Patent US3746898A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3746898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroacoustic transducer having improved transducing element supporting means
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-18
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A planar transducing element is supported within a transducer housing by a pair of specially dimensioned generally conical rubber washers. The first washer includes a first portion comprising a hollow frustum of a cone for spacing the element from the side walls of the housing, and a second generally conical portion integral with the first portion for seating the element and spacing it from the housing bottom. The second washer also includes a hollow frustum of a cone for spacing the element from the top of the housing. The washer design provides a relatively uniform support stiffness, independent of washer compression, enabling mass production of transducers having a desired frequency response characteristic. Additionally, the washers serve to prevent element damage due to shock and moisture condensation.
Inventors
- 👤 T Austin
- 👤 H Bryant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R7/00; H04R7/16; H04R7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An electroacoustic transducer for converting sound energy into electrical energy and vice versa, comprising a planar electromechanical transducing element operating in the audio frequency range, a housing defining a chamber for containing said element, said chamber having a bottom, a top, and a side wall, and meanS for peripherally supporting said element within said chamber and for damping the vibratory motion of said transducing element, said supporting means including, a first annular member having a first portion comprising a hollow frustum of a cone for spacing said element from said side wall and a second generally conical portion integral with said first portion for seating said element and for spacing said element from said bottom, and a second annular member comprising a hollow frustum of a cone for spacing said element from said top.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
An electroacoustic transducer for converting sound energy into electrical energy and vice versa, comprising a planar electromechanical transducing element operating in the audio frequency range, a housing defining a chamber for containing said element, said chamber having a bottom, a top, and a side wall, and meanS for peripherally supporting said element within said chamber and for damping the vibratory motion of said transducing element, said supporting means including, a first annular member having a first portion comprising a hollow frustum of a cone for spacing said element from said side wall and a second generally conical portion integral with said first portion for seating said element and for spacing said element from said bottom, and a second annular member comprising a hollow frustum of a cone for spacing said element from said top.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The einvention defined in claim 1 wherein said transducing element includes a polarizable ferroelectric ceramic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said ceramic material is selected from the group consisting of barium titanate and lead zirconate-lead titanate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said second generally conical portion forms an angle of approximately 25* with said side wall, and said second annular member forms an angle of approximately 25* with said side wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second annular members are rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said transducing element includes, a first piezoelectric ceramic disc having a pair of electrodes on each face thereof, a second piezoelectric ceramic disc having a pair of electrodes on each face thereof bonded to said first disc, and a layer of electrically nonconducting cement intervening between said discs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said transducing element includes, a piezoelectric ceramic body having a pair of electrodes on each face thereof, and a larger metal plate bonded to said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said ceramic body is rectangular and said metal plate is round.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electroacoustic transducer comprising: a planar piezoelectric ceramic transducing element, a housing defining a chamber having a top, a bottom and side walls for containing said element, and means for peripherally supporting said element within said chamber and for damping the vibratory motion of said transducing element, said supporting means including, a first annular member comprising a frustum of a cone for spacing said element from said bottom, and a second annular member comprising a frustum of a cone for spacing said element from said top.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electroacoustic transducer comprising: a planar piezoelectric ceramic transducing element, a housing defining a chamber having a top, a bottom and side walls for containing said element, and means for peripherally supporting said element within said chamber and for damping the vibratory motion of said transducing element, said supporting means including, a first annular member comprising a frustum of a cone for spacing said element from said bottom, and a second annular member comprising a frustum of a cone for spacing said element from said top.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said first and second members form an angle of approximately 25* with said side walls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said first annular member further includes means for spacing said element from said side walls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |