US3798374A

US3798374A - Sound reproducing system utilizing motional feedback

Info

Publication number: US3798374A
Application number: US00240495A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Meyers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-04-03
Filing date: 1972-04-03
Publication date: 1974-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-19

Abstract

A sound reproducing system utilizes motional feedback to reduce loudspeaker distortion and to extend the loudspeaker''s frequency response. The system substantially comprises an amplifier which is jointly responsive to the input source signal and to a feedback signal, a moving-coil loudspeaker including a main electromagnetic structure which is responsive to the amplifier''s output signal for effecting axial speaker-cone motion, motional sensing means for providing a signal which is functionally related to axial cone velocity, and an equalizer exhibiting a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency characteristic and which is responsive to the motional signal for providing the feedback signal. The feedback signal is degeneratively applied to the amplifier which, in turn, forces the loudspeaker to respond linearly to the input source signal and thereby provide a uniform sound energy output. It is a feature of the present invention that the loudspeaker cone exhibits a substantially constant acceleration at low frequencies and a substantially constant velocity at higher frequencies.

Description

Meyers [111 1 3,798,374 [4.51 Mar. '19, 1974 SOUND REPRODUCING SYSTEM UTILIZING MOTIONAL FEEDBACK 879,560 7/1949 Germany l79/l F Primary Examinerl(athleen H. Claffy [75] Inventor: i Thayer Meyers Bank Assistant Examiner-Jon Bradford Leaheey Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rene Oliveras [73] Assignee: Rene Oliver-as, Madison, NJ. a

. partinterest [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed. 3 1972 A sound reproducing system utilizes motional feedback to reduce loudspeaker distortion and to extend PP 240,495 the loudspeakers frequency response. The system substantially comprises-an amplifier which is jointly 52 us. 01. 179/1 F responsive to the input Source signal and to a feed- 51 Int. Cl H04r 3/04 back Signal, a moving-coil loudspeaker including a [58] Field f Search 179/1 1 330/109, main electromagnetic structure which is responsive to 330/110; 333/28 T the amplifiers output signal for effecting axial speaker-cone motion, motional sensing means for providing [56] References Cited a signal which is functionally related to axial cone ve- UNITED STATES PATENTS locity, and an equalizer exhibiting a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency characteristic g g i g and which is responsive to the motional signal for pro- 284l648 7/1958 a a 179 F viding the feedback signal. The feedback signal is de- 3'O57'96 3/1962 zjj 1.19/1 F generatively applied to the amplifier which, in turn, 3:O09:99l I 1/l961 Bekey u 179 F forces the loudspeaker to respond linearly to the input 3.] 18,972 7/1964 Walczak 179 1 F source signal and thereby provide a uniform sound en- 2.860.18 3 11/1958 Conrad... 179/1 F ergy output. It is a feature of the present invention 2,887,532 /1959 Werner 179/1 F that the loudspeaker cone exhibits a substantially con- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS stant acceleration at low frequencies and a substan- 283 405 "966 Australia 179 F tially constant velocity at higher frequencies. 659:066 /1951 Great Britain 179/1 F 16 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 1 r no AMPL. FILTER 20 '30 4 9'] INPUT SIGNAL SOURCE AMPL.

EQUALIZER PAIENTEUHAR 19 B74 SHEEI 1 OF 5 I PATENTED MAR I 9 I974 RELATIVE VELOCITY RESPONSE DB 3.798.374 SHEET 2 OF 5 T FIG. 2

R=EFFECT|VE CONE RADIUSUNCHES) F=FREQUENCY (KH (CONSTANT VELOCITY 0 DB/ OCTAVE) T l N ONSTANT ACCELERATION l *6 DB/OCTAVE) llllllll I llllllll il llllll|| 0.] L0 L48 P=O.476R1 T FIG. 3 P=0.476Rf 0.! L0 L48 IO lllll l lTlll l I] llllllll ill (0 DB/OCTAVE) (6 DB/OCTAVE) PAIENIEnm t 9 m4 RELATIVE VELOCITY RESPONSE DB RELATIVE OUTPUT POWER DB SHEET 3 BF 5 FIG. 4A

R= 3 INCHES l l l I ll L000 FREQUENCY H FIG. 4B

R= 3 INCHES lopoo |,ooo FREQUENCY -HZ FIG. 6A-

I 'i'lnma FIG. 6B

FIG. 5

PAIENIEIIIIIR I 9 I914 3798.374

sum (If 5 F/G. 7A

I AQV INPUT e0 SIGNAL 7 SOURCE MPL. 59/

EQUALIZER AMPL. FILTER Z {20 [3O i1 INPUT SIGNAL 60 SOURCE AMPL.

I EQUALIZER FIG. 7C

INPUT SIGNAL SOURCE EQUALI ZER AMPL.

EQUALIZER SOUND REPRODUCING SYSTEM UTILIZING MOTIONAL FEEDBACK FIELD OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Several prior art sound reproducing systems have included the loudspeaker in a feedback path for reducing loudspeaker distortion, for extending the loudsp eakers frequency response, and for allowing the utilization of smaller acoustic enclosures. Such prior art systems, especially'those which include means for magnetically sensing the axial motion' of the associated speakercone, have considered neither the detrimental effects due to electrical interference from the loudspeakers main electromagnetic structure nor the proper frequency shaping of the motional signal to cause the loudspeaker to respond linearly to the input source signal. Further, none of these prior art motional feedback systems have effectivelycompensated for inherent amplifier gain limitations.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to utilize motional feedback in a sound reproducing system for reducing loudspeaker distortion.

It is another object of this invention to utilize motional feedback in a sound reproducing system for linearly extending the associated loudspeaker s frequency response.

It is a further object of this invention to utilize motional feedback in a sound reproducing system having relatively small loudspeaker enclosures.

It is still a further object of this invention to reduce electrical interference applied to the motional sensing means by the loudspeakers main electromagnetic structure.

It is a still further object of this invention to utilize a motional sensing means which is substantially free of electrical interference .from the associated loudspeakers main electromagnetic structure.

. his a still further object of this invention to properly shape the motional signal so that the loudspeaker responds linearly to the input source signal.

It is a still further object of this invention to compensate for inherent amplifier gain limitations in a sound reproducing system which utilizes motional feedback.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a sound reproducing system utilizing motional feedback to reduce loudspeaker distortion substantially comprises an amplifier which is jointly responsive to the input source signal and to a feedback signal, a moving-coil loudspeaker including a main electromagnetic structure which is responsive to the amplifiers output signal for effecting axial speaker-cone motion, motional sensing means for providing a signal which is functionally related to axial cone velocity, and an equalizer exhibiting a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency characteristic and which is responsive to the motional signal for providing the feedback signal. The feedback signal is degeneratively applied to the amplifier which, in turn, forces the loudspeaker to respond the motional sensing means is either of the type which is integral with the loudspeaker structure or of the type which is attached as an applique to a pre-existing conventional loudspeaker structure.'

It is an advantage of the present invention that relatively small loudspeaker enclosures can be utilized.

It is another advantage of this invention that loudspeaker diaphragm performance is substantially. independent of enclosure characteristics.

' It is a further advantage of this invention that the m0- tional sensing means can be used in conjunction with conventional loudspeakers as an applique and in specially built speakers which include the motional sensing means built integrally therewith.

It is a feature of the present invention that the loudspeaker produces a substantially uniform sound energy output.

It is another feature of this invention that the motional signal is properly shaped and thereafter degeneratively applied to the amplifier to force the loudspeaker to respond linearly to the input source signal.

It is a further feature of this invention that the loudspeaker cone exhibits a unique axial-velocity characteristic.

It is a still further feature of this invention that the equalizer characteristic modifies the loudspeakers response throughout the frequency domain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be better appreciated by a consideration of the following detailed description and the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sound reproducing system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an ideal velocity characteristic according to the present invention whereby the loud-speaker produces a substantially uniform sound-energy output;

FIG. 3 shows an equalizer attenuation characteristic according to the present invention used to shape the motional signal to provide the feedback signal;

FIG. 4A shows actual loudspeaker velocity characteristics for the cases wherein no feedback is used and wherein feedback'is used according to the present invention, while FIG. 4B shows the corresponding sound energy output versus frequency curves FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a motional sensing means similar to the one shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate two further embodiments of motional sensing means which are particularly adaptable to applique techniques; and

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate various configurations which include the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, there is shown sound reproducing system according to the present invention generally comprising power amplifier circuit 30, loudspeaker 40, and equalizer circuit 70. Loudspeaker 40, which in this case is advantageously of the moving-coil type, further comprises cone or diaphragm 41, main electromagnetic structure 50, and cone motion sensing means 60. It should be noted, however, that the teaching of the present invention can be applied to any type of loudspeaker which includes relative moving parts to produce an acoustic output; for instance, a loudspeaker of the electrostatic type can be utilized. In system 10, input signal Es from source is applied via lines 91 and 92 to amplifier while output signal Ea of amplifier 30 is applied via

lines

93 and 94 to loudspeaker 40. In conventional manner, main electromagnetic structure 50 responds to amplifier signal Ea to cause axial motion of cone 41.

According to the present invention, sensing means 60 responds to the motion of cone 41 near its apex to provide motional signal Ev; this signal is functionally related to the axial velocity of the cone and therefore simultaneously indicates the distortion components radiated thereby. In this case, cone 41 is advantageously chosen to move substantially as a rigid piston so that motional signal Ev reflects the true sound energy output thereof. Motional signal Ev is then applied via

lines

95 and 96 to linear gain amplifier 80 to produce amplified motional signal E which, in turn, is applied via lines 95' and 96 to equalizer circuit 70 to produce feedback signal Ef. Equalizer circuit 70 exhibits a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency characteristic which will be discussed in detail hereinafter. Finally, feedback signal Ef is degeneratively applied via lines 97 and 98 to amplifier 30 whereby loudspeaker is forced to respond linearly to input source signal Es.

In light of the above, the application of feedback signal Ef to the amplifier 30 causes the cones motion to be under the exclusive control of input source signal Es. Therefore, by choosing an appropriate equalizer characteristic, the speakers sound energy output, i.e., its frequency response, can easily be controlled. Generally. the equalizer characteristic is chosen so that cone 41 exhibits a predetermined axial velocity versus frequency characteristic, to be further discussed hereinafter. which, in effect, causes loudspeaker 40 to radiate a substantially uniform sound energy output. This, of course. reduces the harmful effects caused by loudspeaker distortion.

In FIG. 2, there is shown according to the present invention the ideal velocity versus frequency characteristic which cone 41 must exhibit in order to provide a substantially uniform sound energy output over the frequency band of interest. In the FIG., relative axial cone velocity in decibels (dB) is plotted as a function of parameter p, which is defined by 0.476Rf, where R is the effective cone radius in inches andfis the operating frequency in KHz. In conventional manner, effective cone radius is defined as the maximum distance from the axis of the cone to that part of the rim that moves essentially as a rigid continuation of the cone. This ideal velocity characteristic is shown by the solid curve and can be theoretically defined by a characteristic which is the inverse of the radiation resistance as expressed theoretically by well-known relationships involving Bessel functions. This, in part, explains the oscillatory portions of the curve above p 1.5. As is apparent from this FIG., the ideal velocity characteristic can be approximated by a first straight line having a slope of 6 db/octave and by a second straight line having a slope of O db/octave. these two lines intersecting at p z 1.5. In light thereof. it is apparent that at low frequencies the cone must exhibit a substantially constant acceleration; whereas at higher frequencies the cone must exhibit a substantially constant velocity. As noted above, the nominal breakpoint between the low and high frequency regions occurs at p 1.5. This point occurs where the operating frequency is equal to about three times the reciprocal of the effective cone radius. From the control viewpoint, therefore, the cone is forced to exhibit a substantially constant acceleration at relatively low frequencies and a substantially constant velocity at relatively high frequencies, the nominal breakpoint dividing these two frequency regions being located at p 1.5.

In FIG. 3, there are shown ideal and actual equalizer characteristics which force speaker 40, when respectively driven by ideal and practicable amplifiers, to substantially exhibit the ideal velocity characteristic of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, attenuation in dB is plotted as a function ofp 0.476 Rf, as defined before. In the region where p is less than 1.5, the ideal characteristic is shown by the dashed line while the actual characteristic is shown by the solid curve. Above p 1.5, the actual and ideal characteristics are substantially coincident; therefore, only the actual characteristic is shown. It is apparent that the ideal characteristic is approximated by a first straight line having a +6 dB/octave slope and by a second straight line having a O dB/octave slope, the two lines intersecting where p 1.5. According to the present invention, the actual attenuation characteristic deviates from the ideal characteristic, especially at low frequencies, to provide a relatively lower-attenuation effect. In other words, the actual characteristic comprises a concave upward portion over the low frequency region at its left end and a nearly +6 dB/octave slope at its center; the actual characteristic further comprises a concave downward portion over the higher frequencies which asymptotically approaches a 0 dB/octave slope at its right end. The actual characteristic is necessary in order to compensate for amplifier feedback-gain limitations at low frequencies and for air loading of the diaphragm at high frequencies. Otherwise, if equalizer provided the ideal characteristic at low frequencies, instead of the actual characteristic, then amplifier 30 would have to provide exceedingly high gain at these low frequencies. It appears that the ideal equalizer characteristic is a reflected image of the ideal velocity characteristic while the actual equalizer characteristic is a distorted reflected image of the ideal velocity characteristic.

As is shown inFlG. 1, equalizer circuit 70 includes resistors R71 and R72 and capacitors C73 and C74. E1- ements R71 and C73 in combination substantially provide the ideal characteristic of FIG. 3 at low and high frequencies; however, elements R72 and C74 in combination are added to modify the otherwise ideal characteristic at the low frequency end thereby yielding the actual characteristic (solid curve) of FIG. 3. In this particular embodiment, the values of R71, R72, C73 and C74 are 470 ohms, 33 Kohms, 0.25 uf and 0.1 uf, respectively.

In FIG. 4A, there are shown actual cone velocity curves A and B for system 10 of FIG. 1, wherein speaker 40 has an effective cone radius of 3 inches and 'the associated enclosure has a volume of 1.2 cubic feet.

Curve A corresponds to the case without motional feedback. while curve B corresponds to the case including motional feedback according to the present invention, the above-described equalizer circuit being utilized. Again, the intersecting straight line approximation to the ideal velocity curve is shown. It is apparent that above p 1.5 (corresponding to f= 1.1 KHz) there occurs a substantially constant velocity region; whereas below p 1.5 there occurs a substantially constant acceleration region. as explained before. It is apparent that the natural speaker-cone resonance has been reduced from its initial value of 100 Hz for the case without feedback to a value of approximately Hz for the case with feedback. If necessary, more elaborate equalizer circuitry than that used herein could be utilized to yield a closer approximation to the ideal velocity curve. as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. e

In FIG. 4B, conventional sound amplitude or energy versus frequency curves corresponding to the velocity curves of FIG. 4A areshown. curves A and B, respectively. corresponding to curves A and B of FIG. 4A. The present curves are derived' from the previous curves by using well known acousto-mechanical relationships. such as discussed in standard texts on direct radiator loudspeakers. From FIG. 4B, it is apparent that the overall speaker-frequency response has been substantially improved, especially at the lower and upper ends of the applicable frequency spectrum. It is therefore apparent that a small diameter speaker with feedback can replace a large diameter speaker without feedback and yet provide similar acoustic performance.v Similar reasoning applies to replacing a large number of required identical speakers not utilizing feedback with a smaller number-of identical speakers which utilize feedback and still provide comparable performance. 1 I 1 Reference again to FIG. 1 shows power amplifier circuit further includes high-gain operational amplifier 31 having its non-inverting and inverting input terminals. respectively, connected to line 91 and, via resistor R32, to line 97. The non-inverting input terminal receives input source signal Es and is connected via resistor R33 to ground 99. The output terminal of amplifier 31-is connected via resistor R36 to the base of transistor T38. Capacitor C37 is connected between the base of T38 and ground 99 to improve stability with feedback. Push-pull output stage 102, including transistors T103 and T104, is driven .by the emitter of transistor T38. The emitters of this output stage are jointly connected to output line 93. Diode D105 couples the bases of transistors T103 and T104 in order to compensate for any inherent joint base-emitter offset voltage. This minimizes breaks in signal continuity in amplifier output signal Ea when both these transistors are off during periods of input signal transitions. Resistor R106, which connects the base of transistor T104 to negative voltage supply -V. provides for maximum base current and thus for peak signal drive in the negative direction.

In FIG. 1, net internal feedback is provided via resistors R107 and R32. The latter is in series with the output impedance of equalizer circuit 70, which is relatively small. Feedback via resistor R107 provides dc feedback which minimizes dc offset in the output of amplifier 30. so that the rest position of voice coil 55 is displaced as little as possible. The ac part of the feedback via R107 is combined with the equalizedmotional feedback component Ef from equalizer 70 via R32 to yield a net ac negative feedback component to the inverting input of operational amplifier 31. In this case, for ac control of speaker 40, the ac motional feedback component should predominate. Distortion normally inherent to amplifier circuit 30 is substantially reduced, since the amplifier, in response to feedback signal Ef on line 97, is forced to exhibit a gain versus frequency characteristic which causes loudspeaker 40 to respond linearly to input source signal Es. Regardless of the particular design of amplifier circuit 30, the fact that main voice-coil 55 is a current sensitive device should always be taken into account.

As mentioned before. loudspeaker 40 includes cone 41, main electromagnetic structure 50,-and motional sensing means 60, which, in this embodiment, is built integrally with the speaker. In FIG. 1, the horizontal direction corresponds to the speakers axial direction. Main electromagnetic structure 50, which is rigidly secured to speaker frame or housing or chassis 42, further includes cup-shaped iron outer pole piece 51, solid cylindrical permanent magnet 52, solid cylindrical iron inner pole piece 53, and main voice coil 55 would on the rearward end of substantially rigid. thin cylindrical bobbin 54. Bobbin 54, in turn, is mechanically connected to the rearward end or apex portion of cone 41. In this particular embodiment, the axial length of main voice coil 55 is advantageously made substantially longer than the axial length of its associated magnetic air gap in order to assure substantially uniform coil reaction in the gap'field over large excursions. This field s path is shown by the arrows. In conventional manner, structure 50 responds to amplifier output signal Ea to cause axial motion of main voice coil 55, the opposite ends of the coil being connected to

lines

93 and 94. This. in turn, causes axial motion of cone 41 viabobbin 54. Axial motion of the cone is stabilized and radial motion thereof is suppressed by flexible centering suspensions or webs 43 and 44 (compliant annulli). The rearward and forward portions of cone 41 are rigidly attached to the inner peripheries of webs 44 and 43, respectively, while the outer periphery of each web is secured to frame 42. In this embodiment, line 94 is grounded,'thereby making amplifier circuit 30 direct current coupled to loudspeaker 40.

Reference again to FIG. 1 shows motional sensing means 60 further includes cup-shaped iron outer pole piece 61, ring 64, solid cylindrical permanent magnet 62, solid cylindrical iron inner pole piece 63, solid cylindrical member 66, and feedback coil 65 wound on the forward end of bobbin 54. Ring 64 and member 66 are advantageously made of a nonmagnetic metal of good electrical conductivity such as copper, aluminum. etc., to minimize

leakage interference elements

64 and 66 are shown in detail in FIG. 5. The electrical conductivity of member 66 causes the production of eddy currents which tend to counteract and substantially compensate for the interfering electrical fields produced by main electromagnetic structure 50. Further electrical interference compensation is effected by short circuiting ring 64. (It is apparent that member 66 mechanically interconnects inner pole piece 53 of main electromagnetic structure 50 and inner pole piece 63 of motional sensing means 60.) The inner diameter of ring 64 is advantageously made as small as possible without interfering with the motion of feedback coil 65. In other words, ring 64 and member 66 assure electrical isolation between structure 50 and sensing means 60. As before, the axial length of feedback coil 65 is advantageously made substantially longer than the axial length of its associated gap in order to assure that the coil always moves within a substantially uniform magnetic flux. It is apparent, however, that while main voice coil 55 and feedback coil 65 are mechanically coupled via common bobbin 54, they are electrically independent of each other. This is due in part to the presence of ring 64 and member 66. Therefore, the axial motion imparted to cone 4l'by structure 50 is also imparted to feedback coil 65. In turn, feedback coil 65 interacts with the magnetic field produced by associated magnet 62 to produce motional signal Ev. This signal is produced across the opposite ends of feedback coil 65 which connect to

lines

95 and 96, line 96 being grounded in this embodiment. In a manner similar to that discussed above, the flux within the gap is produced by

pole pieces

61 and 63. Again, the path of the associated magnetic flux is shown by the dashed line. According to the present invention,

elements

61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 53, 52, and 51 can advantageously be secured by adhesive means.

Motional signal Ev, which is functionally related to the axial velocity of cone 41 and which indicates the sound energy output of loudspeaker 40, is applied via input resistor R81 to the non-inverting input of operational amplifier 81. Amplifier circuit 80 is inserted into the feedback path in order to linearly compensate for the low level of Ev and the attenuating effect occuring thereafter at equalizer circuit 70. This, of course, guarantees the application of reasonable feedback signal levels to amplifier 30. In addition, this allows the use of finer wire and fewer turns in the construction of feed back coil 65 and minimizes the magnitude of the required magnetic flux to be provided by magnet 62. The inverting input of operational amplifier 81 is grounded via resistor R82 while negative feedback is applied to the amplifier via resistor R83. The operation of amplifier circuit 80 is well understood by those skilled in the art.

Amplified signal E. which is linearly proportional to motional signal Ev, is now applied via lines 95' and 96' to equalizer circuit 70, line 96' beingconnected to ground 99. Thereafter, output signal Ef of equalizer circuit 70 is degeneratively applied to amplifier circuit 30; in this embodiment. the feedback signal is applied to the inverting input of operational amplifier 31 via resistor R32. Thus, amplified motional signal E is shaped by equalizer 70 to yield feedback signal Ef, which, in turn, forces loudspeaker 40 to exhibit the ideal velocity characteristic of FIG. 2.

In reference now to FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment of a motional sensing means which is built integrally with its associated speaker. In this case, the permanent magnet is one-half of a hollow toroid rather than a solid cylinder while the outer pole piece is a hollow cylinder rather than cup-shaped. Again, ring 64 and member 66 are included to electrically isolate the feedback coil from the speakers main electromagnetic structure. Herein, the magnet's inner and outer poles are circular annulli of approximately equal crosssectional area.

In FIGS. 6B and 6A, there are respectively shown motional sensing means which are similar to those already discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 and but which are adapted to be attached to a preexisting conventional speaker as an applique. In these structures. the connecting members are advantageously made of two portions; one portion being initially secured to the pre-existing inner pole piece of the speakers main electromagnetic structure by adhesive means while the sec- 0nd portion and the remaining elements of the motional sensing means are thereafter attached to the first portion via an associated threaded member. The whole structure is ultimately secured via a locknut. In addition to having a connecting member which includes two connecting sections, the present structures include a separate bobbin piece which is centered via its own associated web. The connection of the new bobbin piece to the pre-existing cone and the mechanical connection of the elements required in the applique device will not be further discussed herein.

With reference to multiple enclosure sound reproducing systems, it is apparent that the main electromagnetic loudspeaker structures varying characteristics may result in non-uniform response of their associated cones. The utilization of motional feedback according to the present invention reduces these differences in resulting cone motion. Therefore, by carefully controlling the manufacture of the motional sensing means and the associated equalizer circuit within reasonable bounds, performance differences from enclosure to enclosure, which would otherwise occur, are substantially eliminated.

The broad advantages and features of a sound reproducing system according to the present invention have already been discussed. As may be seen in FIG. 7A, one specific application of the invention is shown wherein common power amplifier circuit 30 responds to source 20 to drive a plurality of

identical loudspeakers

40, 40, and 40 having identical frequency amplitude and distortion characteristics. However, only speaker 40 contains a motional sensing means 60 which provides a motional signal to its associated equalizer 70. The equalizer, of course, provides the feedback signal to amplifier 30. This configuration is inherently economical since only one feedback loop, providing the necessary compensation, is required to drive more than one speaker. Another specific application is shown in FIG. 7B wherein amplifier 30 responds to source 20 to drive speaker 40. Associated with speaker 40 are motional sensing means 60 and equalizer which in combination provide a feedback signal to the amplifier. Also included is separate and independent amplifier 30 which responds to source 20 to drive speaker 40' via filter In this case, motional feedback is utilized to drive speaker 40 over a first frequency range while speaker 40 is driven over a complementary frequency range which is determined by filter 1 10'.

Speakers

40 and 40 are notnecessarily identical. Finally, in FIG. 7C, two independent motional feedback circuits are shown. In the first circuit, amplifier 30 responds to source 20 via filter 110 to drive speaker 40. Speaker 40 further includes motional sensing means 60. As before, equalizer 70 provides a feedback signal to amplifier 30. In the second circuit, amplifier 30 responds to source 20 via filter 110 to drive speaker 40. Associated with speaker 40' are motional sensing means 60' and equalizer 70' which, in combination, provide a feedback signal to the amplifier. In this case, filters 110 and 110 are chosen so that speakers 40 and 40' operate in complementary or nonoverlapping frequency regions. In

the above and other examples which utilize motional feedback according to the present invention, speakers capable of large cone excursions, such as that described by R. T. Bozak in his US. Pat. No. 3,436,494 are recommended.

In a sound reproducing system according to the present invention, as in any conventional sound reproducing system of the prior art. the required loudspeakers are chosen to fit the particular application. In other words, the loudspeaker should be substantially capable of performing at low or high frequencies, as the case may be. For instance. the loudspeaker should initially be chosen of the appropriate cone size so that rigid cone motion results in the frequency range of interest. This. of course, results in improved loudspeaker performance. especially at the low frequencies. The loudspeaker is also chosen so that high frequency beaming I and low frequency Doppler distortion are minimal. Further, well known enclosure design and multispeaker system design techniques should be considered. These considerations, of course, will be apparent to those skilled-in the art inasmuch as such considerations need be taken into account in the design of almost any sound reproducing system and not just in the design of a sound reproducing system according to the present invention.

While the arrangement according to the present invention utilizing motional feedback in a sound reproducing system 'has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art. that many modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the disclosed principle.

What is claimed is:

l. A sound reproducing system comprising:

first amplifying means jointly responsive to a source signal and to a first feedback signal;

first sound energy producing means responsive to said first amplifying means;

first means for sensing the sound energy output of said first producing'means; and first equalizing means exhibiting a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency timesa constant characteristic and being responsive to said first sensing means for providing said first feedback signal, said characteristic having a positive slope over the lower portion of a first frequency range and a zero slope over the rest of said first frequency range;

whereby said first sound energy producing means radiates a substantially uniform sound energy output over said first frequency range.

2. The sound reproducing system of claim 1 wherein said first sound energy producing means is a loudspeaker of the moving-coil type including a cone and a voice coil. said voice coil responding to said first amplifying means for axially driving said cone; and said first sensing means responds to the motion imparted to said cone by said voice coil.

3. The sound reproducing system of claim 2 wherein said first sensing means responds to the axial velocity imparted to said cone by said voice coil.

4. The sound reproducing system of claim 3 wherein said first sensing means includes a coil which is mechanically coupled to said cone and which interacts with an associated magnetic field to produce an electrical signal which is functionally related to the axial velocity imparted to said cone by said voice coil.

5. The sound reproducing system of claim 2 wherein said cone exhibits a velocity versus frequency characteristic which is substantially approximated by a first straight line having a slope of 6 db/octave and'bya second straight line having a slope of 0 db/octave, said lines intersecting where 0.476 'Rf is approximately equal to 1.5, R being the effective radius of said loudspeaker cone and f the operating frequency thereof.

6. The sound reproducing system of claim 4 further including:

in associationwith said voice coil, a first permanent magnet, a first inner pole piece, and a first outer pole piece, which in combination form the main electromagnetic structure of said loudspeaker;

in association with said sensing coil. a second permanent magnet, a second inner pole piece. and a second outer pole piece, which in combination form said motional sensing means; and an appropriately shaped non-magnetic electrically conductive metallic member which is rigidly attached to said second outer pole piece and which is located between said second outer pole piece and said main electromagnetic structure.

7. The sound reproducing system of claim 4 further including:

in association with said voice coil, a first permanent magnet, a first inner pole piece, and a first outer pole piece, which in combination form the main electromagnetic structure of said loudspeaker;

in association with said sensing coil, a second permanent magnet, a second inner pole piece, and a second outer pole piece, which in combination form said motional sensing means; and

an appropriately shaped non-magnetic, electrically conductive metallic member mechanically securing said second inner pole piece to said first inner pole piece.

8. The sound reproducing system of claim 2 wherein said cone exhibits a substantially constant acceleration over a low frequency region and a substantially constant velocity over a high frequency region, said regions meeting where 0.476 Rf is approximately equal to 1.5,

R being the effective radius of said loudspeaker cone and f the operating frequency thereof.

9. The sound reproducing system of claim 1 wherein said first sound energy producing means is a loudspeaker of the electrostatic type.

10. The sound reproducing system of claim 1 also comprising linear amplifying means serially interposed between said first sensing means and said first equalizing means.

, 11. The sound reproducing system of claim 2 wherein said first equalizing means exhibits an attenuation versus frequency characteristic which is substantially approximated by a first straight line having a slope of +6 db/octave and by a second straight line having a slope of O db/octave, said lines intersecting where 0.476 Rf is approximately equal to 1.5. R being the effective radius of said loudspeaker cone and f the operating frequency thereof.

12. The sound reproducing system of claim 2 wherein said first equalizing means exhibits an attenuation versus frequency characteristic which is substantially approximated by a curve which is concave upward at its lower end and is concave downward at its upper end with an intervening slope approaching 6 db/octave and an ultimate slope at the upper end approaching db/octave.

13. The sound reproducing system of claim 1 further comprising: second amplifying means responsive, to said source signal; filtering means responsive to said second amplifying means; and second sound energy producing means responsive to said filtering means.

14. The sound reproducing system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of identical sound energy producing means which are responsive to said first amplifying means and which are identical to said first sound energy producing means.

15. The sound reproducing system of claim 1 further comprising:

second amplifying means jointly responsive to said source signal and to a second feedback signal; second sound energy producing means responsive to said second amplifying means; second means for sensing the sound energy output of said second sound energy producing means; and second equalizing means exhibiting a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency characteristic and being responsive to said second sensing means for providing said second feedback signal, whereby said second sound energy producing means radiates a substantially uniform sound energy output over a frequency range which does not overlap with said first frequency-range.

16. A sound reproducing system comprising:

an amplifier jointly responsive to an input source signal and to a feedback signal;

a loudspeaker of the moving-coil type including a cone and a voice coil, said voice coil responding to said amplifier for axially driving said cone;

means for sensing the axial velocity of said cone; and

an equalizer exhibiting a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency characteristic and being responsive to said sensing means for providing said feedback signal,

whereby said cone exhibits a velocity versus frequency times a constant characteristic which is substantially approximated by a first straight line having a slope of 6 db/octave and by a second straight line having a slope of 0 db/octave, said lines intersecting where 0.476 Rf is approximately equal to 1.5, R being the effective radius of said loudspeaker cone and f the operating frequency thereof.

Claims

1. A sound reproducing system comprising: first amplifying means jointly responsive to a source signal and to a first feedback signal; first sound energy producing means responsive to said first amplifying means; first means for sensing the sound energy output of said first producing means; and first equalizIng means exhibiting a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency times a constant characteristic and being responsive to said first sensing means for providing said first feedback signal, said characteristic having a positive slope over the lower portion of a first frequency range and a zero slope over the rest of said first frequency range; whereby said first sound energy producing means radiates a substantially uniform sound energy output over said first frequency range.

2. The sound reproducing system of claim 1 wherein said first sound energy producing means is a loudspeaker of the moving-coil type including a cone and a voice coil, said voice coil responding to said first amplifying means for axially driving said cone; and said first sensing means responds to the motion imparted to said cone by said voice coil.

5. The sound reproducing system of claim 2 wherein said cone exhibits a velocity versus frequency characteristic which is substantially approximated by a first straight line having a slope of -6 db/octave and by a second straight line having a slope of 0 db/octave, said lines intersecting where 0.476 Rf is approximately equal to 1.5, R being the effective radius of said loudspeaker cone and f the operating frequency thereof.

6. The sound reproducing system of claim 4 further including: in association with said voice coil, a first permanent magnet, a first inner pole piece, and a first outer pole piece, which in combination form the main electromagnetic structure of said loudspeaker; in association with said sensing coil, a second permanent magnet, a second inner pole piece, and a second outer pole piece, which in combination form said motional sensing means; and an appropriately shaped non-magnetic electrically conductive metallic member which is rigidly attached to said second outer pole piece and which is located between said second outer pole piece and said main electromagnetic structure.

7. The sound reproducing system of claim 4 further including: in association with said voice coil, a first permanent magnet, a first inner pole piece, and a first outer pole piece, which in combination form the main electromagnetic structure of said loudspeaker; in association with said sensing coil, a second permanent magnet, a second inner pole piece, and a second outer pole piece, which in combination form said motional sensing means; and an appropriately shaped non-magnetic, electrically conductive metallic member mechanically securing said second inner pole piece to said first inner pole piece.

8. The sound reproducing system of claim 2 wherein said cone exhibits a substantially constant acceleration over a low frequency region and a substantially constant velocity over a high frequency region, said regions meeting where 0.476 Rf is approximately equal to 1.5, R being the effective radius of said loudspeaker cone and f the operating frequency thereof.

11. The sound reproducing system of claim 2 wherein said first equalizing means exhibits an attenuation versus frequency characteristic which is substantially approximated by a first straight line having a slope of +6 db/octave And by a second straight line having a slope of 0 db/octave, said lines intersecting where 0.476 Rf is approximately equal to 1.5, R being the effective radius of said loudspeaker cone and f the operating frequency thereof.

12. The sound reproducing system of claim 2 wherein said first equalizing means exhibits an attenuation versus frequency characteristic which is substantially approximated by a curve which is concave upward at its lower end and is concave downward at its upper end with an intervening slope approaching 6 db/octave and an ultimate slope at the upper end approaching 0 db/octave.

13. The sound reproducing system of claim 1 further comprising: second amplifying means responsive to said source signal; filtering means responsive to said second amplifying means; and second sound energy producing means responsive to said filtering means.

15. The sound reproducing system of claim 1 further comprising: second amplifying means jointly responsive to said source signal and to a second feedback signal; second sound energy producing means responsive to said second amplifying means; second means for sensing the sound energy output of said second sound energy producing means; and second equalizing means exhibiting a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency characteristic and being responsive to said second sensing means for providing said second feedback signal, whereby said second sound energy producing means radiates a substantially uniform sound energy output over a frequency range which does not overlap with said first frequency range.

16. A sound reproducing system comprising: an amplifier jointly responsive to an input source signal and to a feedback signal; a loudspeaker of the moving-coil type including a cone and a voice coil, said voice coil responding to said amplifier for axially driving said cone; means for sensing the axial velocity of said cone; and an equalizer exhibiting a predetermined nonlinear attenuation versus frequency characteristic and being responsive to said sensing means for providing said feedback signal, whereby said cone exhibits a velocity versus frequency times a constant characteristic which is substantially approximated by a first straight line having a slope of -6 db/octave and by a second straight line having a slope of 0 db/octave, said lines intersecting where 0.476 Rf is approximately equal to 1.5, R being the effective radius of said loudspeaker cone and f the operating frequency thereof.