Piano string tuning using inductive current pumps and associated method of use
AssigneeDon Gilmore Devices, LLC
InventorDonald Allen Gilmore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for tuning piano strings by heating the piano strings. The apparatus includes split magnetic cores that encircle the piano strings. The magnetic cores comprise wiring wrapped around the outside of the magnetic cores to induce an alternating current in the piano strings through mutual inductance. The generated alternating current in the piano strings allows each piano string to be heated and thereby tuned.
Claims21
An apparatus for automatic tuning of a piano string comprising:
- a core having at least one first side member and at least one second side member, wherein the at least one first side member and at least one second side member are separated by a piano string when positioned or the automatic tuning;
- a wire winding wound around the two side members of the core, wherein the wire winding includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal of the wire winding located between the first terminal and the second terminal and connected to a positive terminal of a DC power supply;
- and
- an electrical switching mechanism configured to alternatingly electrically connect either the first terminal or the second terminal to ground to thereby induce an alternating magnetic flux in the core, thereby inducing an alternating electrical current in the piano string for the purpose of changing temperature and pitch of the piano string.
An apparatus for automatic tuning of a piano string comprising:
- a core having at least one first side member and at least one second side member, wherein at least one first side member and at least one second side member are separated by a piano string when positioned for the automatic tuning;
- a wire winding wound around the two side members of the core, wherein the wire winding includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal of the wire winding located between the first terminal and the second terminal and connected to ground;
- and
- an electrical switching mechanism configured to alternatingly electrically connect either the first terminal or the second terminal to a DC power supply to thereby induce an alternating magnetic flux in the core, thereby inducing an alternating electrical current in the piano string for the purpose of changing temperature and pitch of the piano string.
A method for inducing an alternating electrical current in a piano string to tune the piano string comprising:
- installing a current pump around a piano string by placing two members of the current pump on opposite sides of the piano string, wherein a wire winding is wound around the two members of the current pump;
- connecting a first terminal on a first end of the wire winding to ground while disconnecting a second terminal on a second end of the wire winding from ground;
- subsequently connecting the second terminal to ground while disconnecting the first terminal from ground;
- and
- applying a voltage to a third terminal of the wire winding located between the first terminal and the second terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.