WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A surface-laminated piezoelectric-film sound transducer, connected for use as a microphone, comprising:
A. a thin film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces,
B. two thin films of conductive material, one of said films of conductive material being affixed to one of said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material in the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate formed of a printed circuit board laminated to the piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers,
D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element and some external point,
E. two water-resistant protection layers sealed around the piezoelectric sandwich element and the substrate laminated thereto for protection of the piezoelectric sandwich element against environmental moisture, F. an impedance matching circuit connected to the two connecting conductors at a point between the two films of conducting material and said external point, and
G. a ground shield to protect the piezoelectric sandwich element and the impedance matching circuit from electromagnetic interference.
2. A surface-laminated piezoelectric-film sound transducer, comprising:
A. a thin film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces, B. two thin films of conductive material, one of said films of conductive material being affixed to tone of said
two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material in the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate formed from a printed circuit board laminated to the piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers, D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element and some external point,
E. two water-resistant protection elements sealed around the sandwich element and the substrate laminated thereto for protection against environmental damage,
F. an impedance matching circuit connected to the two connecting conductors at a point between the two films of conducting material and said external point, and G. a ground shield protecting the piezoelectric sandwich element and the impedance-matching element against high electromagnetic interference.
3. A surface-laminated piezoelectric-film sound transducer, comprising: A. a thin film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces,
B. two thin films of conductive material, one of said films of conductive material being affixed to one of said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material in the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate comprising a printed circuit board laminated to the
piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers, and
D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element and some external point.
4. A surface-laminated piezoelectric-film sound transducer, comprising:
A. a thin film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces,
B. two thin films of conductive material, one of said films of conductive material being affixed to one of said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material in the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate laminated to the piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers,
D. two water-resistant protection layers sealed around the piezoelectric sandwich element and the substrate laminated thereto for protection against environmental moisture, and
E. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element and some external point. 5. A transducer according to Claim 4, wherein the substrate is a printed circuit board.
6. A transducer according to Claim 5, further comprising an impedance matching circuit connected to the two connecting conductors at a point between the two films of conducting material and said external point.
7. A transducer according to Claim 5, wherein the impedance matching circuit is connected to allow use of the transducer as a microphone.
8. A transducer according to Claim 5, wherein the piezoelectric sandwich element and the impedance matching element are shielded by a ground shield to protect against high electromagnetic interference.
9. A surface-laminated piezoelectric-film sound transducer, comprising: A. a thin film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces,
B. two thin films of conductive material, one of said films of conductive material being affixed to one of said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material in the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate laminated to the piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers .
D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element and some external point,
E. means for protecting the piezoelectric sandwich element from the intrusion of ambient moisture, and
F. means for holding the transducer in tight contact with the body of a living being, whereby the transducer operates as a microphone to pick up sounds made by said living being.
10. A surface-laminated piezoelectric-film sound transducer, comprising: A. a thin film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces.
B. two thin films of conductive material, one of said films of conductive material being affixed to one of said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material in the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate laminated to the piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers,
D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element and some external point,
E. means for protecting the piezoelectric sandwich element from the intrusion of ambient moisture, and
F. means for holding the transducer in a pressure field surrounding the mouth of a human speaker, whereby the transducer operates as a microphone to pick up sounds made by said speaker.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 10 August 1999 (10.08.99); original claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 amended; remaining claims unchanged (5 pages)]
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A surface-laminated piezoelectric- film sounc transducer, connected for use as a micropnone, comprising:
A. a thin moldable film of piezoelectric material 5 having two opposite faces,
B. two thin films of conductive material, one cf said films of conductive material being affixed to one cf said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces,
10 tnereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material m tne middle and tne two thin films of conductive material on the outsiαe,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate formed of a printed circuit board laminated to the
15 piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers,
D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element and some
20 external point,
E. two water-resistant protection layers sealeα arounc tne piezoelectric sandwich element and tne substrate laminated thereto for protection of the piezoelectric sandwich element against environmental moisture,
25 F. an impedance matching circuit connected to the two connecting conductors at a point between the two films of conducting material and said external point, and
G. a ground shield to protect the piezoelectric sandwich element and the impeαance matching circuit from 30 electromagnetic interference.
2. A surface-laminated piezoelectr c- urn sounα transducer, comprising:
A. a thin moldable f lm of piezoelectric material r.avmg two opposite faces, 35 E. two tr.in films of conductive materia^, oτ)e cf saiα fii s cf conductive material neinc affixec tc tone cr sa c
AMENDED SHEET {ARTICLE 19)
two opposite faces ana another of said fi± s of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sanαwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material in the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate formed from a printed circuit board laminated to the piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers, D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwicn element and some external point,
E. two water-resistant protection elements sealed around the sandwich element and the substrate laminated thereto for protection against environmental damage,
F. an impedance matching circuit connected to the two connecting conductors at a point between the two films of conducting material and said external point, and G. a ground shield protecting the piezoelectric sandwich element and the impedance-matching element against high electromagnetic interference.
3. A surface-laminated piezoelectric-fllm sound transducer, comprising: A. a thin moldable film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces,
B. two thin films of conductive material, one of said films of conductive material being affixed to one of said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material in the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a soiiα, flat, substantially inflexible substrate comprising a printed circuit board laminated to the
AMENDED SHEET (ARTOU 18)
piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers, and
D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element ana sortie external point.
4. A surface-laminated piezoelectπc-fllm sounα transducer, comprising:
A. a thin moldable film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces,
B. two thin films of conαuctive material, one or said films of conductive material being affixed to one of said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material in the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate laminated to the piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers,
D. two water-resistant protection layers sealeα around the piezoelectric sandwich element and the substrate laminated thereto for protection against environmental moisture, and
E. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element ana some external point.
5. A transducer according to Claim 4, wherein the substrate is a printed circuit board.
6. A transducer according to Claim 5, further comprising an impedance matching circuit connected to the two connecting conαuctors at a point between tne tvo fil s cf conducting material and said external point.
AMENDED SHEET {ARTϊGtf 18)
7. A transducer according to Claim 5, wherein the impedance matching circuit is connected to allow use of the transducer as a microphone.
8. A transducer according to Claim 5, wnerem the piezoelectric sandwich element and the impedance matching element are shielded by a ground shield to protect against high electromagnetic interference.
9. A surface-laminated piezoelectric-fllm sound transducer, comprising: A. a thin moldable film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces,
B. two thin films of conductive material, one of said films of conductive material being affixed to one of said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material m the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate laminated to the piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers .
D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element and some external point,
E. means for protecting the piezoelectric sandwich element from the intrusion of ambient moisture, and
F. means for holding the transducer in tight contact with the body of a living being, whereby the transducer operates as a microphone to pick up sounds made by said living being.
10. A surface-laminated piezoelectnc-fllm sound transαucer, comprising: A. a thin moldable film of piezoelectric material having two opposite faces,
AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 18)
B. two thin films of conductive material, one cf saic films of conductive material being affixed to one of said two opposite faces and another of said films of conductive material being affixed to another of said two opposite faces, thereby forming a piezoelectric sandwich element with the thin film of piezoelectric material m the middle and the two thin films of conductive material on the outside,
C. a solid, flat, substantially inflexible substrate laminated to the piezoelectric sandwich element along substantially the entire surface of one of the two conductive layers,
D. two connecting conductors connected to the two films of conductive material for conducting an electrical signal between the piezoelectric sandwich element and some external point,
E. means for protecting the piezoelectric sandwich element from the intrusion of ambient moisture, and
F. means for holding the transducer in a pressure field surrounding the mouth of a human speaker, whereby the transducer operates as a microphone to pick up sounds made by said speaker.
AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 18)
STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 (1)
Pursuant to Article 19, Applicant Global Marketing Development, Inc. hereby amends the application by amending the Claims. Replacement pages 8-12 are attached hereto. This Amendment is being filed within two months from the mailing of the International Search Report of 14 June, 1999.
Amended independent Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 now recite that the thin film of piezoelectric material is moldable, a feature not shown in rigid, crystalline prior art piezoelectric materials. Claims 5, 6, 7, and 8 are unchanged.
First, consider the title of the above application, i.e., "Surface-Laminated Piezoelectric Film Sound Transducer". It basically deals with the use of polyvinylidene flouride (PVDF) film with a membrane thickness of the order of 15 microns in a non- traditional fashion as a microphone (or loudspeaker). The present invention uses the moldable piezoelectric film in a fashion similar to the mounting of piezoelectric crystals which are much thicker and uses techniques to enhance the sound pickup such as by
using a larger area, putting the microphone in a pressure-field environment, and/or putting the microphone into direct contact with the sound source. Since the piezoelectric material (PVDF) of the present invention is moldable, these techniques are conformable to uses such as a contact microphone or one molded into the housing of an oral-nasal mask. The single stage of JFET amplifier is used for matching the inherently high impedance of the PVDF film to the output to enhance the signal to noise ratio.
The present invention does not require the attachment of a heavy mass to operate. The JFET used in the present invention improves signal to noise problems. With the design of the present invention, the JFET provides amplification which eliminates the RF interference.
In the present application, hydrophobic layers 16 and 14 are used to permit use as a microphone in a pressure field or to permit attachment to a strap as a contact microphone. Again, the present invention uses a thin film 2.
The present invention does not need partitioning of conductive layers. The use of JFET 20 and resistor 24 as an impedance matching amplifier in the present invention, is used to convey speech sounds from a microphone.
Instead of using cited piezo electric crystals which are rigid and thick, the present invention uses PVDF, which is thin and moldable. The present invention describes a microphone technology using an on-board impedance matching amplifier using a JFET, which has hydrophobic epoxy layers or a ground shield or printed circuit board elements.
Therefore the Claims as amended are both novel and do contain an inventive step.