US3624264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for sound and vibration detection
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-18
•
Granted: 1971-11-30
•
Expires: 1990-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A triple-axis shockproof and waterproof vibration transducer is disclosed for detecting vibrations in general and sound from a musical instrument in particular, especially one having a resonant cavity. The transducer includes three piezoelectric vibration detectors, each oriented to detect vibrations along a different one of three orthogonal axes established by walls of a sealed enclosure filled with silicon rubber. All detectors are connected in parallel to the input of a noninverting operational amplifier which adds the separate voltages produced proportional to vibrations along the three orthogonal axes. A universal wax is employed to attach the transducer to the optimum point of the instrument as determined empirically.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold Lazarus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:59
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H3/00; G10H3/12; G10H3/14; G10H3/18; G10H3/181; G10H3/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of electronically amplifying sound from a vibration point in a musical instrument selected from various points that are subject to vibrations in three orthogonal axes to produce for a given note a fundamental note played and overtones thaT provide the tonal qualities of said instrument, comprising the steps of: attaching a transducer to said instrument at one of said various points, said transducer having three vibration detectors, a separate detector for vibrations along each of three orthogonal axes; adding signals proportional to vibrations in said three axes produced by said three detectors of said transducer in response to vibrations of said instrument at said one vibration point to produce a sum signal; amplifying said sum signal to produce an amplified signal; applying said amplified signal to a device for converting said sum signal into audible sound; moving said transducer about said instrument to said various points and attaching said transducer to said instrument at each point until an optimum vibration point is found where sound produced by said device from said amplified signal sounds the same as unamplified sound directly; and leaving said transducer at said optimum point for amplification of sound thereafter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of electronically amplifying sound from a vibration point in a musical instrument selected from various points that are subject to vibrations in three orthogonal axes to produce for a given note a fundamental note played and overtones thaT provide the tonal qualities of said instrument, comprising the steps of: attaching a transducer to said instrument at one of said various points, said transducer having three vibration detectors, a separate detector for vibrations along each of three orthogonal axes; adding signals proportional to vibrations in said three axes produced by said three detectors of said transducer in response to vibrations of said instrument at said one vibration point to produce a sum signal; amplifying said sum signal to produce an amplified signal; applying said amplified signal to a device for converting said sum signal into audible sound; moving said transducer about said instrument to said various points and attaching said transducer to said instrument at each point until an optimum vibration point is found where sound produced by said device from said amplified signal sounds the same as unamplified sound directly; and leaving said transducer at said optimum point for amplification of sound thereafter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said instrument has a resonant cavity and said optimum vibration point is on a wall forming said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
159 words
On a musical instrument, a transducer that responds to vibrations of said instrument in three orthogonal axes for producing across a pair of output terminals of said transducer an electrical signal that is the sum of separate electrical signals, each proportional to vibrations in a different one of said three axes, comprising: three separate means for detecting vibrations, each adapted to detect vibrations along a different one of said three axis and produce a voltage signal proportional thereto; a common support means for said detecting means, said support means being adapted to secure each detecting means for detection of vibrations in a different one of said three axes; means having a pair of input terminals for summing signals applied in parallel across said input terminals to produce a sum signal; means for connecting said three detecting means in parallel between said input terminals of said summing means; and means for amplifying said sum signal produced by said summing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
159 words
On a musical instrument, a transducer that responds to vibrations of said instrument in three orthogonal axes for producing across a pair of output terminals of said transducer an electrical signal that is the sum of separate electrical signals, each proportional to vibrations in a different one of said three axes, comprising: three separate means for detecting vibrations, each adapted to detect vibrations along a different one of said three axis and produce a voltage signal proportional thereto; a common support means for said detecting means, said support means being adapted to secure each detecting means for detection of vibrations in a different one of said three axes; means having a pair of input terminals for summing signals applied in parallel across said input terminals to produce a sum signal; means for connecting said three detecting means in parallel between said input terminals of said summing means; and means for amplifying said sum signal produced by said summing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said support means comprises a sealed enclosure filled with silicon rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said enclosure is lined with a film of conductive material to form an electrostatic shield, and including a coaxial cable having an outer conductor connected to said film and to one terminal of each of said vibration detecting means to form one output terminal of said pair, and an inner conductor connected to another terminal of each of said vibration detecting means to form a second output terminal of said pair.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
A combination as defined in claim 5 wherein each vibration detecting means comprises a piezoelectric element having a pair of parallel faces, a first one cemented to said film, and an inertia mass of conductive material cemented to a second one of said pair of parallel faces, whereby an area of said film to which each element is cemented provides one terminal of each of said vibration detecting means and said inertia mass of each of said vibration detecting means provides the other terminal thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
A combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said summing means comprises a noninverting operational amplifier connected to said detecting means in parallel by said coaxial cable, said noninverting operational amplifier having differential input terminals and an output terminal, a bias resistor connected between one of said differential input terminals and said outer conductor of said coaxial cable, a feedback resistor connected between said amplifier output terminal and said one of said differential input terminals and another of said differential input terminals connected to said inner conductor of said coaxial cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
On a musical instrument, a triple-axis transducer that responds to vibrations of said instRument for producing across a pair of output terminals an output signal that is the sum of three signals, each of said three signals being proportional to vibrations in a different one of three orthogonal axes, comprising: a common support having three orthogonal conductive walls; three vibration detectors, each mounted on a unique one of said three walls, and each comprising a piezoelectric element having a pair of parallel faces, a first one of said faces being cemented to a conductive wall, and an inertia mass cemented to a second one of said faces; and a flexible conductor connecting a first one of said output terminals to said inertia mass of each one of said vibration detectors, and means connecting said conductive walls to a second one of said output terminals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
On a musical instrument, a triple-axis transducer that responds to vibrations of said instRument for producing across a pair of output terminals an output signal that is the sum of three signals, each of said three signals being proportional to vibrations in a different one of three orthogonal axes, comprising: a common support having three orthogonal conductive walls; three vibration detectors, each mounted on a unique one of said three walls, and each comprising a piezoelectric element having a pair of parallel faces, a first one of said faces being cemented to a conductive wall, and an inertia mass cemented to a second one of said faces; and a flexible conductor connecting a first one of said output terminals to said inertia mass of each one of said vibration detectors, and means connecting said conductive walls to a second one of said output terminals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said support is a sealed enclosure filled with silicon rubber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein all walls of said sealed enclosure support are conductive to form an electrostatic shield around said detectors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein all conductive walls are comprised of a film of conductive material on a board of dielectric material, and all films of all walls are connected together electrically.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said first one of said output terminals is connected to an inner conductor of a coaxial cable, and an outer conductor of said coaxial cable is connected to said conductive walls to form said second output terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said sealed enclosure support is completely coated on the outside with dielectric and waterproof material to provide an electrical and moisture seal around said outer conductor of said coaxial cable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1744916A
Cited
US2280226A
Cited
US2728868A
Cited
US3381149A
Cited
US2963911A
Cited
US3453920A
Cited
US3437851A
Cited
US3538232A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-29 | 1975-05-31 | 1975-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-29 | 1979-05-31 | 1979-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-29 | 1983-05-31 | 1983-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |