membranes;
- and
- first and second conductive stators;
- wherein the first and second flexible conductive membranes and the first and second conductive stators are assembled in a layered configuration with the membranes between the stators and with enclosed volumes of air between the first and second membranes;
- wherein the enclosed volumes of air do not permit air to move freely in or out of the volumes in a way that transmits an acoustic wave;
- wherein the first and second membranes are mounted in the transducer with a spacer between them, wherein the first and second membranes together with the spacer enclose the volumes of air;
- wherein the spacer comprises a layer of material with apertures separated by walls and each aperture defines a respective one of the volumes of air that is sealed in by the membranes;
- wherein the spacer is bonded to the first and second membranes to seal the air inside the enclosed volumes;
- wherein the spacer has a hexagonal lattice shape;
- and
- wherein the electrostatic transducer is configured to apply an electrical potential which gives rise to an electrostatic force between the membranes and the stators that causes the membranes to move relative to the stators.
A method of manufacturing an electrostatic transducer, the method comprising:
- providing first and second flexible conductive membranes and first and second conductive stators;
- assembling the first and second flexible conductive membranes and the first and second conductive stators in a layered configuration with the membranes between the stators and with enclosed volumes of air between the first and second membranes;
- and
- arranging the electrostatic transducer such that the electrostatic transducer is configured to apply an electrical potential which gives rise to an electrostatic force between the membranes and the stators that causes the membranes to move relative to the stators,
- wherein the enclosed volumes of air do not permit air to move freely in or out of the volumes in a way that transmits an acoustic wave;
- wherein the first and second membranes are mounted in the transducer with a spacer between them, wherein the first and second membranes together with the spacer enclose the volumes of air;
- wherein the spacer comprises a layer of material with apertures separated by walls and each aperture defines a respective one of the volumes of air that is sealed in by the membranes;
- wherein the spacer is bonded to the first and second membranes to seal the air inside the enclosed volumes;
- wherein the spacer has a hexagonal lattice shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.