Coaxial musical instrument transducer
AssigneeFishman Transducers, Inc.
InventorLawrence R. Fishman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. A thin layer of a piezoelectric polymer material is extruded about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the piezoelectric polymer material. Polarization of the piezoelectric polymer material is accomplished in conjunction with the extrusion process. The piezoelectric polymer material has an optimized thickness for consistent responsiveness across a desired range of input stimuli, and is capable of maintaining the integrity of the transducer over time. The transducer configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.
Claims27
A musical instrument transducer comprising:
- an inner conductor comprising electrically conductive material;
- a piezoelectric polymer layer about the inner conductor, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric polymer layer is less than half the thickness of the inner conductor;
- and
- an outer conductor, comprising electrically conductive material, disposed about the piezoelectric layer.
A method of fabricating a musical instrument transducer, comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrically conductive central core;
- providing a piezoelectric polymer layer about said electrically conductive central core, wherein said step of providing a piezoelectric polymer layer further comprises providing a piezoelectric polymer layer of a thickness less than one-half the thickness of said electrically conductive central core;
- forming an electrically conductive outer layer about said piezoelectric layer to produce an assembly;
- cutting said assembly to a desired length;
- and
- disposing electrically conductive leads in communication with said electrically conductive central core and said electrically conductive outer layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.