US1464729A - Method of and means for production of sonorous vibrations - Google Patents

Method of and means for production of sonorous vibrations Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US1464729A
US1464729A US196077A US19607717A US1464729A US 1464729 A US1464729 A US 1464729A US 196077 A US196077 A US 196077A US 19607717 A US19607717 A US 19607717A US 1464729 A US1464729 A US 1464729A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
magnet
armature
sonorous
rotor
core
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US196077A
Inventor
Melvin L Severy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US196077A priority Critical patent/US1464729A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1464729A publication Critical patent/US1464729A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10HELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/03Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using pick-up means for reading recorded waves, e.g. on rotating discs drums, tapes or wires
    • G10H3/08Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using pick-up means for reading recorded waves, e.g. on rotating discs drums, tapes or wires using inductive pick-up means

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to a method of and means for producing sonorous vibrations, and is more particularly intended for the production of musical tones of any desired loudness, itch, volume and quality.
  • pole or poles, core or cores, of a magnet trolla'bly varying the air-gap between the pole or poles, core or cores, of a magnet (said pole or poles, core or cores being connected to or associated with and adapted to vibrate a body, as for example, a str ng, reed, sound-board, diaphragm, or the like, which is capable of sonorous vibration), and an armature of magnetic material extending into the magnetic field or field of force of such magnet.
  • the force of attraction between the magnet and the co-actlng armature is so varied as to cause the magnetized metal of the magnet and the vibrating body with which it is con nected, alternately to approach and to recede from the associated armature, and thus to set up in the sonorous body vibrations of predetermined character, frequency and amplitude.
  • the frequency, amplitude and character of the vibrations may be varied and controlled by varying the form, character, material, mass or speed of movement of the armature, or of that portion of the armature which extends into the effective por tion of the magnetic field; by varying the nearness of said armature to the core or cores of said magnet; by varying the voltage of the energizin current or otherwise varying the strength of magnetization of said core or cores; by varying the character of the sonorous body; and in other ways.
  • the invention may best be embodied in a structure comprising any usual form of body capable of sonorous vibration and provided with a magnet, and with a rotor or arma-- ture composed of a disk or disks of magnetic material mounted upon a shaft and suitably rotated, the periphery of the disk or the peripheries of the several disks, being of such form as will, when rotated,-op ose to the magnet pole or poles successive y rtions extending alternately further and ess far into the efiective portion of the magnetic field, and into closer and less close proximity to the magnet pole or poles.
  • one or more disks or elements of a rotor may have a peripheral form or outllne suitable to produce vibrations which will generate the fundamental, while another disk or disks may be so varied in form or outline as to influence the vibrations in a manner to produce or accentuate any desired overtones or partials of such tone, or even to produce inharmonic vibrations where desired. In this way wide variety of tone values is made possible.
  • the present invention simplifies the construction and improves the operation of the mechanism by causing the magnetic rotor to act within the field of force of a magnet or magnet core directly carried by or connected with the sonorous body, which magnet may be either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet,
  • the magnetic rotor is so formed or fashioned as to vary the attraction between the mag net and the rotor with a frequency corresponding to the frequency of vibration of the sonorous body in producing a note or tone of predetermined pitch, and further, when a somewhat complex tone is desired so to effect the vibrations as to add to the fundamental of the tone produced, one or more partials, and to give to each partialso added such strength as will, together wlth the fundamental, produce a composite tone of desired quality or timbre.
  • the only mechanism requiring to be rotated or moved to produce the sonorous vibrations is one or more shafts each provided with one or more rotors or armatures (simple or compound as desired),
  • sonorous body or vibratory element there may be one sonorous body or vibratory element common to all the magnets, as in the case of a sound-board; or several vibratory elements each'common to a particular group of magnets, as several sound-boards or a subdivided sound-board; or an individual sonorous body or vibratory element for each magnet, as a string, diaphragm, reed, or the like.
  • Figure 1 shows a horn suitable for use as a warning signal on automobiles and other vehicles
  • FIG. 2 is a somewhat similar view, showing also means for automatically changing the character of the tone produced
  • Figure 3 is a face elevation of a rotor 01' armature composed of a plurality of disks or laminae, the respective peripheries of which bear outlines of differing wave-form,
  • Figure 4 illustrates an apparatus of the character shown in Fig. 1, but with a some what different form of rotor and with means to prevent lateral movement or displacement of the magnet or magnet core;
  • Figure 5 is a face view of a. rotor disk (partially broken away), the peripheral outline of which is substantially that suitable to the production of vibrations giving a sim le tone;
  • igure 6 is a face view of a rotor, the periphery of which has large primary elevations and depressions with smaller elevations and depressions between their high and low points, such form when used in connection with the sonorous body, educin a tone somewhat similar to that produce by a violin strin
  • Figure 7 is a iagrammatic illustration of a section of a musical instrument employing resonators and vibrating diaphragms equipped with means for varying the loudness or intensity and tone quality of the notes educed;
  • Figure 8 illustrates the invention applied to a sound-board of the piano type, here shown as equipped also with strings which may, however, be omitted;
  • Figure 9 illustrates the invention as applied to horns equipped with vibrating diaphragms, means being shown for changing the timbre or tone quality of the notes educed;
  • Figure 10 illustrates a resonator with vibrating diaphragm and an armature or rotor, the peripheral portion of which is concentric with the axis of rotation but is of wave form on its side faces, thereby giving variable mass in such peripheral portions;
  • Figure 11 shows a diaphragm equipped with a magnet of the horse-shoe type, each pole of which is opposed to a separate rotor or armature.
  • Fig. 1 16 indicates a diaphragm clamped or held in a casing comprising a centrally perforated disk member 17 and a clamping ring 15, between which a parts the diaphragm is clamped at its outer edge.
  • a horn 18 Extending from the central opening of the body or disk 17 is a horn 18, for gathering and directing the sound-waves produced by vibration of the diaphragm 16.
  • a magnet core 19 Centrally located upon and secured to said diaphragm 16 is a magnet core 19, freely movable axially within a fixed winding or coil 20 of insulated wire, which latter is in cluded in the circuit of a battery or source of electric energy, 21.
  • Said circuit also includes a circuit-closing switch or key 22, and a rheostat 23 for regulating the delivery of current to the coil 20 of the electromagnet.
  • This disk 24 represents a disk the periphery or inductively active portion of which is of wave form, the disk being flat and the sinuosity being produced by varying the distance between the axis of rotation and the periphery throughout the circumference thereof.
  • This disk constitutes a rotor or armature, and is carried by a rotatable shaft 25. Shaft 25 will be turned at such speed as will carry the alternate elevations and depressions of the disk through the magnetic field of and past magnet core 19 with a frequency corresponding to the rate of vibration necessary to the production of the predetermined note.
  • diaphragm 16 will be caused to vibrate with a frequency corresponding to the number of rotations of the rotor or armature 24 multiplied by the number of elevations on the periphery of said rotor.
  • Such vibration is due to the fact that when the air-gap is shortened, the force of attraction between the magnet core 19 and the disk or rotor 24 increases, and as the gap lengthens such force decreases.
  • attraction between a magnet and its armature is reciprocal, the magnet core 19 will move toward and from the rotor or armature as the latter rotates, thereby throwing the diaphragm into vibration.
  • the strength of the magnet and ma netic field may be varied as desired. This in turn will vary the amplitude of the vibrations of diaphragm '16 and the consequent loudness or intensity of sound.
  • the circuit-closer 22 may be of any usual form, as a small swinging lever, push button, or the like, while in the case of a musical instrument it may be a contact carried by a key of the keyboard.
  • FIG. 2 shows the same mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, except that the rheostat 23 is omitted, and there is shown means for automatically varying the timbre or tone quality of the note educed during the time that the magnet circuit is closed.
  • the electromagnet, diaphragm, diaphragm casing or holder, and horn, are as in Fig. 1.
  • An electric motor 29 is indicated, the shaft 28 of which takes the place of shaft 25 of Fig. 1, and carries a rotor 26 which in the present instance is represented as a composite rotor or armature built up of a series of disks or timbre-forms, as similar disks have been designated in certain of my prior patents.
  • the motor 29 receives current from'a battery or source 37 when the circuit is completed by the closing of a switch 38.
  • the magnet winding or coil 20 is in a branch or shunt from the circuit of source 37.
  • Rotor 26 is carried by a sleeve 37 axially movable upon shaft 28, but splined or otherwise so connected with said shaft as to compel joint rotation.
  • Sleeve 27 is provided with a circumferential groove 30, which receives a pin or stud carried by a lever 31 which is connected by means of a link 32, elbow-lever 33 and link 34 with a crank-pin of a Worm-wheel or disk 35, the periphery of which is furnished with worm teeth to engage a worm 36 formed upon or carried by shaft 28.
  • This connection between the worm or disk 35 and the slidable sleeve 27, for which any equivalent intermediate connection may be substituted, causes a reciprocating movement of the sleeve 27 and the rotor 26 so long as shaft 28 continues to turn and to rotate the worm-wheel 35.
  • Such movement of the shaft and rotor causes the disks constituting the rotor 26 to move crosswise of the magnet core 19, so that the disks are successively moved more or less into and out of the magnetic field, or into and out of close proximity to said magnet.
  • the separate disks making u the rotor 26 are of different form accor ing to the tone quality desired; in other words, one or more of the disks have the form suitable .to the production of the fundamental of the tone desired, while others are fashioned to produce selected partials or where desired inharmonic vibrations. s the rotor moves across the magnet core or pole, the vibrations of the diaphragm 16 will be varied as the different disks enter or recede from the position of strongest mutual attraction between the disk and the magnet core, and a tone of constantly changing quality will result.
  • the disk having the form necessary to educe such. fundamental or such selected partial or partials may be duplicated or repeated.
  • the disk or disks producing the fundamental will be located at the midlength of the series so as to keep such disk or disks constantly in the stronger part of the field, those for the harmonics being distributed, accordin to the result desired, on either side thereo .v
  • the proper positioning of the several disks is simply and effectively insured by providing the sleeve 27 with a spline and forming a spline seat in each disk, set in such angular-relation to the elevations and depressions of the periphery as shall bring the elevations and depressions of the respective disks into proper relation and maintain them there.
  • This figure also illustrates a rotor composed of three disks the peripheries of which differ in number and dimensions of the wave-forms which they respectively bear, and it also illustrates the above-described manner of effe'cting and maintaining the relative angular adjustment of the several disks, but it is obvious that any common and equivalent means of holding the disks in fixed relation to one another may be employed, such as rivets or bolts passing through the series.
  • Figure 4 shows another form of rotor or armature disk, and also indicates posts or stems 41, 42 carried by the clamping ring of the diaphragm shell or casing, and prqecting therefrom in the same general direction as does the magnet core 19'.
  • 39 and 40 indicate wires, tapes, cords, or the like, connecting the magnet core 19' with the posts or stems 41, 42, and serving to hold the magnet core against lateral displacement.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show forms of dlSk or rotor suitable respectively for the production of vibrations resulting in a simple tone and in a tone approaching or having some of the characteristics of that produced by a violin string.
  • Figure 7 shows a series of resonator pipes, each with its separate loudness-control rheostat and key, and also a loudness-control common to all the pipes, so that any pipe may be sounded with any loudness at any time and in any combination. This may be used for a signal system or for one of the synthetic tone-groups of a musical instrument.
  • A, B and C indicate respectively resonators, each comprising a pipe 43 having at its lower end a diaphragm 44 provided with a magnet core 45 encircled by and freely movable within a coil or bobbin 46 of insulated wire, each coil in the embodiment here illustrated connected in parallel with the circuit of a battery 53, or other source of electric energy.
  • the circuit or branch of each magnet coil is provided with a loudness-control rheostat 51, and a switch, circuit-closer or key 52.
  • the main battery circuit is provided with a general loudness-control individual to the more or less composite tone elicited, in the form of a rheostat 54,- and may have an additional switch or circuit-closer for permanently cutting out or bringing in the battery corresponding to what in a complete musical instrument would be a key of the key-board.
  • 47, 48 and 49 indicate rotors, which may be simple or compound, respectively extending into the fields of force of the magnets of the several resonator diaphragms, said rotors bein here shown as simple, the most common iorm where tones are to be synthetically built up. These rotors are carried by a shaft 50 rotated by a motor 55.
  • a synchronizer 56 is employed to maintain a constant speed of rotation for the shaft 50, or what is more important, a constant relative speed of the several rotor shafts where more than one such shaft is used.
  • the synchronizer may be of any known type capable of maintaining the requisite uniformity of speed, such, for instance, as shown in my Patent No. 1,163,473, or No. 1,186,851.
  • the rheostats 51 serve to control the supply of current to the respective magnets 45, and thus to control and determine the relative loudness or intensity of sound of theindividual diaphragms and resonators, while the rheostat 54 serves to control the loudness or intensity of sound educed by the several diaphragms and resonators as a oup.
  • the effect produced by ti e use ofrheostat 54 may be secured by bodily adjustment of the shaft 50 of Fig.
  • the magnets may be placed below the diaphragms or outside the pipes, but by arranging them on the side of the diaphragm opposite that which faces the rotor, the use of stays to prevent lateral displacement of the magnets through dra of the rotor is rendered unnecessary, wlwel the action in roducing vibration remains the same. istortionor unsymmetrical fiexure of the diaphragm is thus prevented, and a pure tone insured.
  • 57 indicates the sounding board of a piano or like instrument
  • 60 indicates the head of a hammer of the iano action, the remainder of such action ing omitted as unnecessary to the present description.
  • the instrument as shown in said figure, is provided with strings 59, onl one of which is seen in said figure, each string having a magnetic damper control in general principle such as set forth in cer- ,tain of my prior patents.
  • This comprises for each string, an electromagnet 62 placed in proximity to a soft iron armature 66 of a damper lever 63 provided with the usual felt damper 65, which is normally pressed against the strings by a distended spring 64.
  • the electromagnet 62 is included in the circuit of a batter or other source 21, which when a circuit-closer 22 completes the battery circuit, as it does on the depression of the corresponding key, energizes said magnet 62 and withdraws the amper 65 from the string. Also included in said circuit or a derivative thereof, is the fixed coil or winding 20 of an electromagnet, the movable core 19 of which is secured to the bridge 58 of the sounding board 57. In front of and extending into the magnetic fields of the magnet cores 19 are rotors 24, here shown as rotated by a belt, passing about a drive-wheel '61 and a pulley on the shaft which carries said rotors, or in any usual way.
  • the strings are not essential and may be wholly omitted, the soundboard being suflicient in itself to generate the necessary sound-waves when thrown into vibration.
  • the string 59, damper, etc. may be omitted.
  • each rotor group comprises three units 74, 75 and 76, suitably spaced apart and made fast to a shaft- 67.
  • Each rotor 74, 75 and 7 6 may be, and in Fig.
  • each of said rotors 74, 75 and 76 carries disks designed to call forth, when rotated in proximity to its associated magnet core, either the fundamental with selected partials differing from those of the companion rotors of the unit, or the same partials, but inwarying loudness determined by the mass given to the respective disks of the individual rotors.
  • the shaft- 67 is splined through a portion of its length so that it may slide axially through a drive Wheel 68, but may not rotate independently of the wheel.
  • the wheel 68 is held against axial movement but is free to rotate, turning with it the splined shaft 67, said wheel receiving motion through a belt 69 or equivalent means.
  • the shaft 67 is provided with a grooved collar 70, which through longitudinal movement of said shaft may be brought into alinement with any one of several stops or locking-pins 71. 72 or 73, which are so positioned and spaced as to hold in plane with the respective magnets 16 the right-hand, medial, or left-hand rotor unit of' their respective groups.
  • the opposite extremity of shaft 67 is provided with a swivel head or other means of connection with a lever or device for effecting the axial movement of said shaft, to bring into active relation to a given magnet the particular rotor unit desired.
  • another given type of vibrating body may be caused to produce sounds or tones simulating more or less closely different or varied instruments, or sounds characteristic of a single instrument but varying in tone quality.
  • an instrument can be built under the present invention capable of simulating other known instruments, or of simulating the combined effects of several other and different instruments, or of simulating even human voices.
  • FIG 10 there is shown a resonator pipe 77 having a vibratory diaphra m 78 with a permanent magnet 79 centrally attached thereto, said magnet extending toward a rotor 80, the periphery of which is cylindrical but of varying width.
  • the peripheral portion of the rotor has fluted or scalloped side faces.
  • said magnet will approach and recede from the rotor as the portions of said rotor of greater and of lesser mass pass through the magnetic field and in proximity to the magnet pole.
  • FIG 11 I have shown a horse-shoe electromagnet core 82 carried by the diaphragm or Vibrating body 81, and having separate coils 83 and 84 fixed in space and through which the poles of the magnet freely move in an axial direction.
  • rotors 85 and 86 which usually, though not invariably, will be of identical clntracter, said rotors being carried by a shaft 87 rotatable in fixed bearings, as shown in various of the other figures.
  • This form gives opportunity for more powerful attraction of the magnet and diaphragm than does the single core magnet.
  • the advantages are very r ,rked.
  • the sonorous wave can be made exactly what is desired, and great purity of tone is secured.
  • the method and the instrument are especially adapted to synthetic tone production and make possible the production or generation of any fundamental tone with any desired partials or overtones; in other words, the tone quality of each note can be controlled and varied as desired, and musical instruments can be furnished having those peculiar qualities which the difiering tastes 0 highly trained musicians demand. This may be done regardless of certain defects inherent in various reproducing systems.
  • diaphragms which possess tlie quality of reproducing a wide range of musical tones, commonly or frequently respond unduly to or reproduce with undue emphasis, certain tones to which they are peculiarly sensitive. Such over-accentuated tones mar the general result, or in some instance even produce a tone other than that intended.
  • defect may readily be com nsated for or neutralized through the amp oyment of rotors having their periphcries specially designed to that end, by the use of a lurality of rotors of given configuration, by the inclusion or elimination of selected partials, by combining two or more of these modes of varying the tone quality, and in other ways.
  • the designing and development of the requisite curves is a matter which can be certainly and accurately accomplished by simple means heretofore devised and patented.
  • This invention is not confined to the use of rotating or revolving bodies to create vibration of the sonorous body. y means of moving the requisite sinusoidal form past the magnet or vise versa, may be employed,
  • an endless belt as for instance, an endless belt, a disk or wheel having the wave surface formed upon or applied to its side face, and the like.
  • Figs. 2 and 9 I show a means for altering the intensity of the tones produced by armatures revolving adjacent energized magnet-cores, such movement in the case of Fig. 9 being in some instances suflicient practically to uench the action of one armature, and su sequently, if continued far enough, to initiate the action of another or mature.
  • This variation is accomplished by increasing or decreasing the air-gap between the magnet-cores and their associated armatures.
  • the gap may,-and stop mechanism is provided so that it shall,-at times be so increased as progressively to silence, or entirely out out of the effective magnetic circuit, certain of the armatures.
  • Fig. 9 the gap may,-and stop mechanism is provided so that it shall,-at times be so increased as progressively to silence, or entirely out out of the effective magnetic circuit, certain of the armatures.
  • I may secure t e expressional effect of rheostat 54 by altering the distance between the magnet-core or cores and the associated armature or armatures by, movements sensibly parallel to the direction of said cores, as shown in my Patent No. 1,218,324, dated March 6, 1917, or,1n my Patent No. 1,190,332, dated July 11, 1916, or in the patent granted to George B. Sinclair and myself, numbered 1,137,544 and dated April 27, 1915.
  • the rotors here shown are similar in construction to the laminated rotors set forth in Patent No. 1,137,544, granted to myself and George B. Sinclair, and dated April 27, 1915, in that the may be made up of separate laminae.
  • the rotors are made up of such laminae, each bearing upon its periphery wave-forms, and the wave-forms of the several laminae being placed in the same or in diflerent angular relation to the axis of rotation.
  • the rotors now under consideration differ from those of said Patent No. 1,137,544 in that the wave-forms of different laminae are unlike, certain thereof being approprlate to the production of magnetic pulsations to educe the fundamental of the desired tone,
  • magnet or magnet core as directly secured to and carried by the vibrating body and prefer such arrangement, it is obvious that it may be separately mounted and guided, and connected with the vibrating body through intermediate means.
  • the electromagnets are either energized by a direct current of normally constant voltage, which, however. may be varied by the introduction or withdrawal of resistance into and fromthe mag net circuit or circuits, or by a current the volta e of which may be changed at will, in or er to decrease or increase the loudness or intensity of sound; and further, that ⁇ ibration of the sonorous body is effected by directly varying, with the requisite frequency, the magnetic ga between each magnet core connected wit a sonorous body, and the rotor associated with such, magnet core, or by varying the mass of magnetically inductive material of the armature moving through the field of each magnet, or--finally, by combining the two effects.
  • This mode of producing or generating sonorous vibrations and determining the loudness or intensity of sound and quality of tone educed avoids entirel the use of pulsatory currents, and I believe to be broadly new.
  • the rotor disks or laminae are, in their more usual form, provided with angularly spaced peripheral portions which may be and ordinarily will be, of like form and mass though not always so, and that these peripheral sections may be further divided into successive elevations and depressions, or successive portions of greater and less mass, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6.
  • the Wave-forms, as these separate peripheral sections are commonly termed, are repeated orrecurrent and will be so referred to in certain of the claims.
  • the sonorous body vibrated by means of electromagnets is of the sound-board type and is acted upon by a plurality of magnets, the sound-board or sound-boards being either one integral body or in separate parts or sections as preferred.
  • the sections or areas of the sound-board .or vibratory body will be acted upon. each by a plurality of magnets.
  • the specific construction of the sound-hoard is not herein set forth or claimed, as that may vary and will be set forth in one or more separate applications, though any usual type may be employed.
  • moving armatures are made to cause motion in magnets or the cores thereof, associated with or attached to sonorous bodies, and while, for convenience,
  • peripheral portion of each rotor or armature, or that rtion which traverses the effective magnetic field of any magnet-core of the instrument is specially formed according to the effect sought to be produced in the vlbration .of the sonorous body with which the magnetcore is associated.
  • each distinct section of the armature while the same as other sections of the same armature, vary in mass and in form from its leading to its trailing extremity, this variation being effected by increasing a or decreasing the transverse or cross-sectional area of the section radially, axially, or on any other line that will cause differentv armature masses to be presented to the magnet-core as any given section of the armature passes through the effective field of the magnet-core.
  • This is the meaning of the expression formed lprojections occurrin in one or more of t e claims.
  • the method of producing musical tones which consists in connecting with a body capable of sonorous vibration, a magnetcore provided with means for energizing the same; and moving through the effective field of said core an armature of magnetically inductive material provided with regularly recurring sections, each section being of unequal mass at different points in the direction of movement of the armature, successive sections being caused to pass through the magnet field with a frequency corresponding to the frequency of vibration necessary to produce the predetermined tone.
  • the method of roducing musical tones of desired quality w ich consists in moving throu h the effective field of a magnet-core provided with means for its energization, and connected with a body capable of sonorous vibration, an armature of magnetically inductive material, different parallel zones of said armature having their periphcries provided with recurrent sections, each section of a 'ven zone similarly differing in mass at difierent points in the direction of moyement of the armature, and the several zones of the armature being fashioned respectively to educe, when moved in'unison and at proper speed, vibrations of the sonorous body of fre uencies to produce a complex tone with se ected partials.
  • the method of producing musical tones of desired quality which consists in moving through the effective field of a magnet-core provided with means for its energization and connected with a body capable of sonorous vibration, a laminated armature of magnetically inductive material, each lamina having successive portions of like form and dimensions but varyin in mass in the direction of movement of t e armature, the successive portions of each lamina differing from those of some of the other laminae in form and mass, said armature being moved at a speed suitable to produce sonorous vibrations of frequencies to educe the desired fundamental of the predetermined tone and to'educe or emphasize selected partials of said tone.
  • the method of producing musical tones which consists in moving through the field of a magnet-core having means for its energization and connected with a body capab e of sonorous vibration, an armature of magnetically inductive material having successive portions of like form and mass, each such portion of unequal mass at different points in the direction of travel of the armature, said armature being moved at a sensibly constant predetermined speed, whereby its portions of progressively increasing and decreasing mass. in passing through the effective magnetic field vary the inductive action and the attractive force of the magnet-core and effect vibration of the sonorous body, the successive portions of the armature being moved through the effective magnetic field with a frequency to educe the fundamental of the tone desired.
  • the method of producing musical tones of any desired pitch and quality which consists in providing means capable of sonorous vibration with electromagnets for vibrating the same in accord with fluctuations of the several magnetic circuits; and movin through the effective field of any selected magnet or magnets a magnetically inductive armature, each armature having a plurality of sections differing in mass atlfdifferent points in the direction of its travel and dining in number in the several armatures,
  • I one of said armatures being fashioned to producein its ma etic circuit when moved at a proper s pulsations of the periodicity of the fundamental of the desired tone, and another or others thereof being fashioned to produce, each in its magnetic circuit, pulsations of a periodicity corresponding to some other partial of the predetermined tone.
  • An apparatus for the production of sonorous vibrations comprising, a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet for vibrating the same; a continuous armature of magneticall inductive material movable through the e ective portion ofthe magnet field, 'and having that ortion which enters said field varying wit recurrent sections similarly varying in mass and outline inthe direction of movement; and means for imparting to said armature a sensibly constant speed of movement through said part of the magnetic field.
  • An apparatus for the production of musical tones comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet for vibrating the same; an armature of magnetically inductive material, a part of said armature movable about'an axis and through a portion of the field of said magnet, the portion of said armature movin through said field being made up of equa y spaced recurrent sections each var ing in mass and outline in the direction 0 rotation of the armature; and means for imparting to said armature apredetermined and sensibly constant speed of movement such as will carry said recurrent sections past the magnet with a frequency equal to the frequency of vibration necessary to educe a tone of the predetermined pitch.
  • An apparatus for the production of musical tones of predetermined pitch and quality comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; amagnet for vi rating the same; a laminated armature of magnetically inductive material rotatable about its axis and having its peripheral portion movable through the effective field of said magnet, the peripheral portion of each lamina being made up of equally spaced sections, each of varying mass and outline in the direction of travel at least one of the laminae being fashioned to produce vibrations giving the fundamental of the desired tone, and another or others thereof being fashioned to supplement or capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core associated therewith; an-energizing coil encircling said core; a source of electric energy in circuit with said coil; an armature of magnetically inductive material extending into the field of said magnet, and having the portionsadapted to pass by said core composed of recurrent sections, each section var ing in mass and outline in the direction encircling said core; a source of electric enorgy in circuit with said coil an armature of
  • a body capable of sonorous vibration a magnet core connected with said body and projectin mainly from the front face thereof; a fixe coil encircling said core but detached therefrom; a rotatin armature of magnetically inductive material placed on the same side of the vibrating body as the main body of the magnet core, said armature extending into the field of said magnet and having the portion adapted to move through the field of said magnet composed of a series of sections, each section varying in mass and outline in the direction of its travel; and means for movin the armature through said field at a sensi ly constant speed such as will resent sucessive sections thereof opposite tlie magnet core with a frequency corresponding to the normal frequency of vibration of the sonorous body in educing the fundamental of a tone of predetermined pitch.
  • an apparatus for prodficing sonorous vibrations the combination of a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core for vibrating the same; an energizi coil encircling said core; a source of electric enorgy in circuit with said coil; an armature of magneticall into the fie d of said magnet and having a portion within said field, of var ing mass and outline in the direction of its travel; means for moving said armature through the field of said magnet at a predetermined cod; and means for varying the attractive flirce between the magnet core and its associated armature.
  • a body capable of sonorous vibration a magnet core for vibrating the same; an energizing coil encircling said core; a source 01 electric energy in circuit with said coil; an armature of magnetically inductive material extending into the field of said magnet, and having a portion within said field of var mg mass and outline in the direction 0 its travel; means for moving said armature through the field of said magnet at a predetermined speed; and means for adjustlng the distance between the magnet core and the axis of the armature. 15.
  • an apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations the combination of a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core for vibrating the same; an ener 12mg coil encircling said core; a source of e ectric energy in circuit with said coil; means in circuit with said source of energy for varying the voltage of current delivered to said coil; an armature of magneticall inductive material extending into the fiel of said magnet and having a portion adapted to move through said field, said portion composed of a series of sections each section varying in mass and outline in the direction of its travel; and means for moving said armature through the field of said magnet at a predetermined speed.
  • An apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet for vibrating said body; an armature of magnetically inductive material projecting into and movable through the field of said magnet, said armature having its inductively active portion formed with a series of sections,'each section varying in mass and outline in the direction of movement of the armature, whereby such movement will cause variation of the air-gap between the magnet and armature; and means for moving said armature at a speed to carry the armature sections through the magnetic field with a frequency corresponding to the frequency of vibration of the sonorous body when educing a predetermined tone.
  • An apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core connected therewith; a motor; a magnetically inductive rotor splined and axially movable upon the shaft of said motor; a worm carried by the motor-shaft; a worm-wheel meshing with said worm; and connections between said wheel and the splined sleeve, whereby the rotor is automatically moved axially along the shaft, said rotor being composed of a plurality of disk each having a sinuous periphery projecting into the field of the ma et, the outlines of the several disks di ering from one another.
  • An apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet-core connected with said sonorous body; a magnetically inductive armature or rotor having a peripher of sinusoidal form extending into the ef'ectivc field of said magnet-core; an energizing coil for said core; a source of electric energy in circuit with said coil; means for rotating the armature; and means for moving the armature axially to carr it more or less into and out of the effective magnetic field.
  • a musical instrument comprising a series of magnet-cores each provided with an energizing coil and each associated with a sonorous body to which it communicates vibrations; a source of electric energy for said coils; a switch or key for opening or closing each coil circuit independently; a series ofmagnetically inductive rotors, one such rotor associated with each of said magnet-cores and projecting into the effective field thereof; means operable at will for increasing or diminishing the force of attractionbetween the magnet-cores and their associated rotors; means for rotating said rotors, each rotor having its periphery formed with like recurrentsections e ually spaced angularly about the axis of t e rotor and each varying in mass at different points in the direction of travel; and speed-controlling means serving to maintain a uniform rotation of the rotors at a rate of speed which will cause successive peripheral sections of each rotor to traverse the magnetic field with a frequency corresponding to the characteristic frequency of vibration of its am
  • a musical instrument comprising a series, of bodies each capable of sonorous vibration and each provided with a magnet core; separate energizing coils for the respective magnet cores; :1 source of electric energy to which the energizing coils are joined; a switch or key for opening and closing each respective coil circuit independently; rheostats individually variable, included in the coil circuits; means operable at will for varying the degree of the attractive force between all of said magnets and their coacting armatures simultaneously; a
  • a series of magnets each associated with and capable of vibrating a sonorous body; a rotor for each magnet, projectinginto the field thereof, each rotor composed of a series of laminae, each lamina having a periphery formed with recurrent sections varying in mass and outline in the direction of rotation, one or more of the laminae of each rotor being fashioned to create pulsations suitable to educe the fundamental of the predetermined tone, and others of the laminae bein fashioned to add to or modify such vibrations as to educe or accentuate a selected partial or partials of such tone.
  • a body capable of sonorous vibration a magnet-core connected with a d serving to communicate vibratory move: ment thereto; an energizing coil for said core, including a source of electric energy;
  • an armature having a peripheral portion provided with a series of like sections uniformly spaced, each section of different mass at different points in the direction of its movement, said peripheral portion extending into and movable through the effective field of the core; and means for moving said armature sections at a sensibly constant speed, whereby the spacedsections are caused to pass-successively through the effective field with a fre uency corresponding to the frequency 0 vibration of the sonorous body when giving off the predetermined tone for which the armature is designed, the alternate increase and decrease of armature mass within the effective field serving correspondingl to increase and docrease the attractive orce of the magnetcore, and conse uently to effect vibration of the sonorous bo y.
  • a body capable of sonorous vibration; a horse-shoe magnet core associated with said body and serving to communicate vibrator movement thereto; energizing coils, one or each magnet leg or pole;
  • a musical instrument comprising resonant means; a plurality of magnet-cores associated therewith and serving to communicate vibration thereto; means for independently energizing and de-energizing any or all of said cores at will; armatures of magnetically inductive material, respectively associated with the respective magnetcores, and provided with peripheral sections of like form each varying in mass and form at diflt'erent points in the direction of its travel, said sections being movable through the effective fields of the magnetcores with which they are respectively associated; and means for moving successive sections of each armature through its magnetic field with a frequency to produce in the resonant means, vibrations of a periodicity conforming to the characteristic periodicity of the associated resonant means in producing a predetermined tone of the musical scale.
  • a musical instrument comprising resoencircling said core; a source of electric energy 111 circuit with said c011; a laminated I armature of magnetically inductive material extending into the field of said magnet, the periphery of each lamina having like and equally spaced formed projections varying in mass and outline at different points in the direction of its travel, the projections of one lamina differing from those of another; and means for moving the formed projections of said armature through the effective field of its magnet at a predetermined speed suitable to educe from the sonorous body selected artials of the predetermined tone.
  • a musical instrument comprising resonant means; a plurality of magnets associated therewith and capable of communicating thereto vibrations of the relative ratios subsisting in the musical scale selected; means, operable at will, for energizing and de-energizing any of said magnets; rotatable armatures of magnetically inductive material associated with said magnets, eachoperating when rotated, to cause its juxtaposed magnet and associated resonant means to vibrate whenever said magnet is energized; means for imparting to said armatures a suitable and sensibly constant rotative.
  • a musical instrument comprising a series of magnets, preferably one for each note of the musical scale selected; resonant means to which said magnets communicate vibrations; means, operable at will, and including a source of electrical energy, for energizing and de-energizing any of the said magnets independently of any of the others; armatures of magnetically inductive material, a part of each armature mounted to move through the field of its associated magnet, and having adjacent inductively active portions of difi'erent mass and conformation; means, including a source electric energy, for rotating said armatures; and means, operable at will, for determining the degree of attractive force exerted at any one time between the magnets then energized and their associated armatures.
  • a musical instrument comprising a series of magnets, preferably one for each note of the musical scale selected; resonant means to which said magnets communicate vibrations; means, operable at will, and including a source of electric energy for energizing and de-energizing any of said magnets independently of any of the others; armatures of magnetically inductive material, a portion of each armature adapted at any one time to rotate opposite the core of its associated magnet; means operable at will, for effecting relative adjustment of the armature and associated core in the direction of the axis of said armature, each armature having its inductively active portion formed in successive sections of 'mass and outline varying at difl'erent points in the direction of rotation; means, including a source of electric energy, for rotating said armatures; and means, or increasin o-r diminishing at will and for any desire period of time the degree of attractive force exerted between the magnets then energized and the portions of theirnssooiated
  • Means for producing musical tones of desired timbre comprising a series of magnetic circuits, one for each note of the l'IlllSlcal scale selected; means, operable at will for energizlng and de-ener izin'g any of said circuits independently 0 any of the others; resonant means to which the vibrations caused by the fluctuations of said circuits are communicated; armatures of magnetically inductive material included in and constitutin parts of the magnetic circuits, having them inductively active portions of different mass and outline in the direction of travel; means for rotatin said armatures at suitable speed and there y causing said fluctuations; and means, operable at will, for regulating the strength of said fluctuations and the amplitude of the vibrations of said resonant means- 32.
  • Means for producing musical tones of desired timbre comprising a series of magnetic circuits, one for each note of the musical scale selected; means, operable at will for energizing and de-energizin any of said circuits independently of any 0% the others; resonant means to which the vibrations caused by the fluctuations of said circuits are communicated; armatures of magnetically inductive material formed to cause, when rotated, circuit fluctuations of predetermined strength and frequency relative to each other and to the simultaneous fluctuations of the other circuits; and means for rotating said armatures at suitable speed past the poles of their associated magnets, to create the said fluctuations in the said circuits and in their associated resonant means.
  • Means for producing musical tones comprising a series of ma etic circuits, one for each note of the musical scale selected; means, operable at will, for energizing and daenergizing any of said circuits independently of any of the others; sonorous means to which the vibrations caused by the fluctuations of said circuits are communicated; armatures of magnetically inductive material formed to cause, when rotated, circuit fluctuations of predetermined strength and frequency relative to each other and to the simultaneous fluctuations of the other cir-' cuits; means for rotating said armatures at suitable speed past the poles of their associated magnets, to create the said fluctua-' tions in the said circuits and in their associated sonorous means; and means, operable at will, for increasing and decreasing the strength of said fluctuations as a whole while reserving their relative values.
  • cans for producing musicaltones of desired pitch and timbre comprising a series of magnetic circuits, one for each note of the musical scale selected; means, operable at will,'for ener izi'ng and de-energizing any of said circuits mdependently of any of the others; sonorous means to which the vibrations caused by the fluctuations of said magnetic circuits are communicated; armatures of magnetically inductive material formed to cause, when rotated, magnetic circuit fluctuations of predetermined strength and frequency relative to each other and to the simultaneous fluctuations of the other circuits; means for rotating said armatures at suitable speed past the poles of their associated magnets, to create the said fluctuations in said magnetic circuits and in their associated sonorous means; means, operable at will, for increasing and decreasing the strength of said fluctuations as a whole while preserving their relative values; and means, operable at will, for changing the characteristics of the fluctuations by rendering inductively active portions of said armatures which previously were inductively inactive,
  • a sonorous body a magnet-core connectedwith said body and serving to communicate vibratory movement thereto; means for energizin said core; and a normally unmagnetized rotor included in circuit with the energizing coil of the magnetcore, for producing when rotated, pulsations in said circuit and consequent variations in the attraction between the magnetcore and the rotor, said rotor com rising aplurality of laminae of magnetical y inductive material, each lamina being a disk the radii of which are of different lengths at difierent angular points, certain ofsaid laminae being of conformation difierent from that of the others.

Description

Aug. 14, 1923. 1,464,729
M. L. SEVERY METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PRODUCTION OF SONOROUS VIBRATIONS Filed Oct. 6, 1917 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Fig. 1
@ fivenzor I I Malt/in L. AS73087 W zxe fi/ xmz Z115 Aiiornggg Aug. 14, 1923. 1,464,729
M. L. SEVERY METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PRODUCTION OF SONOROUS VIBRATIONS Filed Oct. 6, 1917 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. (3
J B C 65 .63 4 6 43 66 a E l 44 B 4.9 4 6X w L 0 47 20 a} :96 .2 venior- Mlvin L. 561/67'9/ 7 mmawxwwt fi is lilo/r770 ya Patented Aug. 14, 1923.
UNITED 'STATES IELVIN L. SEVERY, 01' LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
HETHOD OI AND MEANS FOR PRODUCTION OF SONOROUS VIBRATIONS.
Application filed October 8, 1917. Serial No. 195,077.
T 0 all whom it may comm:
Be it known that I, MELVIN L. Snvnnr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Means for Production of Sonorous Vibrations, of which the following is a specification.
This invention pertains to a method of and means for producing sonorous vibrations, and is more particularly intended for the production of musical tones of any desired loudness, itch, volume and quality.
Briefly state the method consists in con-.
trolla'bly varying the air-gap between the pole or poles, core or cores, of a magnet (said pole or poles, core or cores being connected to or associated with and adapted to vibrate a body, as for example, a str ng, reed, sound-board, diaphragm, or the like, which is capable of sonorous vibration), and an armature of magnetic material extending into the magnetic field or field of force of such magnet. By so varying the air-gap with proper frequency, the force of attraction between the magnet and the co-actlng armature, which latter is rotatably and adjustably fixed in space, is so varied as to cause the magnetized metal of the magnet and the vibrating body with which it is con nected, alternately to approach and to recede from the associated armature, and thus to set up in the sonorous body vibrations of predetermined character, frequency and amplitude. The frequency, amplitude and character of the vibrations may be varied and controlled by varying the form, character, material, mass or speed of movement of the armature, or of that portion of the armature which extends into the effective por tion of the magnetic field; by varying the nearness of said armature to the core or cores of said magnet; by varying the voltage of the energizin current or otherwise varying the strength of magnetization of said core or cores; by varying the character of the sonorous body; and in other ways.
The invention may best be embodied in a structure comprising any usual form of body capable of sonorous vibration and provided with a magnet, and with a rotor or arma-- ture composed of a disk or disks of magnetic material mounted upon a shaft and suitably rotated, the periphery of the disk or the peripheries of the several disks, being of such form as will, when rotated,-op ose to the magnet pole or poles successive y rtions extending alternately further and ess far into the efiective portion of the magnetic field, and into closer and less close proximity to the magnet pole or poles.
To vary the quality or timbre of the tone produced, one or more disks or elements of a rotor may have a peripheral form or outllne suitable to produce vibrations which will generate the fundamental, while another disk or disks may be so varied in form or outline as to influence the vibrations in a manner to produce or accentuate any desired overtones or partials of such tone, or even to produce inharmonic vibrations where desired. In this way wide variety of tone values is made possible.
In prior patents (granted to me, or to myself jointly with eorge B. Sinclair, two methods of roducing' sonorous vibrations have been disclosed, the first consisting in fixing in proximity to a dia hragm, string, or other similar body, provided if need be with an armature of magnetic metal, an electromagnet, and alternately closing and opening the circuit of such electromagnet with a frequency corresponding to the frequency of vibration of said body in producing a tone of predetermined pitch; see for example, Patent No. 1,098,983, dated June Under the second method, an electric current was supplied to the electromagnet whose varying attractive force effected vibration of the sonorous body, and the current so supplied was rendered pulsatory by rotatin in proximity to a metallic member include in the magnet circuit, a metallic rotor whose periphery presented alternate elevated and depressed portions, or alternate wide and narrow portions and consequently varying mass; see for example, Patent No. 1,190,332, dated July 11, 1916.
The present invention simplifies the construction and improves the operation of the mechanism by causing the magnetic rotor to act within the field of force of a magnet or magnet core directly carried by or connected with the sonorous body, which magnet may be either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, Under the present plan, the magnetic rotor is so formed or fashioned as to vary the attraction between the mag net and the rotor with a frequency corresponding to the frequency of vibration of the sonorous body in producing a note or tone of predetermined pitch, and further, when a somewhat complex tone is desired so to effect the vibrations as to add to the fundamental of the tone produced, one or more partials, and to give to each partialso added such strength as will, together wlth the fundamental, produce a composite tone of desired quality or timbre. Under the present plan the only mechanism requiring to be rotated or moved to produce the sonorous vibrations, is one or more shafts each provided with one or more rotors or armatures (simple or compound as desired),
. each vibrating an associated sonorous body,
it being understood that while the invention may be applied to a single sonorous body and to produce a single note or tone, there will ordinarily be provided such number of magnets vibrating thin associated body or bodles, for instance, a sound-board, reeds, strings, diaphragms, pipes, or the like, as are necessary or appropriate to a complete musical instrument of the type or class desired. There may be one sonorous body or vibratory element common to all the magnets, as in the case of a sound-board; or several vibratory elements each'common to a particular group of magnets, as several sound-boards or a subdivided sound-board; or an individual sonorous body or vibratory element for each magnet, as a string, diaphragm, reed, or the like.
In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated more or less diagrammatically the manner of embodying or applying my present invention. In these drawings:
Figure 1 shows a horn suitable for use as a warning signal on automobiles and other vehicles;
Figure 2 is a somewhat similar view, showing also means for automatically changing the character of the tone produced;
Figure 3 is a face elevation of a rotor 01' armature composed of a plurality of disks or laminae, the respective peripheries of which bear outlines of differing wave-form,
number, or both;
Figure 4 illustrates an apparatus of the character shown in Fig. 1, but with a some what different form of rotor and with means to prevent lateral movement or displacement of the magnet or magnet core;
Figure 5 is a face view of a. rotor disk (partially broken away), the peripheral outline of which is substantially that suitable to the production of vibrations giving a sim le tone;
igure 6 is a face view of a rotor, the periphery of which has large primary elevations and depressions with smaller elevations and depressions between their high and low points, such form when used in connection with the sonorous body, educin a tone somewhat similar to that produce by a violin strin Figure 7 is a iagrammatic illustration of a section of a musical instrument employing resonators and vibrating diaphragms equipped with means for varying the loudness or intensity and tone quality of the notes educed;
Figure 8 illustrates the invention applied to a sound-board of the piano type, here shown as equipped also with strings which may, however, be omitted;
Figure 9 illustrates the invention as applied to horns equipped with vibrating diaphragms, means being shown for changing the timbre or tone quality of the notes educed;
Figure 10 illustrates a resonator with vibrating diaphragm and an armature or rotor, the peripheral portion of which is concentric with the axis of rotation but is of wave form on its side faces, thereby giving variable mass in such peripheral portions;
Figure 11 shows a diaphragm equipped with a magnet of the horse-shoe type, each pole of which is opposed to a separate rotor or armature.
Referring first to Fig. 1, 16 indicates a diaphragm clamped or held in a casing comprising a centrally perforated disk member 17 and a clamping ring 15, between which a parts the diaphragm is clamped at its outer edge. Extending from the central opening of the body or disk 17 is a horn 18, for gathering and directing the sound-waves produced by vibration of the diaphragm 16. Centrally located upon and secured to said diaphragm 16 is a magnet core 19, freely movable axially within a fixed winding or coil 20 of insulated wire, which latter is in cluded in the circuit of a battery or source of electric energy, 21. Said circuit also includes a circuit-closing switch or key 22, and a rheostat 23 for regulating the delivery of current to the coil 20 of the electromagnet.
24 represents a disk the periphery or inductively active portion of which is of wave form, the disk being flat and the sinuosity being produced by varying the distance between the axis of rotation and the periphery throughout the circumference thereof. This disk constitutes a rotor or armature, and is carried by a rotatable shaft 25. Shaft 25 will be turned at such speed as will carry the alternate elevations and depressions of the disk through the magnetic field of and past magnet core 19 with a frequency corresponding to the rate of vibration necessary to the production of the predetermined note. As current flows constantly through the coil 20 so long as the circuit is closed at the key 22, diaphragm 16 will be caused to vibrate with a frequency corresponding to the number of rotations of the rotor or armature 24 multiplied by the number of elevations on the periphery of said rotor. Such vibration of course is due to the fact that when the air-gap is shortened, the force of attraction between the magnet core 19 and the disk or rotor 24 increases, and as the gap lengthens such force decreases. As attraction between a magnet and its armature is reciprocal, the magnet core 19 will move toward and from the rotor or arma ture as the latter rotates, thereby throwing the diaphragm into vibration.
By varying the resistance in the circuit of battery 21 and magnet 19-20, or as will be self-evident, altering the electro-motive force of said battery 21, the strength of the magnet and ma netic field may be varied as desired. This in turn will vary the amplitude of the vibrations of diaphragm '16 and the consequent loudness or intensity of sound.
When the device is used merely as an alarm or signal, the circuit-closer 22 may be of any usual form, as a small swinging lever, push button, or the like, while in the case of a musical instrument it may be a contact carried by a key of the keyboard.
Figure 2 shows the same mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, except that the rheostat 23 is omitted, and there is shown means for automatically varying the timbre or tone quality of the note educed during the time that the magnet circuit is closed. The electromagnet, diaphragm, diaphragm casing or holder, and horn, are as in Fig. 1. An electric motor 29 is indicated, the shaft 28 of which takes the place of shaft 25 of Fig. 1, and carries a rotor 26 which in the present instance is represented as a composite rotor or armature built up of a series of disks or timbre-forms, as similar disks have been designated in certain of my prior patents. The motor 29 receives current from'a battery or source 37 when the circuit is completed by the closing of a switch 38. The magnet winding or coil 20 is in a branch or shunt from the circuit of source 37.
Rotor 26 is carried by a sleeve 37 axially movable upon shaft 28, but splined or otherwise so connected with said shaft as to compel joint rotation. Sleeve 27 is provided with a circumferential groove 30, which receives a pin or stud carried by a lever 31 which is connected by means of a link 32, elbow-lever 33 and link 34 with a crank-pin of a Worm-wheel or disk 35, the periphery of which is furnished with worm teeth to engage a worm 36 formed upon or carried by shaft 28. This connection between the worm or disk 35 and the slidable sleeve 27, for which any equivalent intermediate connection may be substituted, causes a reciprocating movement of the sleeve 27 and the rotor 26 so long as shaft 28 continues to turn and to rotate the worm-wheel 35. Such movement of the shaft and rotor causes the disks constituting the rotor 26 to move crosswise of the magnet core 19, so that the disks are successively moved more or less into and out of the magnetic field, or into and out of close proximity to said magnet.
The separate disks making u the rotor 26 are of different form accor ing to the tone quality desired; in other words, one or more of the disks have the form suitable .to the production of the fundamental of the tone desired, while others are fashioned to produce selected partials or where desired inharmonic vibrations. s the rotor moves across the magnet core or pole, the vibrations of the diaphragm 16 will be varied as the different disks enter or recede from the position of strongest mutual attraction between the disk and the magnet core, and a tone of constantly changing quality will result. By varying the forms of the respective disks, by setting them with their projections and dBPI'BSSlOIlS in varying angular relation to the shaft, or by combining the two variations, a wide range of tone uality may be secured, and this whether it desired to produce truly harmonic effects or to introduce, for any reason, more or less weak inharmonic partials or dissonances.
If it be desired to emphasize the fundamental or any selected partial or partials, the disk having the form necessary to educe such. fundamental or such selected partial or partials may be duplicated or repeated. Ordinarily, in the form illustrated in Fig. 2, the disk or disks producing the fundamental will be located at the midlength of the series so as to keep such disk or disks constantly in the stronger part of the field, those for the harmonics being distributed, accordin to the result desired, on either side thereo .v
As illustrated in Fig. 3 the proper positioning of the several disks is simply and effectively insured by providing the sleeve 27 with a spline and forming a spline seat in each disk, set in such angular-relation to the elevations and depressions of the periphery as shall bring the elevations and depressions of the respective disks into proper relation and maintain them there. This figure also illustrates a rotor composed of three disks the peripheries of which differ in number and dimensions of the wave-forms which they respectively bear, and it also illustrates the above-described manner of effe'cting and maintaining the relative angular adjustment of the several disks, but it is obvious that any common and equivalent means of holding the disks in fixed relation to one another may be employed, such as rivets or bolts passing through the series.
Figure 4; shows another form of rotor or armature disk, and also indicates posts or stems 41, 42 carried by the clamping ring of the diaphragm shell or casing, and prqecting therefrom in the same general direction as does the magnet core 19'. 39 and 40 indicate wires, tapes, cords, or the like, connecting the magnet core 19' with the posts or stems 41, 42, and serving to hold the magnet core against lateral displacement.
Figures 5 and 6 show forms of dlSk or rotor suitable respectively for the production of vibrations resulting in a simple tone and in a tone approaching or having some of the characteristics of that produced by a violin string.
It may be stated here that the specific shapes or forms of the respective rotors do not, per se, constitute a feature of the present application. I have heretofore devised and patented mechanical means for developing and producing these forms.
Figure 7 shows a series of resonator pipes, each with its separate loudness-control rheostat and key, and also a loudness-control common to all the pipes, so that any pipe may be sounded with any loudness at any time and in any combination. This may be used for a signal system or for one of the synthetic tone-groups of a musical instrument.
In said Figure 7, A, B and C indicate respectively resonators, each comprising a pipe 43 having at its lower end a diaphragm 44 provided with a magnet core 45 encircled by and freely movable within a coil or bobbin 46 of insulated wire, each coil in the embodiment here illustrated connected in parallel with the circuit of a battery 53, or other source of electric energy. The circuit or branch of each magnet coil is provided with a loudness-control rheostat 51, and a switch, circuit-closer or key 52. The main battery circuit is provided with a general loudness-control individual to the more or less composite tone elicited, in the form of a rheostat 54,- and may have an additional switch or circuit-closer for permanently cutting out or bringing in the battery corresponding to what in a complete musical instrument would be a key of the key-board. 47, 48 and 49 indicate rotors, which may be simple or compound, respectively extending into the fields of force of the magnets of the several resonator diaphragms, said rotors bein here shown as simple, the most common iorm where tones are to be synthetically built up. These rotors are carried by a shaft 50 rotated by a motor 55.
A synchronizer 56 is employed to maintain a constant speed of rotation for the shaft 50, or what is more important, a constant relative speed of the several rotor shafts where more than one such shaft is used. The synchronizer may be of any known type capable of maintaining the requisite uniformity of speed, such, for instance, as shown in my Patent No. 1,163,473, or No. 1,186,851.
The rheostats 51, of which as stated there is one for each resonator and diaphragm, serve to control the supply of current to the respective magnets 45, and thus to control and determine the relative loudness or intensity of sound of theindividual diaphragms and resonators, while the rheostat 54 serves to control the loudness or intensity of sound educed by the several diaphragms and resonators as a oup. Obviously, the effect produced by ti e use ofrheostat 54 may be secured by bodily adjustment of the shaft 50 of Fig. 7 and its rotors toward or from the magnet cores, or by like adjustment of the magnet cores toward or from said shaft and rotors, or by varying the voltage of the energizin source 53, after the manner clearly set forth in U. S. Patent No. 1,171,668 granted to me jointly with George B. Sinclair, and dated February 15, 1916.
I have shown the magnets arranged with in the lower end of the resonator pipes A, B and C, in which position I prefer to place them, but this is not obligatory. The magnets may be placed below the diaphragms or outside the pipes, but by arranging them on the side of the diaphragm opposite that which faces the rotor, the use of stays to prevent lateral displacement of the magnets through dra of the rotor is rendered unnecessary, wliile the action in roducing vibration remains the same. istortionor unsymmetrical fiexure of the diaphragm is thus prevented, and a pure tone insured.
In Figure 8, 57 indicates the sounding board of a piano or like instrument, and 60 indicates the head of a hammer of the iano action, the remainder of such action ing omitted as unnecessary to the present description. The instrument, as shown in said figure, is provided with strings 59, onl one of which is seen in said figure, each string having a magnetic damper control in general principle such as set forth in cer- ,tain of my prior patents. This comprises for each string, an electromagnet 62 placed in proximity to a soft iron armature 66 of a damper lever 63 provided with the usual felt damper 65, which is normally pressed against the strings by a distended spring 64. The electromagnet 62 is included in the circuit of a batter or other source 21, which when a circuit-closer 22 completes the battery circuit, as it does on the depression of the corresponding key, energizes said magnet 62 and withdraws the amper 65 from the string. Also included in said circuit or a derivative thereof, is the fixed coil or winding 20 of an electromagnet, the movable core 19 of which is secured to the bridge 58 of the sounding board 57. In front of and extending into the magnetic fields of the magnet cores 19 are rotors 24, here shown as rotated by a belt, passing about a drive-wheel '61 and a pulley on the shaft which carries said rotors, or in any usual way. It is to be understood that the strings are not essential and may be wholly omitted, the soundboard being suflicient in itself to generate the necessary sound-waves when thrown into vibration. I have shown in Fig. 8 only such parts as are necessary to make clear the nature of my invention, the details thereof being reserved as proper subjectmatter for future applications. As stated, the string 59, damper, etc., may be omitted.
In Figure 9 I have illustrated a group of three vibratory diaphragms or bodies 16, each provided with a magnet core 19 movable freely in an axial direction through a fixed coil or winding 20", and associated with each magnet, a group of three rotor units, each unit designed to produce characteristically different vibrations of the diaphragm or body with which it is at any time associated. As illustrated in Fig. 9, each rotor group comprises three units 74, 75 and 76, suitably spaced apart and made fast to a shaft- 67. Each rotor 74, 75 and 7 6 may be, and in Fig. 9 is represented as, composed of a plurality of disks designed respectively to produce, when rotated in proximity to its associated magnet core, the fundamental tone desired with any selected partial or partials. Each of said rotors 74, 75 and 76 carries disks designed to call forth, when rotated in proximity to its associated magnet core, either the fundamental with selected partials differing from those of the companion rotors of the unit, or the same partials, but inwarying loudness determined by the mass given to the respective disks of the individual rotors. The shaft- 67 is splined through a portion of its length so that it may slide axially through a drive Wheel 68, but may not rotate independently of the wheel. The wheel 68 is held against axial movement but is free to rotate, turning with it the splined shaft 67, said wheel receiving motion through a belt 69 or equivalent means. At one extremity the shaft 67 is provided with a grooved collar 70, which through longitudinal movement of said shaft may be brought into alinement with any one of several stops or locking-pins 71. 72 or 73, which are so positioned and spaced as to hold in plane with the respective magnets 16 the right-hand, medial, or left-hand rotor unit of' their respective groups. The opposite extremity of shaft 67 is provided with a swivel head or other means of connection with a lever or device for effecting the axial movement of said shaft, to bring into active relation to a given magnet the particular rotor unit desired.
By this means instruments having one .or
another given type of vibrating body may be caused to produce sounds or tones simulating more or less closely different or varied instruments, or sounds characteristic of a single instrument but varying in tone quality. In other words, an instrument can be built under the present invention capable of simulating other known instruments, or of simulating the combined effects of several other and different instruments, or of simulating even human voices.
Obviously, the illustrated means of adjusting and holding the shaft 67 are simply suggestive, and may be replaced by any of various constructions common in the art for effecting like adjustments.
In Figure 10 there is shown a resonator pipe 77 having a vibratory diaphra m 78 with a permanent magnet 79 centrally attached thereto, said magnet extending toward a rotor 80, the periphery of which is cylindrical but of varying width. In other words, the peripheral portion of the rotor has fluted or scalloped side faces. As a consequence of'this construction, such peripheral portion extending into the field of magnet 79 and being there rotated, will present rapidly varying magnetic mass opposite the pole of said magnet, thus alternately strengthening and weakening the magnetic field, and causing corresponding increasing and diminishing attraction between the magnet and armature. As the armature is rotatably and acljustably fixed in. space while the magnet, owing to the flexibility of its supporting diaphragm, is axially movable, said magnet will approach and recede from the rotor as the portions of said rotor of greater and of lesser mass pass through the magnetic field and in proximity to the magnet pole.
In Figure 11 I have shown a horse-shoe electromagnet core 82 carried by the diaphragm or Vibrating body 81, and having separate coils 83 and 84 fixed in space and through which the poles of the magnet freely move in an axial direction. Opposed to the respective poles are rotors 85 and 86, which usually, though not invariably, will be of identical clntracter, said rotors being carried by a shaft 87 rotatable in fixed bearings, as shown in various of the other figures. This form gives opportunity for more powerful attraction of the magnet and diaphragm than does the single core magnet.
It is of course understood in every instance that the rotors or the peripheral portions thereof which traverse the magnetic field, will be of iron or other magnetic or magnetically inductive material.
In Figs. 7 and 9 the numerals are applied to only one of the diaphragms, coils, etc., the construction of all being identical and hence rendering numeral designation of each unnecessary.
It is particularly to be noted that under the present invention a peculiarly simple structure is produced, in which there is an entire absence of friction, rubbing or wear in the electrical portions of the apparatusthat any quality of tone may be produced byan instrument through simply employing rotors of one or another configuratlon, which confi urations may readily be standardized amf cheapl reproduced; and that the only parts of t e mechanism requiring to be power driven are the rotorshafts with their rotors, and these require very small ex enditure of power.
he musical effect in the matter of loudness or softness, varying tone quality, adation, and the like, are almost limit ess. The entire apparatus is simple, relatively inexpensive, easy of installation, change and repair, and not liable to derangement by ordina meteorological conditions.
On t e strictly musical side the advantages are very r ,rked. Thus the sonorous wave can be made exactly what is desired, and great purity of tone is secured. The method and the instrument are especially adapted to synthetic tone production and make possible the production or generation of any fundamental tone with any desired partials or overtones; in other words, the tone quality of each note can be controlled and varied as desired, and musical instruments can be furnished having those peculiar qualities which the difiering tastes 0 highly trained musicians demand. This may be done regardless of certain defects inherent in various reproducing systems. By way of illustration it ma be noted that diaphragms, which possess tlie quality of reproducing a wide range of musical tones, commonly or frequently respond unduly to or reproduce with undue emphasis, certain tones to which they are peculiarly sensitive. Such over-accentuated tones mar the general result, or in some instance even produce a tone other than that intended. By the present system such defect may readily be com nsated for or neutralized through the amp oyment of rotors having their periphcries specially designed to that end, by the use of a lurality of rotors of given configuration, by the inclusion or elimination of selected partials, by combining two or more of these modes of varying the tone quality, and in other ways. As before indicated, the designing and development of the requisite curves is a matter which can be certainly and accurately accomplished by simple means heretofore devised and patented.
Obviously, this mode of production or generation of sound-waves is applicable in practically all cases where a single note or any range of notes is required, as for instance, in connection with automobile horns,
fire alarms, sirens, fog horns, musical instruments of simple tones compounded synthetically, musical instruments of composite tones made directly, scientific instruments t illustrate tone changes, musical toys, and organs. The sound produced may if preferred be made unmusical and raucous, as where it is desired suddenly and certainly to arrest attention. Phonograms or rotors capable of causing words or articulate speech to be shouted, are readily possible t rough the use of the system and appara tus here set forth.
This invention is not confined to the use of rotating or revolving bodies to create vibration of the sonorous body. y means of moving the requisite sinusoidal form past the magnet or vise versa, may be employed,
as for instance, an endless belt, a disk or wheel having the wave surface formed upon or applied to its side face, and the like.
It is obvious that like effects may be produced by varying the air-gap between the magnet and t e rotor, or varying the mass of magnetic material passing through the magnetic field in proximity to the magnet pole or poles. Both plans are illustrated in the drawings, the latter in Fig. 10. The two plans may be combined in one rotor if desired.
In Figs. 2 and 9 I show a means for altering the intensity of the tones produced by armatures revolving adjacent energized magnet-cores, such movement in the case of Fig. 9 being in some instances suflicient practically to uench the action of one armature, and su sequently, if continued far enough, to initiate the action of another or mature. This variation is accomplished by increasing or decreasing the air-gap between the magnet-cores and their associated armatures. In the case of Fig. 9 the gap may,-and stop mechanism is provided so that it shall,-at times be so increased as progressively to silence, or entirely out out of the effective magnetic circuit, certain of the armatures. In Fig. 2, however, the intensities of the tones produced by the armature elements are automatically altered by the automatic increase or decrease of the distance from their associated magnet-core or cores. Obviously, this variation of air-gap produces the same result as the rheostat 54 (when uch rheostat is of infinite gradation, being an improvement thereon when it is in the more usual stepped form), and will often be the cheapest and most convenient way of securing the result. It is of course self-evident that any means of varying the extent of this air-gap will produce the result secured by the rheostat 54, and is clearly within the scope of m invention. For example, I may secure t e expressional effect of rheostat 54 by altering the distance between the magnet-core or cores and the associated armature or armatures by, movements sensibly parallel to the direction of said cores, as shown in my Patent No. 1,218,324, dated March 6, 1917, or,1n my Patent No. 1,190,332, dated July 11, 1916, or in the patent granted to George B. Sinclair and myself, numbered 1,137,544 and dated April 27, 1915.
I desire it understood that any loudness variation produced by any variation of the air-gap is clearly within the scope of and covered by my invention.
Some of the rotors here shown are similar in construction to the laminated rotors set forth in Patent No. 1,137,544, granted to myself and George B. Sinclair, and dated April 27, 1915, in that the may be made up of separate laminae. In igs. 2, 3, 9 and 11 of the drawings accompanying this application, as in the patent just referred to, the rotors are made up of such laminae, each bearing upon its periphery wave-forms, and the wave-forms of the several laminae being placed in the same or in diflerent angular relation to the axis of rotation. The rotors now under consideration, however, differ from those of said Patent No. 1,137,544 in that the wave-forms of different laminae are unlike, certain thereof being approprlate to the production of magnetic pulsations to educe the fundamental of the desired tone,
and others to educe selected partials thereof. In other words, through the employment of such composite or lamina-ted rotor unit or element, the magnetic flux and the mutual attraction of the magnet core and armature are so varied as to produce the predetermined tone or note with such quality or character as may be desired. This composite or laminated construction is, however, not always necessary or desirable (see, for instance, Fig.7).
While I have shown the magnet or magnet core as directly secured to and carried by the vibrating body and prefer such arrangement, it is obvious that it may be separately mounted and guided, and connected with the vibrating body through intermediate means.
It is particularly to be noted that under the present invention the electromagnets are either energized by a direct current of normally constant voltage, which, however. may be varied by the introduction or withdrawal of resistance into and fromthe mag net circuit or circuits, or by a current the volta e of which may be changed at will, in or er to decrease or increase the loudness or intensity of sound; and further, that \ibration of the sonorous body is effected by directly varying, with the requisite frequency, the magnetic ga between each magnet core connected wit a sonorous body, and the rotor associated with such, magnet core, or by varying the mass of magnetically inductive material of the armature moving through the field of each magnet, or--finally, by combining the two effects. This mode of producing or generating sonorous vibrations and determining the loudness or intensity of sound and quality of tone educed, avoids entirel the use of pulsatory currents, and I believe to be broadly new.
It is to be noted that the rotor disks or laminae are, in their more usual form, provided with angularly spaced peripheral portions which may be and ordinarily will be, of like form and mass though not always so, and that these peripheral sections may be further divided into successive elevations and depressions, or successive portions of greater and less mass, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6. In other words, the Wave-forms, as these separate peripheral sections are commonly termed, are repeated orrecurrent and will be so referred to in certain of the claims.
It is to be understood that that ortion of the armature which is formed with recurrent sections of varying outline or mass, or both, extends in such proximity to the magnet cores as to be in the stronger portion of the magnetic field, or in other words, in the effective field of the magnet, and the term effective field is used in some of the claims with this significance. This recurrent or repetitious variation is applicable both to rotors or armatures having disks of the sim ple form illustrated in F lgs. 1, 3, 8 and 10, and to rotors such as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6 having recurrent or repetitious groups of variations, or in other words, in which minor variations are formed in the peripheral sections of the disks constituting the major variations.
It is likewise to be understood that in the preferred form of my invention, the sonorous body vibrated by means of electromagnets is of the sound-board type and is acted upon by a plurality of magnets, the sound-board or sound-boards being either one integral body or in separate parts or sections as preferred. In any event, in this preferred form, the sections or areas of the sound-board .or vibratory body will be acted upon. each by a plurality of magnets. The specific construction of the sound-hoard is not herein set forth or claimed, as that may vary and will be set forth in one or more separate applications, though any usual type may be employed.
In this invention moving armatures are made to cause motion in magnets or the cores thereof, associated with or attached to sonorous bodies, and while, for convenience,
I usually prefer to attach or associate only the cores of the magnets With the sonorous bodies, it is obvious that I may also, upon occasion, associate with, or attach the entire magnets to, said sonorous bodies. When,
the cores of magnets as attached nected, or associated with sonorous bo therefore, in the claims reference is made to to condies, I desire it to be understood that, except where permanent magnets are used, the other parts of the magnets may or may not be so c1rcumstanced.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that the peripheral portion of each rotor or armature, or that rtion which traverses the effective magnetic field of any magnet-core of the instrument, is specially formed according to the effect sought to be produced in the vlbration .of the sonorous body with which the magnetcore is associated. To this end it is desirable that each distinct section of the armature, while the same as other sections of the same armature, vary in mass and in form from its leading to its trailing extremity, this variation being effected by increasing a or decreasing the transverse or cross-sectional area of the section radially, axially, or on any other line that will cause differentv armature masses to be presented to the magnet-core as any given section of the armature passes through the effective field of the magnet-core. Thisis the meaning of the expression formed lprojections occurrin in one or more of t e claims.
fiaving thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The method of producing musical tones which consists in connecting with a body capable of sonorous vibration, a magnetcore provided with means for energizing the same; and moving through the effective field of said core an armature of magnetically inductive material provided with regularly recurring sections, each section being of unequal mass at different points in the direction of movement of the armature, successive sections being caused to pass through the magnet field with a frequency corresponding to the frequency of vibration necessary to produce the predetermined tone.
2. The method of producing tones \in musical relation, which consists in moving armatures of magnetically inductive material and ofv relatively different outline, through the effective fields of magnet-cores each connected with and serving to impart vibrations of a different frequency to a sonorous body, each armature having its peripheral portion divided into recurrent or repetitious sections, each section of a given armature bein of unequal mass at different points in t e direction of its movement, and successive sections of each armature being caused to traverse the effective field of its associated magnet-core with a frequency corresponding to the frequency of vibration necessary to produce the predetermined tone.
3. The method of roducing musical tones of desired quality, w ich consists in moving throu h the effective field of a magnet-core provided with means for its energization, and connected with a body capable of sonorous vibration, an armature of magnetically inductive material, different parallel zones of said armature having their periphcries provided with recurrent sections, each section of a 'ven zone similarly differing in mass at difierent points in the direction of moyement of the armature, and the several zones of the armature being fashioned respectively to educe, when moved in'unison and at proper speed, vibrations of the sonorous body of fre uencies to produce a complex tone with se ected partials.
4. The method of producing musical tones of desired quality, which consists in moving through the effective field of a magnet-core provided with means for its energization and connected with a body capable of sonorous vibration, a laminated armature of magnetically inductive material, each lamina having successive portions of like form and dimensions but varyin in mass in the direction of movement of t e armature, the successive portions of each lamina differing from those of some of the other laminae in form and mass, said armature being moved at a speed suitable to produce sonorous vibrations of frequencies to educe the desired fundamental of the predetermined tone and to'educe or emphasize selected partials of said tone.
5. The method of producing musical tones which consists in moving through the field of a magnet-core having means for its energization and connected with a body capab e of sonorous vibration, an armature of magnetically inductive material having successive portions of like form and mass, each such portion of unequal mass at different points in the direction of travel of the armature, said armature being moved at a sensibly constant predetermined speed, whereby its portions of progressively increasing and decreasing mass. in passing through the effective magnetic field vary the inductive action and the attractive force of the magnet-core and effect vibration of the sonorous body, the successive portions of the armature being moved through the effective magnetic field with a frequency to educe the fundamental of the tone desired.
6. The method of producing musical tones of any desired pitch and quality, which consists in providing means capable of sonorous vibration with electromagnets for vibrating the same in accord with fluctuations of the several magnetic circuits; and movin through the effective field of any selected magnet or magnets a magnetically inductive armature, each armature having a plurality of sections differing in mass atlfdifferent points in the direction of its travel and dining in number in the several armatures,
I one of said armatures being fashioned to producein its ma etic circuit when moved at a proper s pulsations of the periodicity of the fundamental of the desired tone, and another or others thereof being fashioned to produce, each in its magnetic circuit, pulsations of a periodicity corresponding to some other partial of the predetermined tone.
7. An apparatus for the production of sonorous vibrations, comprising, a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet for vibrating the same; a continuous armature of magneticall inductive material movable through the e ective portion ofthe magnet field, 'and having that ortion which enters said field varying wit recurrent sections similarly varying in mass and outline inthe direction of movement; and means for imparting to said armature a sensibly constant speed of movement through said part of the magnetic field.
8. An apparatus for the production of musical tones, comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet for vibrating the same; an armature of magnetically inductive material, a part of said armature movable about'an axis and through a portion of the field of said magnet, the portion of said armature movin through said field being made up of equa y spaced recurrent sections each var ing in mass and outline in the direction 0 rotation of the armature; and means for imparting to said armature apredetermined and sensibly constant speed of movement such as will carry said recurrent sections past the magnet with a frequency equal to the frequency of vibration necessary to educe a tone of the predetermined pitch.
9. An apparatus for the production of musical tones of predetermined pitch and quality, comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; amagnet for vi rating the same;a laminated armature of magnetically inductive material rotatable about its axis and having its peripheral portion movable through the effective field of said magnet, the peripheral portion of each lamina being made up of equally spaced sections, each of varying mass and outline in the direction of travel at least one of the laminae being fashioned to produce vibrations giving the fundamental of the desired tone, and another or others thereof being fashioned to supplement or capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core associated therewith; an-energizing coil encircling said core; a source of electric energy in circuit with said coil; an armature of magnetically inductive material extending into the field of said magnet, and having the portionsadapted to pass by said core composed of recurrent sections, each section var ing in mass and outline in the direction encircling said core; a source of electric enorgy in circuit with said coil an armature of magneticall inductive material extend= ing into the fie d of said ma et and having the portion within said fiel composed of a series of like sections, each section varying in mass and outline in the direction of its travel; and means for moving said armature in a fixed path through the field of said magnet at predetermined and constant speed, the magnet core being free to move within an independent of its energizing coil.
12. In an apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations, the combination of a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core connected with said body and projectin mainly from the front face thereof; a fixe coil encircling said core but detached therefrom; a rotatin armature of magnetically inductive material placed on the same side of the vibrating body as the main body of the magnet core, said armature extending into the field of said magnet and having the portion adapted to move through the field of said magnet composed of a series of sections, each section varying in mass and outline in the direction of its travel; and means for movin the armature through said field at a sensi ly constant speed such as will resent sucessive sections thereof opposite tlie magnet core with a frequency corresponding to the normal frequency of vibration of the sonorous body in educing the fundamental of a tone of predetermined pitch. I
13, In an apparatus for prodficing sonorous vibrations, the combination of a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core for vibrating the same; an energizi coil encircling said core; a source of electric enorgy in circuit with said coil; an armature of magneticall into the fie d of said magnet and having a portion within said field, of var ing mass and outline in the direction of its travel; means for moving said armature through the field of said magnet at a predetermined cod; and means for varying the attractive flirce between the magnet core and its associated armature.
14. In an apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations, the combination of a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core for vibrating the same; an energizing coil encircling said core; a source 01 electric energy in circuit with said coil; an armature of magnetically inductive material extending into the field of said magnet, and having a portion within said field of var mg mass and outline in the direction 0 its travel; means for moving said armature through the field of said magnet at a predetermined speed; and means for adjustlng the distance between the magnet core and the axis of the armature. 15. In an apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations, the combination of a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core for vibrating the same; an ener 12mg coil encircling said core; a source of e ectric energy in circuit with said coil; means in circuit with said source of energy for varying the voltage of current delivered to said coil; an armature of magneticall inductive material extending into the fiel of said magnet and having a portion adapted to move through said field, said portion composed of a series of sections each section varying in mass and outline in the direction of its travel; and means for moving said armature through the field of said magnet at a predetermined speed.
16. An apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations, comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet for vibrating said body; an armature of magnetically inductive material projecting into and movable through the field of said magnet, said armature having its inductively active portion formed with a series of sections,'each section varying in mass and outline in the direction of movement of the armature, whereby such movement will cause variation of the air-gap between the magnet and armature; and means for moving said armature at a speed to carry the armature sections through the magnetic field with a frequency corresponding to the frequency of vibration of the sonorous body when educing a predetermined tone.
17. An apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations, comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet core connected therewith; a motor; a magnetically inductive rotor splined and axially movable upon the shaft of said motor; a worm carried by the motor-shaft; a worm-wheel meshing with said worm; and connections between said wheel and the splined sleeve, whereby the rotor is automatically moved axially along the shaft, said rotor being composed of a plurality of disk each having a sinuous periphery projecting into the field of the ma et, the outlines of the several disks di ering from one another.
18. An apparatus for producing sonorous vibrations, comprising a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet-core connected with said sonorous body; a magnetically inductive armature or rotor having a peripher of sinusoidal form extending into the ef'ectivc field of said magnet-core; an energizing coil for said core; a source of electric energy in circuit with said coil; means for rotating the armature; and means for moving the armature axially to carr it more or less into and out of the effective magnetic field.
19. A musical instrument comprising a series of magnet-cores each provided with an energizing coil and each associated with a sonorous body to which it communicates vibrations; a source of electric energy for said coils; a switch or key for opening or closing each coil circuit independently; a series ofmagnetically inductive rotors, one such rotor associated with each of said magnet-cores and projecting into the effective field thereof; means operable at will for increasing or diminishing the force of attractionbetween the magnet-cores and their associated rotors; means for rotating said rotors, each rotor having its periphery formed with like recurrentsections e ually spaced angularly about the axis of t e rotor and each varying in mass at different points in the direction of travel; and speed-controlling means serving to maintain a uniform rotation of the rotors at a rate of speed which will cause successive peripheral sections of each rotor to traverse the magnetic field with a frequency corresponding to the characteristic frequency of vibration of its amociated sonorous body" in producing some predetermined partial of the. desired tone.
20. A musical instrument comprising a series, of bodies each capable of sonorous vibration and each provided with a magnet core; separate energizing coils for the respective magnet cores; :1 source of electric energy to which the energizing coils are joined; a switch or key for opening and closing each respective coil circuit independently; rheostats individually variable, included in the coil circuits; means operable at will for varying the degree of the attractive force between all of said magnets and their coacting armatures simultaneously; a
series of magnetically inductive rotors, one
for each magnet and acting as armature thereto, each projecting into the effective field of its associated magnet; means for rotating said armatures; and speed-controlling means for determining the speed of rotation of said armatures, the several armatures being fashioned and proportioned alioo ternately to increase and diminish the at-' tractive force between each magnet and its associated rotor with a frequency to educe some predetermined partial of the tone desired.
21. In a musical instrument the combination of a series of magnet cores each surrounded by an energizing coil, and each core associated with and adapted by its movement to vibrate a sonorous bod a source of electric energy; means operab e at will and individual to each magnet 01 causin said source of energy to energize any 0 said coils; groups of rotor units; means for rotating said groups at a predetermined speed, certain units of each grouparranged to rotate at a iven time opposite the core of the associated magnet; means, operable at will, for similarly rotatin other units of said groups, the rotors o the several units being formed of magnetizable material and when rotated at suitable speed introducing into the magnetic circuits of their respective magnets, fluctuations corresponding in frequency to the frequency of some selected partial of the sonorous body when educing a tone of the predetermined pitch.
22, Ina musical instrument of the character described, a series of magnets each associated with and capable of vibrating a sonorous body; a rotor for each magnet, projectinginto the field thereof, each rotor composed of a series of laminae, each lamina having a periphery formed with recurrent sections varying in mass and outline in the direction of rotation, one or more of the laminae of each rotor being fashioned to create pulsations suitable to educe the fundamental of the predetermined tone, and others of the laminae bein fashioned to add to or modify such vibrations as to educe or accentuate a selected partial or partials of such tone.
23. In a musical instrument, the combination of a body capable of sonorous vibration; a magnet-core connected with a d serving to communicate vibratory move: ment thereto; an energizing coil for said core, including a source of electric energy;
an armature having a peripheral portion provided with a series of like sections uniformly spaced, each section of different mass at different points in the direction of its movement, said peripheral portion extending into and movable through the effective field of the core; and means for moving said armature sections at a sensibly constant speed, whereby the spacedsections are caused to pass-successively through the effective field with a fre uency corresponding to the frequency 0 vibration of the sonorous body when giving off the predetermined tone for which the armature is designed, the alternate increase and decrease of armature mass within the effective field serving correspondingl to increase and docrease the attractive orce of the magnetcore, and conse uently to effect vibration of the sonorous bo y. p
24. In a musical instrument of the character described, a body capable of sonorous vibration; a horse-shoe magnet core associated with said body and serving to communicate vibrator movement thereto; energizing coils, one or each magnet leg or pole;
and an armaturerotatable about its axis and having its peripheral portion formed of magnetically inductive material, extending into the effective field of said magnet and facing the poles thereof, said peripheral portion being provided with a series of e ually spaced like sections, each section of ifferent mass at dilferent points in the direction of its travel. I
25. A musical instrument comprising resonant means; a plurality of magnet-cores associated therewith and serving to communicate vibration thereto; means for independently energizing and de-energizing any or all of said cores at will; armatures of magnetically inductive material, respectively associated with the respective magnetcores, and provided with peripheral sections of like form each varying in mass and form at diflt'erent points in the direction of its travel, said sections being movable through the effective fields of the magnetcores with which they are respectively associated; and means for moving successive sections of each armature through its magnetic field with a frequency to produce in the resonant means, vibrations of a periodicity conforming to the characteristic periodicity of the associated resonant means in producing a predetermined tone of the musical scale.
26. A musical instrument comprising resoencircling said core; a source of electric energy 111 circuit with said c011; a laminated I armature of magnetically inductive material extending into the field of said magnet, the periphery of each lamina having like and equally spaced formed projections varying in mass and outline at different points in the direction of its travel, the projections of one lamina differing from those of another; and means for moving the formed projections of said armature through the effective field of its magnet at a predetermined speed suitable to educe from the sonorous body selected artials of the predetermined tone.
28. A musical instrument comprising resonant means; a plurality of magnets associated therewith and capable of communicating thereto vibrations of the relative ratios subsisting in the musical scale selected; means, operable at will, for energizing and de-energizing any of said magnets; rotatable armatures of magnetically inductive material associated with said magnets, eachoperating when rotated, to cause its juxtaposed magnet and associated resonant means to vibrate whenever said magnet is energized; means for imparting to said armatures a suitable and sensibly constant rotative.
speed; and means for varying at will the degree of attraction subsisting between the magnets and their associated armatures.
29. A musical instrument comprising a series of magnets, preferably one for each note of the musical scale selected; resonant means to which said magnets communicate vibrations; means, operable at will, and including a source of electrical energy, for energizing and de-energizing any of the said magnets independently of any of the others; armatures of magnetically inductive material, a part of each armature mounted to move through the field of its associated magnet, and having adjacent inductively active portions of difi'erent mass and conformation; means, including a source electric energy, for rotating said armatures; and means, operable at will, for determining the degree of attractive force exerted at any one time between the magnets then energized and their associated armatures.
30. A musical instrument comprising a series of magnets, preferably one for each note of the musical scale selected; resonant means to which said magnets communicate vibrations; means, operable at will, and including a source of electric energy for energizing and de-energizing any of said magnets independently of any of the others; armatures of magnetically inductive material, a portion of each armature adapted at any one time to rotate opposite the core of its associated magnet; means operable at will, for effecting relative adjustment of the armature and associated core in the direction of the axis of said armature, each armature having its inductively active portion formed in successive sections of 'mass and outline varying at difl'erent points in the direction of rotation; means, including a source of electric energy, for rotating said armatures; and means, or increasin o-r diminishing at will and for any desire period of time the degree of attractive force exerted between the magnets then energized and the portions of theirnssooiated armatures then coacting with them.
31. Means for producing musical tones of desired timbre, comprising a series of magnetic circuits, one for each note of the l'IlllSlcal scale selected; means, operable at will for energizlng and de-ener izin'g any of said circuits independently 0 any of the others; resonant means to which the vibrations caused by the fluctuations of said circuits are communicated; armatures of magnetically inductive material included in and constitutin parts of the magnetic circuits, having them inductively active portions of different mass and outline in the direction of travel; means for rotatin said armatures at suitable speed and there y causing said fluctuations; and means, operable at will, for regulating the strength of said fluctuations and the amplitude of the vibrations of said resonant means- 32. Means for producing musical tones of desired timbre, comprising a series of magnetic circuits, one for each note of the musical scale selected; means, operable at will for energizing and de-energizin any of said circuits independently of any 0% the others; resonant means to which the vibrations caused by the fluctuations of said circuits are communicated; armatures of magnetically inductive material formed to cause, when rotated, circuit fluctuations of predetermined strength and frequency relative to each other and to the simultaneous fluctuations of the other circuits; and means for rotating said armatures at suitable speed past the poles of their associated magnets, to create the said fluctuations in the said circuits and in their associated resonant means.
33. Means for producing musical tones, comprising a series of ma etic circuits, one for each note of the musical scale selected; means, operable at will, for energizing and daenergizing any of said circuits independently of any of the others; sonorous means to which the vibrations caused by the fluctuations of said circuits are communicated; armatures of magnetically inductive material formed to cause, when rotated, circuit fluctuations of predetermined strength and frequency relative to each other and to the simultaneous fluctuations of the other cir-' cuits; means for rotating said armatures at suitable speed past the poles of their associated magnets, to create the said fluctua-' tions in the said circuits and in their associated sonorous means; and means, operable at will, for increasing and decreasing the strength of said fluctuations as a whole while reserving their relative values.
34. cans for producing musicaltones of desired pitch and timbre, comprising a series of magnetic circuits, one for each note of the musical scale selected; means, operable at will,'for ener izi'ng and de-energizing any of said circuits mdependently of any of the others; sonorous means to which the vibrations caused by the fluctuations of said magnetic circuits are communicated; armatures of magnetically inductive material formed to cause, when rotated, magnetic circuit fluctuations of predetermined strength and frequency relative to each other and to the simultaneous fluctuations of the other circuits; means for rotating said armatures at suitable speed past the poles of their associated magnets, to create the said fluctuations in said magnetic circuits and in their associated sonorous means; means, operable at will, for increasing and decreasing the strength of said fluctuations as a whole while preserving their relative values; and means, operable at will, for changing the characteristics of the fluctuations by rendering inductively active portions of said armatures which previously were inductively inactive,
and thereby altering the quality of the tone educed.
35. In a musical instrument, the combination of a sonorous body; a magnet-core connectedwith said body and serving to communicate vibratory movement thereto; means for energizin said core; and a normally unmagnetized rotor included in circuit with the energizing coil of the magnetcore, for producing when rotated, pulsations in said circuit and consequent variations in the attraction between the magnetcore and the rotor, said rotor com rising aplurality of laminae of magnetical y inductive material, each lamina being a disk the radii of which are of different lengths at difierent angular points, certain ofsaid laminae being of conformation difierent from that of the others.
In witness I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto subscribed my name, this 28th day of Sept., 1917.
MELVIN L. SEVERY.
Certificate of Correction.
It' is hereby arena that in Letters-Patent No. i 1923, upon the applieationwof Melvin L; Seve'ry,fof
an improvement in t1ons,- er rors appear in the 464729 anted'AuguSt l4 iiosAage es, California, r01
Methods of and Means for Production of Sonorous V1bra rinted specification requiring correction as follows:
Page 2, line 22, for thewor -t-hin read their; pa
9, l-m'e 17, claim 7, for the -word varying read provided; page 10, line 117, c aim 20, strike out the word 1 .respecti've and insert the same to follow the article the in line 119;. and that the said Letters'Patent should be read with t 'ese corrections therein that the same mag conform to the record of the case in theatent'Oflice.
igned, and sealed this 6th day of- November, A.
, KARL FENNING, Acting Uoimnziasiqner of Patents. a
US196077A 1917-10-06 1917-10-06 Method of and means for production of sonorous vibrations Expired - Lifetime US1464729A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US196077A US1464729A (en) 1917-10-06 1917-10-06 Method of and means for production of sonorous vibrations

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US196077A US1464729A (en) 1917-10-06 1917-10-06 Method of and means for production of sonorous vibrations

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US1464729A true US1464729A (en) 1923-08-14

Family

ID=22724033

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US196077A Expired - Lifetime US1464729A (en) 1917-10-06 1917-10-06 Method of and means for production of sonorous vibrations

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US1464729A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2522433A (en) * 1947-10-24 1950-09-12 Standard Oil Dev Co Seismic wave transmitter
US2619866A (en) * 1950-06-30 1952-12-02 Kenneth J Bailey Acoustical appliance
US20110070806A1 (en) * 2009-09-18 2011-03-24 Gregory Burcham Magnetic Box Call

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2522433A (en) * 1947-10-24 1950-09-12 Standard Oil Dev Co Seismic wave transmitter
US2619866A (en) * 1950-06-30 1952-12-02 Kenneth J Bailey Acoustical appliance
US20110070806A1 (en) * 2009-09-18 2011-03-24 Gregory Burcham Magnetic Box Call
US8216019B2 (en) * 2009-09-18 2012-07-10 Ebsco Industries, Inc. Magnetic box call

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4580481A (en) Magnetic pickup for stringed instruments
US2049616A (en) Electrical musical instrument
US1464729A (en) Method of and means for production of sonorous vibrations
US2424633A (en) Acoustic reservoir for use in a magnetic sound recording and reproducing system
US1573739A (en) Telephonic device
US2151021A (en) Electric organ
US1137544A (en) Tone-producing means.
US2535757A (en) Peripherally driven electroacoustical transducer
US2130251A (en) Musical instrument
US1950859A (en) Apparatus for producing sounds of a musical character
US1854025A (en) Method and apparatus for generating and detecting impulses
US2178706A (en) Musical instrument
US1941870A (en) Electrical musical instrument
US1893250A (en) Method of and means for producing compound tones of predetermined musical quality
US1756838A (en) Sound-reproducing apparatus
US1228639A (en) Sound-producing device.
US2089968A (en) Electrical musical instrument
USRE25728E (en) Stringed musical instrument
US2030573A (en) Electric control
US2532038A (en) Method and apparatus for producing electrical waves of predetermined formation
US3373241A (en) Electronic tremulant device particularly for electronic organs
US2179237A (en) Tone generator
US2536800A (en) Electronic carillon
Hewlett A new tone generator
US2234490A (en) Electric music instrument