US957161A - Diaphragm-actuated horn and resonator therefor. - Google Patents

Description

M. R. HUTGHISON DIAPHRAGM AOTUATBD HORN AND RESONATOR THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1909.

Patented May 3, 1910.

MS ATTORNEY n" W MM WITNESSES.-

Mlum! a, 671mm :0. Psm'o-umocmmiis. WASHINGTON n. c.

MILLER REESE HUTGl-IISON, OF SUMMIT, NENV JERSEY.

DIAPHRACfiM-ACTUATED HORN AND RESONATOR. THEREFOR.

Original application filed May 16, 1907, Serial No. 378,946.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3, 1910.

Divided and this application filed May 6, 1909.

erial No. 48%,395.

T 0 (LR whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILLER Rnnsn HU'I'OHISON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Summit, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Diaphragin-Actuated Horns and Resonators Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

My invention concerns improvements applicable to diaphragm-actuated horns, such as shown in my applications Serial Nos. 278,562, 280,910 and 291,518, and in my Patents 923,0 l8, 923,0 l9 and 923,122, of May 25, 1909, and particularly those disclosed in the said patents, this case being a division of my application Serial No. 37 5,9410, on which said Patent No. 923,0%0 was granted.

The invention has for its object to im prove the construction and relative arrangement of supporting bracket, diaphragm case, and resonator or horn proper. The latter is preferably flattened and preferably pro vided with an oval or laterally flattened bell mouth. It is preferably secured to the front wall of the case by means of a forwardly extending flange, to which it may be socured by brazing or spinning, or both. The case is arranged to clamp the periphery of the diaphragm and to form a more or extended annular space or cavity in front of the diaphragm and surrounding the open ing for the horn, this space being preferably relatively narrow and the front wall being preferably parallel with the diaphragm. Openings or passages are preferably provided in the front wall of the casing adjacent the bottom of such space or cavity, thus affording an outlet for dirt, water, etc, which may enter through the open end of the horn.

hen the device is not in operation foreign matter may drain out or may be shaken out of the opening and when the diaphragm is vibrated the puffs of air will also tend to clear out any accumulation of matter not removed by ordinary drainage. This feature is a great improvement and is of especial advantage in connection with any apparatus having a vibratory acoustic diaphragm intended for use in exposed situations, inasmuch as the cavity on the front face of the diaphragm is relieved of foreign matter entering from the outside while the space in the rear part of the case is closed in by the diaphragm itself, so that the cooperative parts or actuating devices whose functions are correlated with the vibrations .of the diaphragm, are perfectly protected without in any manner interfering with the intimate coiiperative relation.

The various features are preferably embodied in a unitary arrangement comprising a laterally flattened horn, a laterally projecting bracket for supporting the horn, holes at both top and. bottom of the front wall of the case for the exit of foreign matter, and provision for reversing the power connections of the horn at the rear of the case, so that a horn provided with a single lateral bracket may be secured on either the right or the left hand side of a support.

hfy invention will be more fully understood from the accompanying description and the claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the instrument with the diaphragm and adjacent parts broken away to vertical section; Fig. 2 is a face view looking into the resonator, showing the instrument attached to the side of a suitable support.

Fig. 1 shows certain characteristic features of the operating mechanism of the horn sufficient for present purposes. It will be understood that the details now shown may be and preferably are such as shown in said application Serial No. 373,046 (Patent h'o. 923,0QQ). The operating mechanism comprises a cam l, suitably supported in operative relation to a thrust member 2, secured upon the steel diaphragm 3. The structure of the latter may be such as described in my Patent No. 883,645. The cam is rotated by flexible shaft t passing through the boss 5 in the case 25, and secured in place by a nut 0. The case is formed with similar boss 7 in which an oil cup 8 secured by nut The bosses 5 and 7 are similar and symmetrical, so that either one of them is equally adapted for passage of the drive shaft or of the oil cup, according as the device is arranged one side up or the other side up in practical use.

The rear section of the case is formed with an annular clamping surface 10, adapted to cooperate with the front case or resonator section 11, to clamp the peripheral portion of the diaphragm 3. The front wall of the case is preferably parallel with the diaphragm and spaced far enough away from it to permit maximum vibration of the dia phragm without engagement of the latter with the case thereby forming a chamber back of the resonator section 11 which serves at once as an air chamber acoustically aiding in the operation of the horn and as a chamber for the reception of foreign matter such as moisture, sand, dirt, etc. The

, case is formed with a central opening 15 preferably of large diameter so as to expose a large part of the effectively vibrating part of the diaphragm, preferably onethird to two-thirds of the entire unclamped area thereof. The size of this opening determines the size of the base or smaller end of the resonator which fits over it. The walls of the resonator diverge but slightly over most of the length of its body portion, so that exclusive of the bell mouth, the air column is short and thick and of relatively uniform cross-sectional areas, as compared with ordinary horns. This gives a heavy resonant air column, well adapted to transmit as a definite acoustic wave the large amount of power available from the mechanically driven diaphragm.

As explained in my original application, now Patent No. 923,049, of which this case is a division, the resonator with its resonant air column is excited by the diaphragm and vibrating means, preferably so as to produce a definite note of frequency corresponding to or lower than one of the natural frequencies of the device and such frequencies may be relatively low, that is of the order of four or five hundred per second but not too low to give a definite note.

The opening 15 is surrounded by an annular flange let. The resonator 13 is secured to this flange either by spinning the metal against the outer wall thereof or by brazing, or preferably by both. The pe riphery of the front case 11 is preferably formed with a rearwardly extending annular flange 16 adapted to fit over the rear section of the case and protect the seams between the diaphragm and clamping surfaces.

The quality of the note is improved and destructive vibration and cutting action of the diaphragm, which would result from direct contact of vibratory elastic metals, is prevented by washers or gaskets 12, 12, arranged on each side of the diaphragm between it and the clamping faces on the front and rear sections of the case. These washers may be of non-vibratory material, such as cork, wood, or hardened fiber, the material and the arrangement thereof being such that when clamped in place by the screw bolts 12 a water tight joint is formed. This feature does not form part of the subject matter of this application the claims therefor having been canceled for transfer to another application.

As the open end of the horn is usually presented in the direction of movement of the vehicle or launch, it is desirable to have exit openings at 19, 20, so as to afford an outlet for water or small particles of sand or dirt, which may find their way through the open end of the horn into the space between the diaphragm and the front wall of 11. As stated, this space is preferably not much wider than is necessary to permit maximum vibration of the diaphragm without its striking against the case both for acoustic reasons and to promote discharge of foreign matter, though this depends largely upon the relative proportions of the parts and good effects may be secured with wider spaclng. By having two such exits for foreign matter, one at the top and the other at the bottom of the case, there will always be one of them in operative position, whichever side of the device happens to be downward when in use. The device is provided with a bracket 22, adapted to be secured by bolts 23 to the side of an upright support 24, which in this case is shown as a section of the dashboard of an automobile.

As will be evident by comparing Figs. 1 and 2, the resonator 13 is laterally flattened so as to have a transverse major axis arranged vertically and preferably terminating in a bell, having a correspondingly flattened or oval outline.

\Vhere the sound produced is a definite note of definite frequency, where the frequency is such that the physical length of each half wave of sound, 1s greater than the length of the resonator, and where there is resonance of the air column of the horn, flattening of the resonator has the effect of spreading the sound in the direction in which the resonator is of smaller dimension and of limiting the spread in the direction in which the resonator is of greater dimension. This phenomenon renders the device particularly convenient for attachment to the side of a support, since the disposition of resonator which is most advantageous acoustically, is also the one which is most compact and most desirable physically.

It will be obvious from the above that if it is desired to shift the horn from the side of the dash-board indicated in Fig. 2 over to the other side, it is only necessary to reverse the connection of the flexible shaft 4 and oil cup 8, and to turn the horn over so that the bracket 22 will project from the left hand side thereof, instead of the ri ht hand side. In either case, the resonator as its major axis in a vertical plane with the one or the other of the drain holes in position to afford an outlet from whichever portion of the space between the diaphragm and front wall happens to be lowermost.

The special acoustic features and advantages resulting from proximity and parallelism of the front wall of the case to the diaphragm, from the relatively great internal diameter of the sound opening and the base of the horn as compared with the diameter of the diaphragm, and from the lateral flattening and vertical flaring of the resonator, are each of special significance and all cooperate effectively for the above described purposes when the diaphragm vibration consists of a bodily movement of all of the central portions of the diaphragm simultaneously in the same direction, or when the diaphragm vibrations are forced regularly so as to produce definite notes or when the frequency of the note is the same as that of the resonator. The drainage or clearingout arrangements for the space in front of the diaphragm prevent these features and advantages from becoming inefiectual when the device is used in exposed situations. The drainage openings or exit passages or orifices, as 1 have variously termed them, are particularly efficient by reason of the proximity thereto of the vibratory diaphragm and where the vibrations of the latter are of considerable amplitude so as to produce delinite unitary waves of condensation and rarefication, the recurrent high velocity air movements caused thereby are peculiarly eliicient in agitating and clearing out anything that may find its way into the space between the diaphragm and the wall of the case.

While I have herein fully shown and described, and have pointed out in the appended claims certain novel features of construction, arrangement, and operation which characterize my invention, it will be understood by those lllQCl in the art that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the forms, proportions, sizes and details of the device and of its operation, may be made without departing from my invention.

1 claim:

1. A signal device comprising a vibratory diaphragm, and means for applying power for forcibly vibrating the central portions thereof to produce a definite note of definite normally uniform frequency, in combination with a casing member having an annular wall, and a straight resonator rigidly secured over the opening through said wall with its longitudinal at right angles to the plane of the diaphragm and with its opening end parallel thereto. said annular wall being arranged close to but normally out of contact with the central or vibr: ting portions of the diaphragm and forn'iing therewith a thin annular space, the clearance between the diaphragm and easing at points adjacent the central opening being only slightly greater than the maximum amplitude. of the diaphra m vibrations, said opening having an internal diameter more than one-third the diameter of the vibrating portion of the diaphragm, the body portion of said resonator being formed with slightly diverging walls and being relatively short and thick proportionally to the diameter of said opening; together with means for securing said device with the longitudinal axis of said resonator approximately horizontal, for the purpose described.

A signal device comprising a vibratory diaphragm, means for applying power for forcibly vibrating the diaphragm so as to produce a definite note of definite normally uniform frequency, and a casing for the front of the diaphragm having a front wall forming a space in front of the diaphragm and provided with an opening for the sound waves, in combination with a horn or resonator secured around said opening, the resonator being formed toward its open end with a laterally flattened portion having an approximately straight longitudinal axis and terminating in a bell mouth having its lateral diameter less than its vertical diameter and means for securing the device with the said straight axis approximately parallel to the ground and with the greater diameter thereof approximately perpendicular to the ground, for the purpose described.

A signal device comprising a vibratory diaphragm, a rear casing and a front casing formed with cooperating annular surfaces for clamping the diaphragm, said front cusing having an annular front wall formed with an approximately central opening for the escape of the sound waves, arranged close to but normally out of contact with the central or vibratory portions of the diaphragni and forming therewith. an annular space which at points adjacent the central opening thin as compared with the radial width of the annulus, said opening having an internal diameter not than one-third the diameter of the vibrating portion of the diaphragm, in combination with a resonator secured over said opening, said opening and the base of the resonator being circular and substantially concentric with the diaphragm whereby the peripheral boundary of said opening extends opposite substantially equivibratory portions of said diaphragm, the resonator being vertically flared and laterally fiattened toward its open end and terminating in an. oval bell mouth, one of said casings being provided with a bracket extending laterally thereof to a distance greater than the flattened side of the mouth of the resonator and adapted to be secured to a vertical support with the major diameter of the resonator disposed vertically, to-

gether with means for applying power for forcibly vibrating said diaphragm by repeated forcible impacts displacing said diaphragm in a direction toward the front wall of the case, for the purpose described.

4:. A signal device comprising a vibratory diaphragm, a rear casing and a front casing formed with cooperating annular surfaces for clamping the diaphragm, said front casing having an annular front wall formed with an approximately central opening for the escape of the sound waves, arranged close to but normally out of contact with the central or vibratory portions of the diaphragm and forming therewith an annular space which at points adjacent the central opening is thin as compared with the radial width of the annulus, said opening having an internal diameter not less than one-third the diameter of the vibrating portion of the diaphragm, in combination with a resonator secured over said opening, said opening and the base of the resonator being circular and substantially concentric with the diaphragm whereby the peripheral boundary of said opening extends opposite substantially equivibratory portions of said diaphragm, the resonator having its longitudinal axis straight and perpendicular to the plane of the diaphragm and having walls vertically flared and laterally flattened toward its open end and terminating in an oval bell mouth, one of said casings being provided with a bracket extending laterally thereof at right angles to both the longitudinal axis and the major diameter of the resonator and to a distance greater than the flattened side of the mouth of the resonator and adapted to be secured to a vertical support withthe major diameter of the resonator disposed vertically, said device being provided with vertically alined diametrically opposite exit openings communicating respectively with the upper and lower portions of the annular space in front of the diaphragm, for the purpose described.

A diaphragm horn comprising a vibratory diaphragm, means for applying power for forcibly vibrating said diaphragm to produce a definite note of definite normally uniform frequency, a casing for the front of the diaphragm, having a front wall forming a space in front of said diaphragm, and formed with an opening for escape of the sound waves, in combination with a resonator secured over said opening, said opening and the base of the resonator being circular and having an internal diameter approximately one-third to two-thirds that of the vibratory portion of the diaphragm, the resonator being vertically flared and laterally flattened toward its open end, and terminating in a bell mouth having its lateral diameter less than its vertical diameter, and means for securing the device with the greater diameter of the resonator substantially vertical.

6. A diaphragm horn comprising a vibratory diaphragm, means for applying power for forcibly vibrating said diaphragm to produce a definite note of definite normally uniform frequency, a casing for the front of the diaphragm having a front wall approximately parallel with but spaced away from the front face of said diaphragm to form a narrow annular chamber therebetween, and an approximately central opening for escape of the sound waves, in combination with a resonator secured over said opening, said opening and the base of the resonator being circular and concentrio with said diaphragm whereby the edges of said opening are located opposite substantially equivibratory portions of said diaphragm, and the resonator being laterally flattened toward its open end, and means for securing the device with the greater diameter of the resonator substantially vertical.

7. A signal device comprising a resonator formed with a straight, relatively thick and short symmetrical laterally flattened body portion terminating in an oval bell mouth and means for supporting it approximately parallel to the ground and with its major di ameter approximately vertical, in combina tion with a diaphragm for exciting said resonator and means for applying power for forcibly vibrating said diaphragm to produce a definite note of definite normally uniform frequency, for the purpose described.

8. A signaling apparatus adapted for use in exposed situations, said apparatus comprising a vibratory diaphragm, means for repeatedly displacing the central portions of the diaphragm simultaneously in the same direction, a substantially dust tight casing for the rear of said diaphra gm, said casing inclosing said displacing means, a front casing and attached mouth piece for the front of said diaphragm, said latter casing being provided, with a pair of diametrically opposite exit openings adjacent the periphery of the space between said diaphragm and said front casing, in combination with means whereby said signaling device may be secured to a support with either of said exit openings in the lowermost position.

9. In a signaling instrument, the combination of a diaphragm, power driven means for vibrating said diaphragm, a two-part casing comprising a rear section, and a front section, and clamping means for securing the peripheral portions of said diaphragm between the sections of said casing; a mouth piece connected with an approximately central opening through the front section of said casing; a plurality of exit openings in the front section of said casing adjacent the peripheral portions of the cavity formed be tween said diaphragm and said front section of the casing, but distributed in difierent portions circumferentially, so that said instrument may be used in different positions with one or the other of said exit openings in position to drain the lower portion of said cavity in any of said positions.

10. In a signaling instrument, the combination of a diaphragm, power operated means for vibrating the same, a two-part casing comprising a rear section, and a front section, and means for securing the peripheral portions of said diaphragm between the sections of said casing; a mouth piece connected with an approximately central opening through the front section of said casing; a pair of diametrically opposite openings adjacent the periphery of the space between said diaphragm and front section of the casing, so that said instrument may be used with either of said openings in position to permit expulsion of dirt, water, etc., from the lower portion of said cavity when said diaphragm is vibrated.

11. A signaling apparatus comprising a vibratory diaphragm, power driven means for vibrating the same, and a casing co1nprising a rear section and a front section, provided with a mouth piece, said diaphragm being clamped between said sections, one section of said casing being provided with a laterally extending member adapted to be rigidly secured to a vertical support; the front section of said casing being provided with holes at opposite points adjacent the clamped surfaces of the diaphragm, so that at least one of said holes is presented adjacent the lower portion of the space between the diaphragm and the front sect-ion of the case, whichever side of said device is lowermost when the device is secured in operative position by said laterally extending support.

12. A diaphragm actuated horn, comprising a diaphragm, means for actuating the same, and means for securing the device with the diaphragm in an approximately vertical position, in combination with a casing for the air vibrating face of said diaphragm, a resonator secured over an opening in said casing, said resonator being laterally fiattened adjacent the open end thereof, so that its major cross-sectional diameter lies in a vertical plane, the said front casing being provided with exit openings adjacent the top and bottom thereof, whereby one of said exit openings will be presented at the lower portion of the cavity in front of the dia phragm, whichever side up the flattened horn may be secured.

13. In a signaling apparatus, a device comprising a casing having a front wall, and having a laterally extending support member, and a diaphragm and actuating means therefor within said casing, said diaphragm being clamped within said casing near to but spaced away from said front wall and said front wall being provided with holes at opposite points adjacent the clamped surfaces of the diaphragm so that at least one of said holes is presented adjacent the lower portion of the space between said diaphragm and said front wall whichever side of said device is lowermost when the device is secured in operative position by said laterally extending support member.

Signed at New York city, in the county and State of New York, this fourth day of May, A. D. 1909.

MILLER REESE HUTCHISON.

Witnesses:

GEORGE C. DEAN, IRVING M. OBRIEGHT.

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