US2811129A - Signal horn - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 29, 1957 R. D. BUI-:LL

SIGNAL' HORN Filed April 20, 1954 SIGNAL HORN Roy D. Buell, Chicago, lll.

Application April 20, 1954, Serial No. 424,420

v9 Claims. (Cl. 116-142) This invention relates to a signal horn and more particularly to an extremely compact, powerful and highly efficient huid-actuated signal horn.

According Vto this invention a vibratory diaphragm is supported by ilexible means connected to the diaphragm at its periphery so that the diaphragm can be of minimum size and maximum strength and yet be displaceable through a greater distance to generate more power with greater efficiency.

According to a specific feature of the invention, the flexible means supporting the periphery of the vibratory diaphragm extends inwardly and is supported from a point opposite a central portion of the vibratory diaphragm. With this arrangement, the flexible support means need not extend beyond the periphery of the diaphragm and thus a more compact horn construction is achieved.

According to a further specific feature of the invention the flexible support connected to the periphery of the vibratory diaphragm comprises a second diaphragm supported in spaced aligned relation to the vibratory diaphragm with the peripheries of the two diaphragms being connected and with means connected to the central portion of the second diaphragm for supporting the same. With this arrangement, the flexible support means is simple and readily provided and it does ont project beyond the periphery of the vibratory diaphragm so that the compact construction is achieved.

The support of the periphery of the vibratory diaphragm through a second diaphragm is particularly advantageous where the vibratory diaphragm is actuated by pressurized uid means acting against one face thereof and it is desired to seal the other face thereof from the pressurized fluid, since a sealing connection between the peripheries of the diaphragms can be readily provided.

It is sometimes desirable that such other face of the diaphragm be connected to some other source of fluid or iluid chamber. In accordance with a specific feature of the invention, this may be achieved by providing a suitable port or the like in the support means for the central portion of the support diaphragm.

The signal horn may preferably be of a type in which the diaphragm is mounted within a chamber and supported for vibratory movement into and out of closing relation to an exit opening from the chamber, and in which a source of pressurized fluid is connected to the chamber. In this type of horn construction, the fluid acts to move the diaphragm away from the exit opening to allow flow of iluid through the exit opening. This ilow reduces the pressure acting on the diaphragm so that it may return to its original position in closing relation to the exit opening whereupon pressure builds up in the chamber to again force the diaphragm away from the opening. This cycle of operation is automatically repeated in fast sequence so that a modulated flow of fluid is achieved through the exit opening and an audible sound signal is generated. A suitable horn or the like may be connected to the exit opening from the chamber finite States Patent() f 2,811,129 Patented Oct. 29, 1957 CCu to increase eiciency and to direct the generated sound wave in a desired direction.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the support means for the exible means connected to the vibratory diaphragm is adjustably movable toward and away from the exit opening of the chamber to adjust the operation of the signal horn. In addition, or in the alternative, the exit opening may be dened by a member adjustably mounted for movement toward and away from the diaphragm support means.

In accordance with a still further feature of the invention, the vibratory diaphragm may be normally positioned out of closing relation to the exit opening to permit a steady ow of pressurized iluid out through the exit opening. When it is desired to initiate operation of the horn, the space behind the vibratory diaphragm may be pressurized to urge the diaphragm into closing relation to the opening. Pressure may then build up to move the diaphragm out of such closing relation to the opening, the pressure will then decrease due to the flow and the diaphragm may again close the opening. This cycle is, of course, repeated in fast sequence to generate a sound wave, which will continue as long as the space between the vibratory ldiaphragm is pressurized.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the vibratory and support diaphragms may have integral rim portions extending toward each other, such rim portions having interengaged outwardly projecting flanges with one of the anges being folded over the other to secure the diaphragms in sealed relation.

ln another preferred embodiment of the invention, an annulus of rigid material may be disposed between the peripheral portions of the Vvibratory and support diaphragms and may be sealingly secured thereto.

With the signal horn of this invention, it has been found possible to reduce the size of the driver unit of a signal horn to less than half the size of the conventionally constructed driver unit, and yet obtain a power output and eiiiciency .greater than that obtained with the conventional construction.

An object of this invention, accordingly, is to provide a signal horn or the like which is extremely compact, powerful and highly eicient.

A more specific object ofV this invention is to provide a signal horn including a vibratory diaphragm supported, by a flexible means connected to the diaphragm at its periphery.

AnotherV object of this invention is to provide an improved signal horn in which a vibratory diaphragm is supported by means of a diaphragm in spaced aligned relation to the vibratory diaphragm with the two diaphragms being connected together at their peripheries, and with the second diaphragm being supported centrally.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved signal horn utilizing a vibratory diaphragm actuated by a pressurized uid to control ilow of the fluid, the diaphragm being supported by exible means connected to the diaphragm at its periphery.

Still anotherobject of the present invention is to provide an improved manner of initiating operation of a signal horn.

A still further object of this invention is to provide improved means for connecting the peripheries of a'pair of the diaphragms together in a signal horn or the like.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an' with the accompanying drawing which illustrates preferred embodiments and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a signal horn constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View through a portion of the signal horn of Figure l to illustrate the internal construction;

Figure 2a is a View similar to the portion of Figure 2 illustrating a modified construction;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line III--H'I of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but illustrating another preferred form of signal horn constructed according tothe principles of this invention.

Reference numeral generally designates a signal horn constructedV according to the principles of this invention which may comprise a horn 11 and a fluid-actuated driver unit 12.

The driver unit 12 may have a housing defined' by a pair of generally cup- shaped members 13 and 14 having rims sealingly secured together through a threaded connection 15 and delining a'chamber 16 adapted to be'connected to a source of pressurized fluid through an internally threaded opening 1-7 in the housing member 12. The pressurized fluid may, for example, be compressed air or the device may be connected to the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine.

The housing member 14 may have a central` opening 18 defining anexit opening from the. chamber 16 and the housing member 14 may have an. integral external boss portion 19 about the opening 18 arranged to receive the end of the horn 1.1. The housing member 14 may also have an integral inwardly projecting annular lip 20 aboutthe inner end of the opening 18.

A vibratory diaphragm. 21 is supported within the chamber 16 for movement' into. and out of engagement; with the lip 20, into and out of closing relation to. the opening 18.

According to this invention, the vibratory diaphragm 21 is supported within the chamber 16I by exible means connected to the diaphragm 21 at the periphery thereof which means may most preferably comprise` a second,

diaphragm 22 having its periphery connected` to, the

periphery ofthe diaphragm` 2,1 and having a central portion. supported from thehousing defined by the members 13 and 14.

To connect the peripheries` of the vibratory diaphragm 21 and the support diaphragm 22, the diaphragms 21 and 22V may have integral 'rim portions 23 andV 24, respectively, with these rim portions 23 and 24 having interengaged outwardly projecting flanges 2S and 26, respectively. One of the flanges 25, 26, for example the flange 26 may be wider than the other and may be foldedback over the other to secure the diaphragms 21 and 22 in sealed assembly.

To support the support diaphragm 22 from the housing, a member 27 is provided having a head portion 28 engaging the inner surface of the diaphragm 22 and a shank portion 29 extending through a central aperture in the diaphragm 22 and threaded into a central opening in the housing member 13; The diaphragm 22 may be securely fastened to the member 27 in any desired manner, as by welding, brazing or soldering. The threaded interengagement. between the shank portion 29 of the membery 27 and the housing 13 permits adjustment of the position of member 27 relative to the housing, to adjust the operation of the signal' horn 10.

pose, the outer end of the shank portion 29 of the member 27 may have an annular flange or lip 31.

In the operation of the signal horn 10, the vibratory diaphragm 21 may be urged to va position as illustrated in closing relation to the exit opening 18. Fluid under pressure admitted through the opening 17 into the chamber 16 will urge the diaphragm 21 out of closing relation to the exit opening 18 to allowV ilow of the pressurized lluid through the opening 18 into the throat of the horn 11. Due to the resiliency of the diaphragm 21 and the resilient -support of the periphery thereof through the diaphragm 22, the movement of the diaphragm 21 away from the lip 20 about the opening 18 may be quite large and the diaphragm 21 may, for example, assume a position as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2 to allow a large ow of the fluid into the horn 11.

Flow through the exit opening 18 into the horn 11 will, of course, reduce the pressure within the chamber 16 andthe inherent resiliency of the diaphragms 21 and 22, as well as increased pressure in the space between the diaphragms may force the diaphragm 21 back toward closing relation to the exit opening 18, against the reduced pressure within the chamber 16. When the diaphragm To provide communication with the space between the 21 is again moved into closing relation to the opening 18, fluid pressure may again build up within the chamber 16 to force the diaphragm 21y toward its dotted-line position as illustrated in Figure 2 out of closing relation to the opening 18. This cycle will be repeated in extremely fast sequence to produce a modulated flow of pressurized air into the horn 11, and thus generate an audible sound wave. The frequency of the sound wave which may, for example, be from to 1000 cycles per second is determinedv by the resiliency ofthe diaphragms 21 and 22, the mass of the diaphragms 21 andv 22, the pressure at the source of pressurized iluid, the resistance of the flow path between such source and the chamber 16, and various other factors. This` frequency may be adjusted by adjustingthe position of the member 27 relative to the housing and, for maximum output, is adjusted into resonance with the bell or horn 11 which, of course will resonate at a certain frequency determined by its length and flare. When the member 27 has been moved to the desired position, a lock nut 32 may be turned into tight engagement with the endl of an annular boss 33 of the housingy member 13.

The operation of the horn-10 may alsobe adjusted to some extent by providing for a limited flow of pressurized air from the chamber 16 into the space between the diaphragms 21 and 22. For this purpose, the rim portion 22'y of the diaphragmA 21 may be provided with a small opening.34 as'illustratedrin Figure 2A. j

It may be notedk that the operation of the signal horn lflfis also affected by the size of the portl 30 in the support member'27`. In some. cases, it may be desirable to completely close the port 3i); In general however, it is desirable, to. have; som'e path from the space between the diaphragms 2'1 andv 22:. to the space outside the housing of the unit 12', to prevent pressure from building up in such space in thef eventv there is leakage from the space 15; to: the spacebetween they diaphragms 21 and22.

According to a further feature of. the invention, the support member27 mightv be moved to the left from the position as illustrated in Figure 2; so that the diaphragm 2,1? is-'outof closing relationto theiexit opening 18. Pressurized iuidi admitted: at4 the opening 17 may then ow through.theexitopening 1S into thefhorn'll without generating a sound Wave. Whenzitt is then desired to initiate operationof the unit, a pressurized fluid may beadmittedk through the port 30 intothe space between the diaphragms,

21 and 22 to urge'the: diaphragm 21 into closing relation.

to the exitropening 181 'Ihetunitt 10Jwill then operate to generate asound wave andwill continue to operate as-long asthe pressure is maintained between the diaphragms 21 andi22.

It should be notedfthatfthe diaphragms 21 and 22, and" the housing members 13 and 14 'are most preferably of circular form, for ease of construction and assembly and for reliable operation, as is illustrated in Figure 3.

In Figure 4, reference numeral 35 illustrates a modied signal horn which may comprise a horn 36 and a driver unit 37. The driver unit 37 may be constructed in a manner similar to the driver unit 12 as above described and may comprise a pair of generally cup-shaped housing members 38 and 39 having rim portions secured in sealed relation through a threaded connection 40. The housing member 39 may have a central internally threaded opening 41 with an annular external boss 42 therearound, the opening 41 being adapted to threadingly receive an externally threaded sleeve 43 defining an exit opening from a chamber 44 defined by the housing members 38 and 39 the throat end of the horn 36 being disposed in such opening. This opening is designated by reference numeral 45.

The housing 39 may also have an internally vthreaded opening 46 for receiving coupling means for establishing communication between the chamber 44 and a source of uid under pressure.

A diaphragm 47 corresponding to the diaphragm 21 in the signal horn above described, is supported within the chamber 44 for movement into and out of closing relation to the exit opening 45 by means of a second diaphragm 48 having its periphery connected to the periphery of the diaphragm 47 and having a central portion supported from the housing member 38.

For connecting the peripheries of the diaphragms 47 and 48, an annular ring 49 of rigid material may be disposed between and securely axed to the peripheries of the diaphragms 47 and 48.

The central portion of the diaphragm 48 may be connected to the housing member 38 through a support member 50 substantially identical to the member 27 of the signal horn 10 above described, the member 50 being locked in any desired adjusted position relative to the housing member 38 by a lock nut 51. The member 50 also has an outer lip 52, like the lip 31 of the member 27 above described, for sealingly engaging the internal surface of a tube 53 of exible material communicating with the space between the diaphragms 47 and 48 through a port 54 in the member 50. The tube 53 is connected to a bulb 5S of flexible material which may be manually collapsed.

The support 50 may be so positioned relative to the support sleeve 43 for the horn 36 that the diaphragm 47 is out of closing relation to the exit opening 45, to permit a uniform ow of the pressurized uid from the inlet opening 46 through the exit opening 45, without generating any sound wave. The chamber 44 may thus be permanently connected to a source of pressurized uid.

To initiate operation of the signal horn 35, the bulb 55 may be collapsed to increase the pressure in the space between diaphragms 47 and 48 to force the diaphragm 47 into closing relation to the exit opening 45. Pressure may then build up within the chamber 44 to force the diaphragm 47 out of contact with the end of the sleeve 43 to permit ow of uid from the chamber 44 through the exit opening 45 into the throat of the horn 46. This flow will, of course, reduce the pressure within the chamber 44 thus allowing the diaphragm 47 to move back into closing relation to the opening 45. This cycle of operation will be repeated in fast sequence to 'achieve a modulated flow of fluid through the opening 45 into the signal horn 36 to generate an audible sound wave. continue as long as the pressure is maintained in the space between the diaphragms 47 and 48 by collapsing of the bulb 55.

When the pressure on the bulb 55 is released, the fluid in the space between the diaphragms 47 and 48 may flow through the port 54 and tube 53 to the bulb 55 to restore the original pressure condition and stop operation of the signal horn 35.

'I'his sound wave will It will be apparent that the bulb 55 may becorinected through the tube 53 to the member 27 of the signal horn 10 to control the operation thereof.

By way of illustrative example and not by Way of limitation, the diaphragms 21, 2.2 or 47, 48 may have diameters of approximately one and one-half inches and the housing defined by the members 13, 14, or the housing defined by the members 38, 39 may have a diameter of approximately two inches. With such dimensions, the units 10 and 35 will develop as much power as a ve inch diaphragm in a six inch housing of 'a conventional construction, and with equal if not better efficiency.

This, of course, is apparently due tothe unique support of the peripheral portion of the vibratory diaphragms through the support diaphragms.

The diaphragms 21, 22, 47 and 48 may most preferably be of beryllium copper, or other material having a very low fatigue factor.

It should be noted that the support diaphragms need not be directly supported from the housings but may be supported from ilexible means such as additional exible diaphragms. A bellows-like arrangement of diaphragms may, for example, be used. Y

It will be understood that other modiiications and variations may be eiected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim vas my invention:

1. In a signal horn, a vibratory diaphragm, pres surized fluid means acting on one side of said diaphragm to vibrate the same, and means for both supporting said diaphragm and for sealing the other side of said diaphragm from said pressurized fluid means, comprising: a support Vdiaphragm in spaced aligned relation to said vibratory diaphragm, means .sealingly connectingthe peripheries of said diaphragms, and means supporting a central portion of said support diaphragm.

2. In a signal horn, a vibratory diaphragm, pressurized fluid means acting on one side of said diaphragm to vibrate the same, and means for both supporting said diaphragm and for sealing the other side of said diaphragm from said pressurized uid means, comprising: a support diaphragm in spaced aligned relation to said vibratory diaphragm, means sealingly connecting the peripheries of said diaphragms, and means supporting a central portion of said support diaphragm, and having a port in communication with the space between said diaphragms.

3. In a signal horn, a housing defining a chamber adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized uid and having an exit opening, a vibratory diaphragm having one face arranged to seal said opening, a support diaphragm disposed in spaced aligned relation to the other face of said vibratory diaphragm, means connecting the peripheries of said diaphragms, and means supporting a central portion of said support diaphragm from said housing.

4. In a signal horn, a housing defining a chamber adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized iluid and having an exit opening, a vibratory diaphragm having one face arranged to seal said opening, a support diaphragm disposed in spaced aligned relation to the other face of said vibratory diaphragm, means connecting the peripheries of said diaphragms, and means supporting a central portion of said support diaphragm from said housing, and having a port in communication with the space between said diaphragms.

5. In a signal horn, a housing dem'ng a chamber adapted to be connected to a source of pressured fluid and having an exit opening, a vibratory diaphragm having one face arranged to seal said opening, a support diaphragm disposed in spaced aligned relation to the other face of said vibratory diaphragm, means connecting the peripheries of said diaphragms, and means supporting a central portion of said support diaphragm from said housing and adjustably movable toward and away from said exit opening; v Y

6. In a signal horn, a housing delining a chamber adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized fluid, a vibratory diaphragm in said chamber, a support diaphragm disposed in spaced aligned relation to one face of said vibratory diaphragm, means connecting the peripheries of said diaphragms, means supporting a central portion of said support diaphragm from said housing, a member deiining an exit opening from said chamber and engageable with the other face of said vibratory di"- phragm to close said opening, and means for adjusting the positionl of said member relative to said housing.

7. rIn a signal horn, a housing defining a chamber adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized iluid and having anexit opening, a diaphragm, and flexible means connected between said housing and the periphery of said diaphragm for supporting said diaphragm within said chamber for vibratory movement into and out of closing relation to said opening.

8. In a signal horn, a housing deiining a chamber adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized fiuid and having an exit opening, a diaphragm, flexible means connected? to; the periphery oi-A said diaphragm for supportirigl'said diaphragm Within said chamber for vibratory movement' into and out of closing relation to said opening, and means connecting said flexible means to said housing andl adjustably movable toward and away from said opening.

9; Ina signal horn', a `housingdening a chamber adapted to be connected toa source of pressurized uid, a member supported by said housing and defining an exit opening from said chamber, a diaphragm, exible means connected between said housing and the periphery of said diaphragmv for supporting said diaphragm within said chamber for vibratory movement into and out of closing relation to said opening, and means for adjusting the position of said member relative to said housing.

Reerenccsted in theiilefof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,427,281 Garratt Aug. 29A, 1922 1,676,528 Critchfield July l0, 1928 2,645,198 Stafford July 14, 1953

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