US3722616A - Directional loudspeaker system - Google Patents
Directional loudspeaker system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3722616A US3722616A US00097960A US3722616DA US3722616A US 3722616 A US3722616 A US 3722616A US 00097960 A US00097960 A US 00097960A US 3722616D A US3722616D A US 3722616DA US 3722616 A US3722616 A US 3722616A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- enclosure
- speaker
- acoustical
- cone
- ports
- 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
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
- H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
- H04R1/32—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only
- H04R1/34—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by using a single transducer with sound reflecting, diffracting, directing or guiding means
- H04R1/345—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by using a single transducer with sound reflecting, diffracting, directing or guiding means for loudspeakers
- H04R1/347—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by using a single transducer with sound reflecting, diffracting, directing or guiding means for loudspeakers for obtaining a phase-shift between the front and back acoustic wave
Definitions
- a loudspeaker system includes a loudspeaker mounted in an enclosure, the enclosure having a front port for exiting the sound energy radiated by the front of the speaker cone and a port, or ports, or other areas for exiting the sound energy radiated by the rear of the speaker cone which is out of phase with the front radiation.
- the port, ports or areas through which the energy from the back cone surfaces is radiated is 'made acoustically resistive so as to delay the sound energy in conjunction with the acoustic compliance of the enclosure.
- the dimensions of the enclosure, the effective resistivity, and the total area from which the speaker rear energy is radiated are chosen so that the sound energy from the rear of the speaker cone effectively cancels out sound arriving from the front of the speaker cone at regions to the rear of the enclosure. This minimizes the effective acoustical energy to the rear of the loudspeaker system so as to make for a forwardly directed sound radiation pattern.
- This invention relates to loudspeaker systems, and more particularly to a loudspeaker combined with an enclosure which provides a directional sound radiation pattern.
- the system of this invention overcomes the shortcomings of prior art low frequency speaker systems in providing a system utilizing a single speaker housed in a relatively small enclosure which has very low rearward acoustical radiation and a broad forward radiation pattern over the entire low frequency spectrum of interest for most applications.
- the device of the invention further is of relatively economical and simple design and construction, and occupies a minimum amount of space. Also, the device of the invention is such that it can be adapted for adjustment in the field so as to provide optimum radiation characteristics for the particular application requirements at hand.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view partially cut away showing the opposite side of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
- FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic illustrations illustrating the operation of the device of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the device of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the device of the invention.
- FIGS. 6 and 6A are perspective views illustrating a fourth embodiment of the device of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the device of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the device of the invention.
- the device of the invention comprises a loudspeaker which is housed in an enclosure, the enclosure having a forward port through which acoustical energy from the forward portion of the speaker cone is exited, and a port, ports, or distributed radiating areas located in the rear or side portions of the enclosure through which acoustical energy radiated by the rear of the speaker cone is exited.
- the volume of the enclosure, the size of the port, ports, or distributed radiating areas which communicate with the rear of the cone and the resistive action on the sound exiting are all designed so as to makefor sound of equal and opposite polarity at azimuths near the rear axis of the speaker enclosure, such components effectively cancelling each other so that most of the acoustic energy is radiated in the forward direction with greatly diminished radiation to the rear.
- the resistive portion of the acoustic impedance is provided by means of resistive material which covers the ports for exiting sound while in another embodi ment, the resistance is provided by a plurality of relatively small apertures distributed over the port area.
- the enclosure itself is comprised of a resistive material.
- an adjustable cover member is provided for use in setting the rearward acoustical port area in the field.
- Loudspeaker 11 is mounted in speaker enclosure 14 with the front portion 11a of the speaker cone positioned in front aperture 140.
- Enclosure 14 has a pair of equal size apertures 14b and 14c formed in the opposite sides thereof.
- acoustically resistive material 16 which may, for example, be of fiberglass.
- Mounted over the pieces of acoustically resistive material 16 to provide a protective covering therefor are thin metallic sheets 18 which have apertures 18a formed therein, the apertures in the protective sheets 18a being sufficiently large so as to be acoustically transparent.
- Substantially all of the acoustical energy radiated by the front cone portion passes through the front aperture 14a of the speaker enclosure, while the energy components radiated by the rear portion 11b of the speaker cone which are in phase opposition to those radiated by the front portion 11a are exited through side apertures 14b and 140, these rear baffle components being phase shifted by resistive material 16 in conjunction with the acoustical reactance of the enclosure volume, and exited substantially equal by the two side apertures.
- the point x is an arbitrarily chosen point at a distance from the speaker which is large compared to the wave length of the sound being considered.
- r is the distance from the point x to the front of the speaker cone 11a, and r, and r, are the distances from each of the side ports 14a and 14b respectively to the point 1:.
- the sound exiting from the two side ports 14a and 14b is nearly in phase, they will combine at the remote point x to produce a resultant sound that has phase and amplitude characteristics nearly identical to that which would be produced by a fictitious source on the speaker axis and midway between the ports 14a and 14b.
- the acoustic path Ax represents the effective acoustic path length between the front of the speaker cone 11a and the rear of the cone and the fictitious sound source s has been shown schematically. It is to be understood that the selection of the point x in this illustration is quite arbitrary and could have been chosen, for example, to the rear of the enclosure where the resultant sound field would be greatly diminished by virtue of the phase relationships of nearly opposite polarity that exist in that area.
- P, P, P, measured at one meter.
- 0 is the angular velocity of the sinusoidal signal exciting the loudspeaker.
- 0 is the angle between the axis of the loudspeaker system (i.e., as represented in FIGS. 3a and 3b by the line A which runs through the center of the speaker baffle and perpendicular thereof) and a line from the center of the speaker to the remote point x.
- c is the velocity of sound in air (I) is the phase shift in radians imparted to the sound radiated from ports 14a and 14b by the resistive material in conjunction with the reactance of the enclosure volume.
- AX is the effective acoustic path length from the front side of the speaker cone to the apparent point of radiation of the sound being exited by the near ports 14a and 14b, i.e., a point on the axis of the loudspeaker system.
- r is the distance from the center of the system to the remote point, i.e., in common vector notation Ifthe phase shift (b is made proportional to frequency i.e., a time delay is introduced, the directional characteristics of the system will be independent of frequency for the specified conditions. This end result can be achieved by subjecting the sound emanating from the rear side of the speaker cone to a time delay of 1' seconds. Substituting arr for its equivalent (1) in equation 1 results in the following equation:
- a b and a b/ 3 are of special interest and result in directional patterns which are known as the cardioid and hyper-cardioid respectively.
- the desired delay 1' is achieved in this device by means of subjecting the sound emanating from the rear side of the speaker cone to an acoustical compliance in conjunction with an acoustical resistance.
- This time delay at low frequencies is numerically equal to the product of the acoustical compliance and resistance. When expressed as an equation, this delay is given as:
- R is the specific acoustic resistance of the resistance material used in M.K.S. rayls,
- p is the density of air
- c is the speed of sound and air
- 'r is the time delay to which the sound radiation from the side ports is subjected in seconds.
- the acoustical signals arriving at a remote point x which originate from the near rear portions of the speaker cone (as shown in FIG 3b) are nearly out of phase with those arriving from the front portion of the speaker cone (illustrated in FIG 3a). These signals thus effectively cancel each other out so that there is reduced radiation at this point.
- the design thus is implemented to cancel out radiationrearward of the I speaker by virtue of the control of the phasal relationships between the signals arriving in these areas.
- the radiation to the frontward of the speaker has a fairly broad radiation pattern.
- FIG. 4 another embodiment of the device of the invention is illustrated.
- a single exit port 14b is utilized, this single port having the total area necessary to achieve the desired radiation pattern.
- Port 14b as for the ports of the first embodiment, is covered with acoustical material 16 having an acoustically transparent covering 18, which may be fabricated of sheet metal having apertures 18a formed therein.
- the embodiment of FIG. 4 is designed and operates in the same manner as described for the embodiment of FIGS 1 and 2, the only difference being that all of the acoustical port area is provided in the single port rather than being divided as in the previous embodiment.
- FIG 5 a further embodiment of the device of the invention is illustrated.
- the acoustical resistance is achieved by making a plurality of relatively smallapertures 14d in the rear wall of the speaker enclosure 14.
- a port for the acoustical energy radiated by the rear portions of the speaker cone can be provided with a predesired time delay in the same manner as described in connection with the previous embodime'nts.
- FIGS. 6 and 6a an embodiment of the device of the invention in which the effective size of the rear exit port can be experimentally adjusted in the field is illustrated.
- a single round port 14b is provided in the back wall of speaker enclosure 14.
- Completely covering port 14b, as for the previous embodiments, is acoustically resistant material 16 which has a perforated metal sheet 18, adhered thereto, to protect it from damage, sheet 18 being acoustically transparent.
- Baffle'27 is formed from a steel plate 28 which is thick enough to be acoustically opaque (about one-eighth inch) which has adhered to its surface a felt lining 30. Baffle member 27 may be selectively positioned so as to expose all or any portion of exit port 14b, the baffle being heldin any desired position by tightening wing nut 25 with felt liner 30 abutting tightly against the back wall of the enclosure.
- the effective size of exit port 14b can be adjusted in the field experimentally for an optimum acoustical radiation pattern.
- exit ports for the rearward acoustical energy could also be located in the top or bottom portions of the speaker enclosure, provided of course that these portions are exposed and that the needed area for these ports is available. Variations of the value of the acoustical resistance may also be made in a further embodiment by causing the resistive material to be compressed between acoustically transparent sheets of perforated metal.
- side top and back portions 32-34 are fabricated of an acoustically resistive material which is attached to a supporting frame 37.
- the volume of the enclosure is defined by the resistive material.
- the thickness of the resistive material is experimentally changed, i.e., Successive layers added, until the desired radiation pattern is achieved. This is necessary since the sound exiting area is essentially equal to that of the sides made from the resistive material and is not easily adjustable.
- the speaker 11 is mounted in front baffle 43.
- strips 35 of acoustically resistant and resilient material such as a plastic foam are placed between the back cover 36 of the enclosure and back posts 38 of the enclosure frame to form acoustical ports 39 and 40.
- the acoustical resistance of the ports can then be adjusted by tightening or loosening screws 42 so as to vary the degree of compression of strips 35 and thus changing both the effective areas of the ports and the characteristics of the resistive material.
- V j acoustically resistant and resilient material
- the device of this invention thus provides simple yet highly effective means for controlling the radiation pattern of a low frequency speaker system so as to minimize radiation to the rear of the speaker which causes undesirable distortion.
- a speaker system comprising:
- a speaker member having a cone with front and rear portions for radiating acoustical energy in phase opposition relationship and an enclosure in which i said speaker is mounted, said enclosure having a port formed therein for exiting the acoustical energy radiated by the front portions of said cone to the front of said enclosure, the improvement comprising:
- resistive material for providing a predetermined acoustical resistance covering said ports so as to time delay the acoustical energy exited from said P0115, said ports having a predetermined area, said enclosure having a predetermined volume, and said rewithin said frequency range at substantially all points to the rear of said speaker enclosure.
- R is the specific acoustic resistance of the exit port 10 material, Vis the volume of the enclosure, p is the density of air,
- 0 is the velocity of sound and air
- Ax is the effective acoustical path length from the front side of the speaker cone to the apparent point of radiation of the sound exited by the port means.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (2)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US9796070A | 1970-12-14 | 1970-12-14 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3722616A true US3722616A (en) | 1973-03-27 |
Family
ID=22265937
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US00097960A Expired - Lifetime US3722616A (en) | 1970-12-14 | 1970-12-14 | Directional loudspeaker system |
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US (1) | US3722616A (en) |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4054748A (en) * | 1975-10-22 | 1977-10-18 | Elektroakusztikai Gyar | Cardioid electro-acoustic radiator |
US4196792A (en) * | 1978-11-09 | 1980-04-08 | Grieves J Philip | Laminar flow vented speaker enclosure |
US4593784A (en) * | 1984-05-03 | 1986-06-10 | C. Harold Weston, Jr. | Loudspeaker enclosure |
FR2668015A1 (en) * | 1990-10-16 | 1992-04-17 | Piccfaluga Pierre | METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE RESTORATION OF A SOUND ATMOSPHERE, AND IMPLEMENTATION APPARATUS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SPEAKER EMITTING IN THREE DIRECTIONS. |
US5115470A (en) * | 1990-04-11 | 1992-05-19 | Sutheim Peter E | Sound reinforcement system |
US5552569A (en) * | 1995-03-08 | 1996-09-03 | Sapkowski; Mechislao | Exponential multi-ported acoustic enclosure |
DE19709222A1 (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 1998-11-05 | Siemens Ag | End shield, especially for electrical machines |
US20080129470A1 (en) * | 2005-03-14 | 2008-06-05 | American Technology Corporation | Directional acoustic device |
US20100104124A1 (en) * | 2008-10-24 | 2010-04-29 | Robert Abraham | Item Mounting System |
WO2010108123A1 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2010-09-23 | Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated | Loudspeaker with passive low frequency directional control |
EP3018915A1 (en) * | 2014-11-04 | 2016-05-11 | Dutch & Dutch B.V. | Directional loudspeaker |
USD815070S1 (en) * | 2016-12-29 | 2018-04-10 | Facebook, Inc. | Electronic device |
US20180234770A1 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2018-08-16 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Speaker box and projection device |
US10104469B2 (en) | 2014-05-01 | 2018-10-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Multiple aperture device for low-frequency line arrays |
US10123111B2 (en) | 2016-06-03 | 2018-11-06 | Fulcrum Acoustic, LLC | Passive cardioid speaker |
US11102570B2 (en) | 2019-06-11 | 2021-08-24 | Bose Corporation | Auto-configurable bass loudspeaker |
US11153680B2 (en) | 2020-02-13 | 2021-10-19 | Bose Corporation | Stackable loudspeakers |
-
1970
- 1970-12-14 US US00097960A patent/US3722616A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4054748A (en) * | 1975-10-22 | 1977-10-18 | Elektroakusztikai Gyar | Cardioid electro-acoustic radiator |
US4196792A (en) * | 1978-11-09 | 1980-04-08 | Grieves J Philip | Laminar flow vented speaker enclosure |
US4593784A (en) * | 1984-05-03 | 1986-06-10 | C. Harold Weston, Jr. | Loudspeaker enclosure |
US5115470A (en) * | 1990-04-11 | 1992-05-19 | Sutheim Peter E | Sound reinforcement system |
FR2668015A1 (en) * | 1990-10-16 | 1992-04-17 | Piccfaluga Pierre | METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE RESTORATION OF A SOUND ATMOSPHERE, AND IMPLEMENTATION APPARATUS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SPEAKER EMITTING IN THREE DIRECTIONS. |
WO1992007448A1 (en) * | 1990-10-16 | 1992-04-30 | Pierre Piccaluga | Method of improving the quality of sound reproduction and apparatus for carrying out said process comprising at least one loudspeaker emitting in three directions |
US5446793A (en) * | 1990-10-16 | 1995-08-29 | Piccaluga; Pierre | Method of improving the quality of sound reproduction and apparatus for carrying at least one loudspeaker emitting in three directions |
US5552569A (en) * | 1995-03-08 | 1996-09-03 | Sapkowski; Mechislao | Exponential multi-ported acoustic enclosure |
DE19709222A1 (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 1998-11-05 | Siemens Ag | End shield, especially for electrical machines |
US20080129470A1 (en) * | 2005-03-14 | 2008-06-05 | American Technology Corporation | Directional acoustic device |
US7551062B2 (en) | 2005-03-14 | 2009-06-23 | American Technology Corporation | Directional acoustic device |
US20100104124A1 (en) * | 2008-10-24 | 2010-04-29 | Robert Abraham | Item Mounting System |
WO2010108123A1 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2010-09-23 | Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated | Loudspeaker with passive low frequency directional control |
EP2409499A4 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2016-06-01 | Meyer Sound Lab Inc | Loudspeaker with passive low frequency directional control |
CN102422653A (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2012-04-18 | 麦耶声音实验室股份有限公司 | Loudspeaker with passive low frequency directional control |
US8428284B2 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2013-04-23 | Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated | Loudspeaker with passive low frequency directional control |
CN102422653B (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2014-09-17 | 麦耶声音实验室股份有限公司 | Loudspeaker with passive low frequency directional control |
US20100254558A1 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2010-10-07 | Meyer John D | Loudspeaker with passive low frequency directional control |
US10104469B2 (en) | 2014-05-01 | 2018-10-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Multiple aperture device for low-frequency line arrays |
NL2013741B1 (en) * | 2014-11-04 | 2016-10-06 | Dutch & Dutch B V | Directional loudspeaker. |
EP3018915A1 (en) * | 2014-11-04 | 2016-05-11 | Dutch & Dutch B.V. | Directional loudspeaker |
US10123111B2 (en) | 2016-06-03 | 2018-11-06 | Fulcrum Acoustic, LLC | Passive cardioid speaker |
USD815070S1 (en) * | 2016-12-29 | 2018-04-10 | Facebook, Inc. | Electronic device |
US20180234770A1 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2018-08-16 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Speaker box and projection device |
US10616688B2 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2020-04-07 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Speaker box and projection device |
US11102570B2 (en) | 2019-06-11 | 2021-08-24 | Bose Corporation | Auto-configurable bass loudspeaker |
US11153680B2 (en) | 2020-02-13 | 2021-10-19 | Bose Corporation | Stackable loudspeakers |
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Owner name: ALTEC LANSING CORPORATION, 101 COLLEGE ROAD, EAST, Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ALTEC CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004441/0472 Effective date: 19850715 |
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Owner name: MARINE MIDLAND BANK, N.A.,NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ALTEC LANSING CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004761/0630 Effective date: 19870416 Owner name: MARINE MIDLAND BANK, N.A., ONE MARINE MIDLAND CENT Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ALTEC LANSING CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004761/0630 Effective date: 19870416 |
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Owner name: ALTEC LANSING CORPORATION Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:MARINE MIDLAND BANK, N.A., AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:005041/0028 Effective date: 19880223 |