Acoustic assembly for a transducer

An acoustic assembly for use in a transducer, the acoustic assembly comprising:

• a first layer member, the first layer member including a first center portion and a first edge portion, a first aperture formed in the first layer member separating the first center portion and the first edge portion, the first layer member having a first stiffness;
• a second layer member, the second layer member including a second center portion and a second edge portion, a second aperture formed in the second layer member separating the second center portion and the second edge portion such that the second center portion is free to move relative to the second edge portion, the second layer member having a second stiffness;
• an assembly including the first layer member and the second layer member, wherein the first center portion and the second center portion are coupled;
• the first edge portion and the second edge portion are coupled, and the first aperture and the second aperture are substantially aligned to define a passage way between the assembled first and second center portions and the assembled first and second edge portions, the assembly having an assembly stiffness, the assembly stiffness being greater than either the first stiffness or the second stiffness;
• an integral hinge disposed in at least one of the first layer member or the second layer member, the hinge joining the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis, and
• a flexible layer member coupled to the assembly, the flexible layer member having a stiffness substantially less than the first stiffness, the second stiffness and the assembly stiffness, the flexible member substantially airtight sealing the passageway between a first side of the assembly and a second side of the assembly while sustaining an ability of the assembled first and second center portions to rotate relative to the first and second edge portions.