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US 2006/0078136 A1Published application
Chamber-loaded augmented passive radiator
OwnerEnrique Stiles, Richard Calderwoodinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A loudspeaker in which an electromagnetic transducer drives a chamber-loaded augmented passive radiator (APR). The loudspeaker uses a bandpass enclosure such that the transducer produces sound pressure directly into a listening space, and the APR produces sound pressure into the listening space via an acoustic coupler through a chamber which loads the large diaphragm of the APR. The augmented passive radiator enhances low frequency output, permitting the use of a smaller electromagnetic transducer, which in turn improves high frequency output. This improved loudspeaker system may be used in stand-alone loudspeakers, in-ceiling or in-wall loudspeakers, automotive loudspeakers, pro-audio loudspeakers, and in other applications.
Claims45
A loudspeaker comprising:
- an enclosure including a coupling chamber which is acoustically coupled to a listening space;
- an active transducer coupled to the enclosure;
- an augmented passive radiator coupled to the enclosure such that (i) it is driven by the active transducer and (ii) it generates sound pressure into the vented chamber.
A loudspeaker comprising:
- an enclosure including,
- a front face,
- a first enclosure structure coupled to the front face and enclosing a first enclosed air volume,
- a second enclosure structure enclosing a second enclosed air volume, and
- an acoustic coupler extending into communication with the second enclosed air volume;
- an active transducer coupled to the front face and having a diaphragm, a back surface of the diaphragm being in contact with the first enclosed air volume;
- and
- an augmented passive radiator coupled to the enclosure and having a back surface in contact with the first enclosed air volume, a second surface exposed to an ambient outside the first and second enclosed air volumes, and a third surface in contact with the second enclosed air volume.
5 more elements
A loudspeaker comprising:
- an enclosure enclosing a first volume of air in a first chamber and a second volume of air in a second chamber, the enclosure having a first hole and a second hole extending from an external region into the first chamber, a third hole extending from the first chamber into the second chamber, and a fourth hole extending from the external region into the second chamber;
- an active transducer coupled to the enclosure in the first hole such that a first surface of a diaphragm of the active transducer is in contact with the first enclosed volume of air;
- and
- an augmented passive radiator including,
- a first APR diaphragm coupled to the enclosure in the second hole such that a back surface of the first APR diaphragm is in contact with the first enclosed volume of air, and
- a second APR diaphragm coupled to the enclosure in the third hole such that a back surface of the second APR diaphragm is in contact with the first enclosed volume of air and a front surface of the second APR diaphragm is in contact with the second enclosed volume of air,
- the first and second APR diaphragms being substantially rigidly coupled to each other;
- whereby, when the active transducer operates and de/pressurizes the first enclosed volume of air, the front surface of the second APR diaphragm de/pressurizes the second enclosed volume of air, whereby the active transducer and the fourth hole produce sound into a listening space.
5 more elements
A loudspeaker comprising:
- (A) an enclosure enclosing a first volume of air and a second volume of air and including,
- a slot-loading vent extending from the second volume of air out through the enclosure in a first direction;
- (B) an active transducer coupled to the enclosure so as to have,
- a first surface of a diaphragm of the active transducer in contact with the first enclosed volume of air, and
- an axis of motion of the active transducer oriented in a second direction;
- (C) a first passive radiator coupled to the enclosure so as to have,
- a back surface of a diaphragm of the first passive radiator in contact with the first enclosed volume of air, and
- an axis of motion of the first passive radiator oriented in a third direction;
- (D) a second passive radiator coupled to the enclosure so as to have,
- a back surface of a diaphragm of the second passive radiator in contact with the first enclosed volume of air,
- a front surface of the diaphragm of the second passive radiator in contact with the second volume of air,
- the diaphragm of the second passive radiator substantially mechanically coupled to the diaphragm of the first passive radiator, and
- an axis of motion of the second passive radiator oriented in the third direction.
10 more elements
A loudspeaker comprising:
- an enclosure including a first chamber;
- a compound driver assembly coupled to the enclosure and including a plurality of electromagnetic transducers coupled in series to generate sound pressure into the first chamber;
- and
- an augmented passive radiator having a small diaphragm in contact with the first chamber, and a large diaphragm substantially rigidly coupled to the small diaphragm and exposed to generate sound pressure to a listening space.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.