US3668336A - Audio system including electrostatic loudspeaker - Google Patents

Abstract

An audio system including the last stage of the audio amplifier as an audio frequency voltage output source, a DC source providing a substantially constant charge so as to define and maintain an electrostatic field, and an electrostatic loudspeaker wherein the electrostatic field is maintained between electrodes and the audio frequency voltage output is impressed on the electrostatic field. Negative feedback from the audio voltage output may be provided. The electrostatic loudspeaker is assembled so as to include spacer blocks on either side of a movable diaphragm, and clamped between two rigid, outer electrodes. An electrical connection is passed through the spacer blocks so that both outer electrodes may have electrical connections made to each, respectively, on one common side of the loudspeaker assembly.

Description

United States Patent Wright 1 June 6,1972

AUDIO SYSTEM INCLUDING ELECTROSTATIC LOUDSPEAKER [72] Inventor: William M, D. Wright, Thornhill, Ontario,

Canada [7 3] Assignee: Dayton Wright Associates Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Dec. 8, 1969 [21] Appl. No: 883,143

52 ..|79/m n I51 Int. Cl ..H04r 19/02 [58] FleldoiSearch ..l79/l l l, l R, 1 F, 1 FS 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,746,540 2/1930 1 Kyle ....l79/l 11 1,930,518 l0/1933 High ....l79/l 11 1,983,377 12/1934 Kellogg... 179/1 11 2,387,845 10/1945 Harry ..i79/l F 2,755,796 7/1956 Boucke ....l79/l 11 3,008,014 1 H1961 Williamson et a1. 179/1 11 3,345,469 10/1967 'Rod ...l79/l 11 3,014,098 Malme....- ..l79/l 11 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 838,022 6/ 1960 Great Britain I 79/1 I 1 1,059,307 2/ 1967 Great Britain 179/1 1 1 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Jordan, Loudspeakers, Focal Press, 1963 pp. 177 184 Primary Examiner-William C. Cooper Assistant Examiner-Thomas L. Kundert Attorney-Douglas S. Johnson [57] ABSTRACT The electrostatic loudspeaker is assembled so as to include spacer blocks on either side of a movable diaphragm, and

clamped between two rigid, outer electrodes. An electrical connection is passed through the spacer blocks so that both outer electrodes may have electrical connections made to each, respectively, on one common side of the loudspeaker assembly.

17 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJuu 6m2 SHEET 10F 4 D. WRIGHT m T m V N M M M L n w Attorney PATE'N'TEDJUM 6 I972SHEET 2 OF 4 FIG. 33o 32 5 INVENTOR.

.WILLIAM M. D' WRIGHT Attorney AUDIO SYSTEM INCLUDING ELECTROSTATIC LOUDSPEAKER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an audio system which comprises an audio frequency voltage output source and an electromechanical transducer having an audible output; and more particularly, the invention relates to a substantially constant charge electrostatic loudspeaker and its relationship to the audio power output driving the speaker in an audio system.

The present invention is related especially to electrostatic loudspeakers having three electrodes in spaced parallel relationship, at least one of which is a thin, movable diaphragm. Electrostatic fields are established between the center electrode and the two outside electrodes, which fields may be either additive or opposing, depending upon'the circuit configuration.

' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The efficiency and fidelity of the audio output of an electrostatic electro-acoustical transducer, i.e. an electrostatic loudspeaker, are both increased and enhanced where the area of each of the electrodes is large as compared to the spacings between them say, 100 square inches to 0.25 inch and it becomes important'that the electrodes be rigidly mounted. Of course, allowance must be taken for the physical excursions of the movable diaphragm which, when held from its periphery, may move as a plane surface, a modified catenary or a catena ry when the frequency of the impressed signal is above, at, or below the resonant frequency of the speaker. Further, the provision of relatively thin electrodes, both diaphragm electrodes and rigid metal electrodes as discussed hereafter, permits a high acoustical resolution with substantial acoustic transparency, while also permitting the maintenance of a smooth field gradient between electrodes. When a smooth field gradient is maintained between electrodes of an electrostatic speaker, and when the parallel and rigid relationship of the electrodes is also maintained, the unit may then be operated with high field and/or signal voltage gradients without surface voltage breakdown and without dielectric breakdown until the dielectric strength, of the medium in which the electrodes are operating is reached.

lt has been a fault of known electrostatic speakers that they could not be operated at highsignal voltages without risking surface voltage breakdown. It has also been a fault of known electrostatic speakers that connections made to the front electrode of such a speaker were necessarily mechanically effected at that electrode. When the electrostatic speakers were enclosed behind grills or speaker cloth, etc., no problems were encountered; but in time the perforated metal or wire cloth electrodes which were very often used in electrostatic speakers became usable by interior decorators in decorative panels, etc., and electrical connections made thereto then I became unsightly.

The electrical characteristics of electrostatic loudspeakers have very often been disregarded, except for matching of the loudspeaker to the output of an audio amplifier at a given frequency; and the usual considerations of capacitive loading, treble roll-off, etc., have also usually been taken into account. There has, however, been little effort made to actively incorporate the electrostatic speaker and its associated drive circuitry as a feedback source to the last stage of an audio output amplifier, thereby improving the damping characteristics, transient response, etc. of the audio amplifier.

This invention, therefore, serves to provide an audio system including an electrostatic loudspeaker which overcomes the shortcomings discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of, this invention to provide an audio system including an electrostatic loudspeaker which can beeasily assembled, and which provides an efficient, acoustically accurate audio output.

A further object of this invention is to provide an assembly for an electrostatic loudspeaker whereby all of the necessary electrical connections thereto may be made at one side thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide an audio system including an audio output voltage source and an electro-mechanical transducer having a DC, substantially constant charge field impressed thereupon.

Astill further object of this invention is to provide various alternatives for establishing a DC field and for impressing an audio frequency signal on an electrostatic loudspeaker.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a loudspeaker which is operable in a gaseous medium other than air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

These and other features and objects of the invention are discussed more fully hereafter, in association with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view, partially in cross-section, of the major components of one embodiment of an electrostatic speaker made in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled electrostatic speaker similar to that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in a length-wise direction taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section in a cross-wise direction taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5A is a cross-section in a cross-wise direction taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5B is a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 5A, and showing an alternative, preferred, embodiment of the electrostatic speaker of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrostatic speaker assembled in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 7 is a simplified circuit showing the electrical connections to a preferred embodiment of the electrostatic speaker of this invention in an audio output system according to this invention, and operating in a preferred mode.

FIG. 8 is a simplified circuit diagram showing an audio system according to this invention in a preferred mode, and utilizing an electrostatic speaker similar to that shown in FIGS. I to 6.

FIG. 9 is an alternative, simplified circuit diagram for a preferred mode of operation of the audio system according to this invention. 3

FIG. 10 is a simplified circuit diagram showing an alternate mode of operation of the audio system of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a simplified circuit diagram showing yet another mode of operation of the audio system according to this invention.

FIG. 12 is a simplified circuit diagram showing one form of negative feedback in an audio system according to this invention; and

FIG. 13 is a simplified circuit diagram showing another mode of negative feedbackin an audio system according to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Anelectrostatic speaker 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6; and is indicated in FIG. 8. For purposes of simplicity, as will be discussed hereafter, a simplified circuit presentation of thespeaker 10 is shown at 12in FIGS. 7, 9, 10, 12 and 13.

Theelectrostatic speaker 10, (and the electrostatic speaker 12) basically comprises a thin, pliant,diaphragm 14 and twometal electrodes 16 and 18. At least one side of thediaphragm 14 is coated with a highly resistive electrically conductive layer as at 20 and 22 in FIG. 1. Each high resistivity electrically conductive layer on the surface ofdiaphragm 14 may be formed from a graphite suspension in a suitable wetting agent, or a carbon/molybdenum suspension, or any suitable high re sistivity coatings as are well known in the electrostatic speaker art; and the high resistivity electrically conductive layer is suitably brushed in suspension onto the required portions of the surface of the diaphragm and permitted to dry. The resistivity of the high resistivity electrically conductive portions of the surface ofdiaphragm 14 is at least 100 megohms per unit square.

Theelectrodes 16 and 18 are suitably formed of perforated metal, metal screen or wire cloth, and are mechanically rigid especially in comparison to thediaphragm 14. In the preferred embodiment shown, dishedportions 24 are formed in each of theelectrodes 16 and 18. It will be noted that eachdish 24 is formed so that the bottom thereof is substantially planar, with the bottoms ofadjacent dishes 24 formed in any one of theelectrodes 16 or 18 being substantially coplanar. As will be noted hereafter, the assembly of the preferred electrostatic speaker illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 assures a substantially parallel and mechanically rigid relationship of the diaphragm 14 (when at rest) with theelectrodes 16 and 18.

The material from which theelectrodes 16 and 18 are made is chosen so as to be electrically conductive and substantially acoustically transparent, as well as mechanically rigid. Theelectrodes 16 and 18 may conveniently be stamped or pressed using well known metal working techniques. Thediaphragm 14 may be formed from a sheet of thin, pliant, plastic material having sufficient tear strength to retain its integrity during operation; and may conveniently be made from such materials as saran, Pliofilm or mylar.

The preferred embodiment of the electrostatic speaker has two adjacent dishedportions 24 formed in each of theelectrodes 16 and 18, and two adjacentconductive portions 20 and 22 on at least one of thesurfaces ofdiaphragm 14. The area covered by each of theconductive portions 20 or 22 is slightly less than the area of any one ofthe dishedportions 24.

Turning briefly to FIGS. 7 and 8, theelectrostatic speaker 10 is represented in FIG. 8 with the various dishedportions 24 and theconductive layers 20 and 22 being designated in that Figure.Resistors 26 are indicated in FIG. 8 and shown pictorially in FIG. 1. The resistance of each of theresistors 26 is identical to that of each of the other resistors, within reasonable tolerance. In FIG. 8, thedesignation 16 or 18 in brackets after thedesignations 24 refers to the metal electrode in which each respective dishedportion 24 is to be found. It will be noted, therefore, that each of the dishedportions 24 inelectrode 16 is electrically, equi-potentially connected to the other dishedportion 24; and similarly with the dishedportions 24 in theelectrode 18. Likewise, with respect to thejunction point 28 which is illustrated at either end of the circuit representation ofspeaker 10 in FIG. 8, the high resistivity electricallyconductive portions 20 and 22 of thediaphragm 14 are each, respectively, electrically away from thejunction point 28 by the value of eachresistor 26. In other words, each half of theelectrostatic speaker 10 is electrically identical to the other half, and those halves are therefore represented by one circuit designation of aspeaker 12 illustrated in FIG. 7. Thus,speaker 12 comprises screens 224 (the work screen as used herein designates the dishedportion 24 of either of theelectrodes 16 or 18, or the equivalent thereof) along with electricallyconductive layer 221 on the diaphragm which is situated between thescreens 224 together withresistors 226 at either end thereof. Likewise, the circuit representation ofelectrostatic speaker 12 in FIGS. 9, 10, 12 and 13 omits the right-hand representation of thejunction point 228 which is electrically identical to, although physically separated from, the left-hand junction point 228. The electro-mechanical transduction or electro-acoustical power transformations which are accomplished in the electrostatic speakers according to this invention are most easily understood with reference to the simplified circuit representations thereof as shown particularly in FIGS. 9 through 13, and as discussed hereafter.

The physical, mechanical assembly of the preferred embodiment of the electrostatic speaker according to this invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 (including a preferred alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 5B) is discussed below:

After the high resistivity electrically conductive layer orcoating 20 and 22 is placed in the designated portions on at lewt one of the surfaces ofdiaphragm 14, the diaphragm is placed between two pairs ofend shells 30. Each of theend shells 30 is conveniently vacuum formed of a suitable, electrically insulating plastic; and hasrecesses 32 formed therein which will accommodate each of theresistors 26 andhole 34 through which suitable fastening means such asscrew 36 may be passed to be later fastened withlug 38 and nut 40.Cups 42 are conveniently formed inend shelves 30 to support the ends ofelectrodes 16 and 18, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred method of attachment of theresistors 26 into the electrical circuit of thespeaker 10, and the left-hand upper end shall 30 as shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in upside-down position in FIG. 6. It is noted that thediaphragm 14 is supported over at least a portion of the underside (that is, the up side as illustrated) of theend shell 30. The support of thediaphragm 14 may be temporary at this time, as is discussed in greater detail hereafter. In any event, it is noted thatbolt 36 passing throughwasher 37 effects an electrical connection to the inner pigtails of each ofresistors 26, and theouter pigtails 44 ofresistors 26 extend away from thebolt 36 in the manner shown. Afoil strip 46, or a strip of silver paint or other suitable conductive paint or lacquer, is passed from eachpigtail 44 to either of the high resistivity electricallyconductive layers 20 or 22 respectively. A good, physically pliant electrical connection fromresistor 26 to either of the high resistivityconductive portions 20 or 22 of diaphragm I4 is thereby assured. As noted above, similar mechanical and electrical connections are made at the other end (i.e. the righthand end as illustrated in FIG. 1) of the electrostatic speaker as shown.

In any event, the electrostatic speaker is assembled so that theconductive portions 20 or 22 of the diaphragm l4 underlie the dishedportions 24 of theelectrodes 16 and 18; and theelectrodes 16 and 18, thediaphragm 14, theend shells 30 withresistors 26 andbolts 36, etc. are then assembled together with side braces 48 so that the various electrodes, diaphragm, etc., have the respective inter-related positions one to another as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5A and 6. Epoxy cement is spread around the periphery of each of theelectrodes 16 and 18 where they will contact endshells 30 or side braces 48, and between the end shells and the side braces so as to securely and rigidly hold thediaphragm 14 in place as well as theelectrodes 16 and 18; and the entire assembly is clamped together and set aside untilthe epoxy cement has cured. Other suitable cements or assembly techniques may be used provided that they do not introduce unwanted audible or electrical interference with the operation of the electrostatic speaker as discussed hereafter.

A preferred embodiment of the electrostatic speaker illustrated includes a stiffener rib 50 which extends down the center between the dishedportions 24 of either of the electrodes l6 and 18 (or both, but in this case electrode 16); and the stiffener rib 50 is securely fastened by cement or otherwise to the portions of the electrode with which it contacts, and to thediaphragm 14. Thus, the mechanical assembly of the electrostatic speaker in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 58 provides essentially two speakers side by side with the diaphragm l4 rigidly held in each one of them and having a span width less than one half the width of the diaphragm span width as illustrated in FIG. 5A. The power handling capacity of a speaker made according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B is therefore enhanced over that of a speaker as illustrated in FIG. 5A, because the excursions taken at the center of the diaphragm under any given power/field conditions are less for the FIG. 5B configuration as opposed to the FIG. 5A configuration or embodiment.

Referring briefly to FIG. 2 and to FIGS. 7 or 8, it will be noted that the junction points 28 or 228 are effected, mechanically, bybolts 36. Similarly, thejunction point 52 or 252 is conveniently, mechanically efiected bybolt 54 withlug 56, shown in FIG. 2 onelectrode 16. Thejunction point 58 or 258 may conveniently be effected bybolt 60 together withlug 62 andnut 68 in the manner discussed hereafter.

rnrnan Referring especially to FIGS. 1 and 4, it will be noted that thebolt 60 extends upwardly through a pair of aligned insulating spacer blocks.64 which are placed on either side of thediaphragm 14. Afurther spacer block 66 may be placed above theelectrode 16 so as to place thelug 62 well above the surface ofelectrode 16.Nut 68 is turned down on thebolt 60, and a clamping action is then achieved between the underside of the head of the bolt which is contacting the outside surface of theelectrode 18 and the underside ofthenut 68 andlug 62. Thus, as thenut 68 is turned down over thebolt 60, a mechanical clamping ofelectrodes 16 to 18 is assured. However, because of the insulativeproperties of spacer blocks 64 and 66, thelug 62 is electrically connected to electrode 18 but electrically insulated fromelectrode 16. it is now seen that the electrical connection to each ofelectrodes 16 and 18 may be conveniently made on one side of the electrostatic speaker or 12. Also, as noted, the junction points 28 or 228 are mechanically situated on the same side of theelectrostatic speaker 10 or 12 throughbolts 36, together withlugs 38 and nuts 40.

The electro acoustical operation of the audio system according to this invention is discussed below: Reference is made to FIGS. 7 and 9, which as discussed above and with the exceptions noted below, are identical. Particularly, the circuits of FIGS. 7 and 9 show aninput transformer 70 to the audio system circuit; and the transformer has a core 72, primary winding 74 and secondary winding 76. (Theaudio frequency transformer 70 is also shown in FIGS. 8, 10, 11 and 13.) In the usual circumstance, theaudio frequency transformer 72 is a step up transformer; but in any event, the transformer is an audio frequency voltage output source in which an audio frequency voltage appears across the secondary winding 76'. Also, of course, theaudio frequencytransformer 70 may be replaced with transformer-less, usually transistorized, audio output circuitry of the type well known in the audio amplifier art.

The circuit of FIG. 7 includes a center-tap 78 onthe secondary winding 76 oftransformer 70, and aDC input 80 havingterminals 81 and 83. Aresistor 82 is inserted in the line betweenterminal 83 andjunction point 228 onspeaker 12.

The center-tap 78 is also made on secondary winding 76 in FIG. 9, and aDC source 280 is inserted betweenresistor 82 and center-tap 78, and havingterminals 81 and 83, as before. Additionally,DC source 280 is shown as having aresistor 85 across itsoutput terminals 81 and 82; but theresistor 85 across the output ofDC source 280 is shown merely to indicate that the source may be regarded as having a very high output impedance. Of course, if the voltage output fromDC source 280 is absolutely ripple free, it would ,be impossible to measure any impedance as indicated atresistor 85. Finally, a ground connection toground 84.is shown so that thecentertap 78 and the terminal 81 are at ground potential.

It is not indicated which ofterminals 81 and 83 is positive and which is negative; nor does the polarity of the DC source materially effectthe operation of the audio system of this invention and particularly the operation of the electrostatic speaker. It will be noted that thescreens 224 ofelectrostatic speaker 12 in FIG. 9 are also at ground potential, DC-wise; and, subject to charging current limitations and other, extremely small, current flow circumstances during operation all of which current limitations may slightly effect potential because ofresistors 82 and 226 the potential of theconductive layer 221 on the diaphragm of theelectrostatic speaker 12 is essentially that ofterminal 83 ofDC source 280. (It should be stressed that theelectrostatic speaker 12 is essentially one in which an electrostatic, DC field is maintained; so that the physical inter-position of thediaphragm 14 on one side or the other of its high resistivity electricallyconductive layer 221, and between it and one of thescreens 224, will have no effect as to the maintenance of an electrostatic field therebetween.)

The value of theresistor 82 is chosen so that the time constant for the circuit comprising the diaphragm toelectrode capacitances, in parallel, and shunted by the isolatingresistor 26, will be substantially longer than the period-of the lowest operating frequency impressed on the electrostatic speaker. The value of theresistor 82 may typically be between 50 and 1,000 megohms.

The value of eachisolation resistor 26 or 226 is chosen so that, having regard to the capacitance of the electrostatic speaker which capacitance value may be readily determined knowing all of the parameters as to area of the electrodes, spacing therebetween, dielectric strength, etc. the time constant of the RC circuit formed by theresistor 26 or 226 and the capacitance of theelectrostatic speaker 10 or 12 will be such that, during operation of the speaker, the discharging effects which may be happening at one of the high resistivity conductive layers on the diaphragm will not substantially alter or affect the operation (and the charge) of the other high resistivity conductive layer on the diaphragm. At noted, the twoconductive portions 20 and 22 ofdiaphragm 14 are connected in the same DC charging circuit; and the isolatingresistors 26 effectively isolate any capacitance discharge or AC operating phenomena of the one conductive portion from the other. Typically, the value of each isolatingresistor 26 may be between 20 and 100 megohms.

The quality of the DC voltage which is delivered from the DC source or 280 may vary; but usually a high voltage DC generator is provided having a DC output with less than l0 percent ripple. The effect of ripple, especially high percentage ripple in a DC output where the peak-to-peak value of that ripple may approach the peak-to-peak signalvoltages, may be noticable especially when the DC is derived from a rectified AC having a base frequency within the audible range, and usually from 60 to 440 Hz.

in any event, for purposes of this discussion, it is assumed that each ofscreens 224 ofelectrostatic speaker 12 in FIG. 9 is at ground potential and that the high resistivity electricallyconductive layer 221 on the diaphragm is negative with respect to ground so that an electrostatic, DC, field is established between theconductive layer 221 and each of the screens 227 in an outwards direction as indicated byarrows 90. There are, therefore, two opposed electrostatic fields one on either side of the high resistivity electricallyconductive layer 221 ofdiaphragm 14. When no AC signal is applied to thescreens 224, the audio system and particularly theelectrostatic speaker 12, is quiescent, and there is no audible power output from theelectrostatic speaker 12. However, assume that an audio frequency signal is impressed on primary winding 74 oftransformer 70, which signal appears across the secondary winding 76. For ease of discussion, the audio system of the circuit in FIG. 9 will be considered at one instant in time, and it will be assumed that the audio frequency signal (whether it is of simple or complex wave form is immaterial) is positive going at the instant of time in question. Because the secondary winding 76 is center-tapped, and assuming a polarity of thewindings 74 and 76 so that the top end of winding 76 goes positive when the top end of winding 74 goes positive, then the top end of winding 76 andtop screen 224 are positive going and the bottom end of winding 76 andbottom screen 224 are negative going with respect toground 84 at the particular instant being spoken of.

The value of the voltage output of theDC source 280 is chosen so that, having regard to all of the physical parameters of theelectrostatic speaker 12, an electrostatic, DC, field is established as shown at arrows having a field gradient of from 10 to 40 Kv per inch. Likewise, the audio frequency voltage output source (in this case transformer 70) is chosen so that the audio frequency signal applied across thescreens 224 ofelectrostatic speaker 12 may, at peak signal voltages, provide an instantaneous field having a field gradient of up to 40 Kv per inch.

In any event, having regard once again to the effect of the field asindicated atarrows 90 in FIG. 9, and the effect of the signal voltages impressed onscreens 224 at the instant in question, it will now be noted that the negative going signal on thelower screen 224 will have the effect of instantaneously reducing the electric field established betweenconductive layer 221 andlower screen 224; with the physical effect that the diaphragm begins a physical excursion towards thelower screen 224. In addition, the positive going signal applied to theupper screen 224 has an additive effect to the DC field established between theconductive layer 221 of diaphragm l4 and theupper screen 224. The physical manifestation of the additive effect of the instantaneous signal field upon the established electrostatic field is that the diaphragm l4 begins a physical excursion downwards away from theupper screen 224. That is, the audio signal applied across thescreens 224 as shown in FIG. 9, is additive with the electrostatic fields established as indicated atarrows 90, with respect to the net effect on the physical motion ofdiaphragm 14. Therefore, an audible power output from theelectrostatic speaker 12 and the audio system of FIG. 9 may be realized in real time by virtue of the physical motion of thediaphragm 14 under the effect of the established electrostatic field and the audio frequency field superimposed thereon.

No consideration is made of the specific problems of compliance, mass inertia, etc., of thediaphragm 14 in this invention, Such problems which directly efiect the physical motion and mechanical suspension of the diaphragm are well considered in the literature, such as Wright US. Pat. No. 3,135,838, issued June 2, I964; Bobb U.S. Pat. No. 2,878,323, issued March 17, I959; or Williamson et al US. Pat. Nos. 3,008,013 and 3,008,014, issued Nov. 7, 1961. Also, as mentioned above, the material of thescreens 224 that is the material of themetal electrodes 16 and 18 is such as to be mechanically substantially rigid and acoustically substantially transparent.

The center-tap of secondary winding 76 and the DC connection thereto and through the winding to thescreens 224, can accommodate a physically symmetrical assembly of theelectrostatic speaker 12. In this way, the opposed electrostatic fields can be easily established in the electrostatic speaker, and the audio frequency signals impressed on thescreens 224 then act additively on the opposed fields, as discussed above.

The preceeding discussion is relevant to the electrostatic speakers and 12, and to the circuitry, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

In another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the electrostatic field is established betweenscreens 223 which are isolated from each other in a DC sense, but which are electrically connected in an AC sense. Specifically, it will be noted that there is a center-tap 87 onresistor 85, which center-tap is grounded at 84. In the sense of the DC portion of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 10, therefore, the terminal 81 and theupper screen 223 attached thereto are positive with respect to ground; and likewise the terminal 83 and the lower screen 233 attached thereto are negative with respect to ground. There is, therefore, an electrostatic field established between the lower andupper screens 223 in the direction indicated by arrow 91.DC blocking capacitors 89 are connected fromterminals 81 and 83 respectively to ground; and the value ofcapacitors 89 is chosen so that they represent an AC shunt to any signal within the audio frequency which would be impressed thereupon. Therefore, thescreens 223 are electrically connected in an AC sense and isolated in a DC, electrostatic, sense.

Thescreens 223 anddiaphragm coating 225 of the electrostatic speaker of FIG. 10 have high and low impedances, respectively. That is, in this embodiment, thescreens 223 have a high resistivity per unit square in the order of 100 megohms or more and theconductive layer 225 on the diaphragm has a low resistance.

The screens may be made by coating a mechanically stiff, acoustically transparent and electrically insulating plate member with high resistivity coating as previously discussed; or by such means as vacuum depositing a very thin metallic or semiconductive layer on the plate member. The diaphragm may have a low resistance layer such as foil or conductive paint or lacquer placed on it in the working portion of its effective, suspended area.

In the circuit of FIG. 10, the isolatingresistors 182 are placed between the output of theDC source 280 and each of thehigh resistivity screens 223, respectively. There is no separate resistance placed in the circuit between the upper end of secondary winding 76 and thelow resistance layer 225 on the diaphragm.

It was noted above that field established betweenscreens 223 acts upwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 91. It may be convenient to regard the field as being the additive combination of two fields; viz., the field betweenlower screen 223 anddiaphragm 225, and the field betweendiaphragm 225 andupper screen 223.

Having regard to a signal impressed upon the audio frequency voltage output source (i.e. transformer in FIG. 10, it is convenient to regard an instantaneous condition of the transformer when the upper end of both primary andsecondary windings 74 and 76 respectively are positive going. For that purpose, it is convenient to regard the lower end of the primary and secondary windings as being connected to ground. In any event, it will be noted that as the upper end of the secondary winding 76 is positive going, an instantaneous field gradient is established between theconductive layer 225 and thescreens 223 such that the signal field gradient is directed from ground potential to the higher potential; and therefore the signal field gradient is directed from each of thescreens 223 towards theconductive layer 225. However, having regard to the electrostatic fields and the effect of the signal voltage field gradient thereupon as each occurs between one of thescreens 223 and theconductive layer 225, it will be noted that since the electrostatic field is directed upwards fromlower screen 223 to theconductive layer 225, a positive going signal on theconductive layer 225 with respect to thelower screen 223 will cause the diaphragm to begin an upwards excursion away from thelower screen 223. Likewise, there is an additive, electrostatic field extending upwardly from theconductive layer 225 towards theupper screen 223 as discussed above; and when the signal voltage gradient appears between those electrodes at the instant chosen, theconductive layer 225 is positive going with respect to theupper screen 223 or in other words, theupper screen 223 may be considered to be negative going with respect to theconductive layer 225 and therefore, the interaction of the electrostatic field with the signal voltage field is manifested by an upward excursion of the diaphragm towards theupper screen 223. The net effects of the signal voltage gradient with the electrostatic field on the diaphragm are, once again, additive; and an audible power output from the electrostatic speaker 15 is heard.

Yet another embodiment of the audio system according to this invention is illustrated in simplified circuit form in FIG. 11, havingspeaker 13 designated therein. It will be noted that the AC and DC portions of the circuit of FIG. 11 are substantially the same as in FIG. 10, with the net result that an upwards directed electrostatic field may be considered to be established as indicated atarrow 391. However, it will be noted in the circuit of FIG. 11 that isolatingresistors 382 are connected to the output side of theDC power source 280 atterminals 81 and 83 thereof, and that the isolatingresistor 382 are in turn connected each respectively to aninput resistor 326 which in turn is connected to a high resistivity electricallyconductive layer 321. Obviously, the high resistivity electricallyconductive layers 321 are to be found, respectively, on a pair of diaphragms which would be mounted having a fixed spacing and with as great mechanical rigidity as possible when in a quiescent state. A single, mechanically rigid and acoustically substantiallytransparent screen 324 is mechanically, rigidly fixed between the diaphragms on which the high resistivityconductive layers 321 are found.

In the audio system illustrated in FIG. 11, the electrostatic field is directed as indicated byarrow 391 across thescreen 324 which is DC-wise, at ground potential. Therefore, because thescreen 224 is rigid and the diaphragms are movable, when the DC field between the diaphragms is switched on, one of the high resistivity conductive layers on one of the diaphragms The electrical operation of the audio system of FIG. '1 l is es sentially the same as that described above with respect to FIG. except that each ofthe diaphragms moves in accordance with the effect of the interaction of the signal voltage field gradient with the DC field. However, as discussed above, the."

effects of a -say positive going signal onscreen 324 with respect to either of thediaphragms 321 would be additive so that the diaphragms would each move in one direction or the other at any given instant of time.

It should also be noted from FIGS. 12 and '13 that the electro-mechanical transducers-4e, the electrostatic speakers l2 of the audio system shown in simplified circuit form ineither of those figures are electrically connected to a negative feedback input to the audio frequency voltage output source. Thus, in F 1G. 12, a last stage amplifier is shown at 102 feeding theaudio frequency transformer 70 on the secondary side of which there is an additional winding 104. One end of the additional winding 104 is grounded and the other end is connected throughresistor 106 to the input to thelast stageamplifier 102. By properly choosing the polarity of the additional winding 104 on the secondary side of thetransformer 70, a negative feedback to thesignal line 108 is established. course, the grounded end of the additional winding 104 also is equipotentially connected to thescreens 224 of theelectrostatic speaker 12. The operation of the circuit of F 1G. 12 is substantially as described above with respect to any of FIGS. 7, 8 or 9, and the effect of the negative feedback to the last stage of the audio amplifier which is apart of the audio frequency voltage output source of the audio system, is well know.

Likewise a transformer-less audio frequencyvoltage output source 110 is illustrated in FIG. 13 having push-pull input 112 and having cross-connectednegative feedback 114, 116. In this case, the output voltage of thesource 110 appears across a voltagedivider comprising resistors 118 so that a balanced, substantially center-capped voltage divider means appears with theDC source 280 connected thereto. The remaining connection to thescreens 224 and high resistivity electricallyconductive layer 221 of thediaphragm 14 of electrostatic:speaker 12, through isolatingresistor 82 andinput resistor 226 are as discussed above; and the operation of the circuit is also as discussed above. I 7

Any of the electro-mechanical transducers 10, 12 or 13 thatis, the electrostatic speakers may be operated in a gaseous medium other than air. Preferably, the dielectric strength of that gaseous medium is at least equal to that of air. in the case of a speaker such aselectrostatic speaker 12, it may be placed in a sealed enclosure having membrane or diaphragm side or sides of the proper compliance, etc. One such enclosure is shown schematically in FIG. 12 aroundelectrostatic speaker 12 at 502.

It should be noted that thespeaker 13 illustrated in FIG. 11 and discussed above may be hermetically sealed as at 504 so that two of the surfaces of the sealed enclosures are comprised essentially of the diaphragms on which the high resistivityconductive layers 321 are to be found. in either case that is in the case of an hermetically sealedspeaker 13 havingseals 504,

or aspeaker 12 in anhermetically'sealed enclosure 502 the gaseous medium may be one whose density is either greater or 'less than that of air. One gaseous medium whose density is considerably greater than that of air and whose dielectric strength is higher to that of air and which, therefore, provides considerably altered acoustical qualities to a speaker, particularly at lower frequencies, is sulphur hexafluoride. Other gaseous mediums may also be used; and indeed a gaseous medium having a dielectric strength less than that of air may be used provided the necessary design considerations with respect to electrode spacing are taken account of.

All of the above discussion assumes an electrostatic field, with little or no charging current to maintain the electrostatic field after the electrostatic speaker has been initially energized. That is, when the DC source which establishes and maintains the electrostatic field is first turned on and the electrodes to which it is connected are uncharged, a charging current will occur until the electrodes are charged and the field established. Because the electrostatic speaker has finite volume and surface resistances, as well as finite dimensional limits, there may be very slight currents from the DC charge to i the electrodes to maintain the electrostatic fields; but the fields that are established and maintained can be assumed to be steady, electrostatic fields, and the current drain necessary .to maintain the electrostatic fields is immaterial to the opera- E K 'e (Equation 2) where K and K are system constants.

Next, as discussed above, assume that there is no meaningful current flowing in the electrostatic field charging circuit, so that the electrostatic field is constant, and the charge maintaining it is constant. Any isolated charge Q which has a constant magnitude or magnitude per unit area will have no effect on the field gradient. However, the electromotive force F act-' ing on that charge will be-proportional to the magnitude of the charge and gradient so that F K (5' Q) (Equation 3) where K is a system constant. Therefore, 7

F= K .Q.K .e (Equation where K is another system constant; and for constant Q,

a'Q' -z i (Equation 5) and F= K (Equation Thus, where there is a constant electrostatic field having a constant charge and a fixed spacing, and therefore having a constant electrostatic field gradient; the magnitude of the electromotive force acting on a charge in the field gradient will be proportional to the applied voltage on that field. As noted, the applied voltage on the electrostatic field is the voltage derived from the audio frequency voltage output source; in other words, the audio signal in the audio system of this invention.

It should also be noted that the input impedance of the electromechanical transducer of this invention (i.e. the electrostatic speaker) is substantially capacitive. Any resistive component that may be noticed appears primarily because of the radiation resistance of the transducer, rather than as the result of any mass reactance of the diaphragm or any compliance reactance thereof. This is essentially so, because the diaphragm is very light. I

it can now be noted therefore that operation of the audio system according to this invention especially when power amplification means are employed having negative voltage feedback, so as to provide output voltage proportional to its input voltage may be such that the audible power output from the audio system is nearly directed proportional to the input signal applied in the first instance to an audio power amplifier from which the aforestated output voltage is derived. in other words, especially where the means providing the output voltage is relatively insensitive insofar as variations of its loading may be concerned, and having in mind all of the power delivery and power handling limitations of audio amplifiers even those of the highest quality the proportionality of the audio output to the applied signal is direct to a very high degree.

There are audio amplifiers known in the market place having very-high quality and having highly proportional output signals relative to their input signals. However, the linearity of the audio amplifiers has very often been much higher than that of the speakers which they were driving, with the result that the cost of audio system has very often been higher, proportionately, to the quality of audio output therefrom than would be the cost of otherwise comparable audio systems according to the present invention.

The physical emplacement of the electrodes and diaphragm of the preferred embodiment of the electromechanical transducer (electrostatic speaker) according to this invention give effect to a smooth change in field gradient between the supporting structure, and especially theend shells 30, and the active area of the electro-mechanical transducer which includes the high resistivity conductive portions of the diaphragm and the screens associated therewith. Because the audio system including the electro-mechanical transducer is essentially a constant charge device, the physical action of the diaphragm(s) is substantially proportional to the impressed audio frequency signal voltage.

it has further been seen that the electrostatic loudspeaker which forms a part of this invention is easily and accurately assembled so as to assure the proper functioning thereof. It has been noted that all of the electrical connections to the electromechanical transducer which are necessary in an audio system in accordance with this invention may be made on one side only of the electrostatic speaker comprising the electromechanical transducer. Still further, a rigid, mechanical clamping means is provided for an electrostatic speaker; thereby enhancing the efficiency, clarity and power handling capacity of the speaker.

Finally, various alternative circuit arrangements have been shown for providing the DC and signal voltage feeds to the electro-mechanical transducer so that the transducer may operate in one of several modes of operation having respect to the electrostatic field which is formed therein. Also, it has been shown that the electro-mechanical transducer which constitutes a portion of this invention may be operated in the gaseous medium other than air; and one embodiment of an electrostatic speaker has been shown, which can, itself, be hermetically sealed to contain a gaseous medium therein other than air.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An audio system including an audio frequency voltage output source and an electro-mechanical transducer means electrically connected thereto and having an audible power output:

wherein a substantially balanced, center-tapped voltage divider means is connected across said voltage output source, and said center-tap is connected through a DC source and a high resistance electrical input to thin, pliant and movable diaphragm means in said electro-mechanical transducer means; said diaphragm means having two major surfaces and being electrically conductive with high resistivity over at least one major portion of at least one of said major surfaces;

said diaphragm being mechanically suspended between substantially parallel, mechanically rigid, electrically conductive and acoustically substantially transparent plate means; said plate means being electrically connected across said audio frequency voltage output source; each said at least one major portion of said at least one major surface of said diaphragm means being bounded at its periphery by a portion of said diaphragm surface which is substantially electrically non-conductive.

2. The audio system ofclaim 1 where each of said plate means is dished so that each said at least one major portion of said at least one major surface of said diaphragm means substantially underlies a dished portion of each said plate means.

3. The audio system ofclaim 2 where said DC source provides a substantially constant charge to the high resistivity electrically conductive portion of said at least one major surface of said diaphragm means.

4. The audio system ofclaim 3 where said audio frequency voltage output source has a negative feedback input therefrom, and where said electro-mechanical transducer means is electrically connected to saidnegative feedback input 5. The audio system ofclaim 3 where said audio frequency voltage output source is capable of producing a complex audio output signal having a signal voltage providing a field gradient of up to 40 Kv per inch; and where said DC source provides a DC field having a field gradient of from 10 to 40 Kv per inch.

6. The audio system ofclaim 3 where said electro-mechanical transducer means includes at least one pair of aligned, highly insulative spacer blocks, one on each side of said diaphragm and compressively held between the diaphragm surface and the respective plate means spaced therefrom.

7. The audio system of claim 6 further comprising electrically conductive means extending through a pair of aligned spacer blocks and electrically connecting the plate means on a first side of said electro-mechanical transducer means with electrical connector means projecting above the plate means on the second side thereof, so that said electrical connector means is electrically insulated from the plate means on said second side of said electro-mechanical transducer.

8. The audio system ofclaim 4 where said audio frequency voltage output source is capable of producing a complex audio output signal having a voltage providing a field gradient of up to 40 Kv per inch; and where said DC source provides a DC field having a field gradient of from 10 to 40 Kv per inch.

9. The audio system of claim 6 where the resistance of said high resistance input to said movable diaphragm means is at least 10 megohms; and the resistivity of said at least one high resistivity electrically conductive surface of said diaphragm is at least megohms per unit square.

10. The audio system of claim 8 where the resistance of said high resistance input to said movable diaphragm means is at least 10 megohms; and the resistivity of said at least one high resistivity electrically conductive surface of said diaphragm is at least 100 megohms per unit square.

11. The audio system ofclaim 2 including a further, sealed, enclosure, therefor, outside said plate means, said enclosure having a gaseous medium other than air therein with a dielectric strength at least equal to that of air.

12. The audio system of claim 11 where said gaseous medium is sulphur hexafluoride.

13. An audio system including an audio frequency voltage output source and an electro-mechanical transducer means electrically connected thereto and having an audible power output:

a high output impedance DC source having positive and negative sides and a grounded center-tap so that said positive side is positive with respect to ground and said negative side is negative with respect to ground;

said electro-mechanical transducer means comprising thin, pliant and movable diaphragm means mechanically suspended between a pair of substantially parallel, mechanically rigid, electrically conductive and acoustically substantially transparent plate means;

said diaphragm means having two major surfaces and being electrically conductive over at least one major portion of at least one of said major surfaces; each said at least one major portion of said at least one major surface of said diaphragm means being bounded at its periphery by a portion of said diaphragm surface which is substantially electrically non-conductive.

said negative and positive sides of said DC source being connected through high resistance electrical input means to one each of said plates, respectively, said plates each having two major surfaces, and having high resistivity; 14. The audio system ofclaim 13 where said DC source provides a substantially constant charge to said plate means.

15. The audio system ofclaim 14 where said electromechanical transducer means includes at least one pair of aligned, highly insulative spacer blocks, one on each side of said diaphragm and compressively held between the diaphragm surface and the respective plate means spaced therefrom.

16. The audio system of claim 15 further comprising electrically conductive means extending through a pair of aligned spacer blocks and electrically connecting the plate means on a first side of said electro-mechanical transducer means with electrical connector means projecting above the plate means on the second side thereof, so that said electrical connector means is electrically insulated from the plate means on said second side of said electro-mechanical transducer.

17. The audio system ofclaim 16 where the resistance of said high resistance input to said plate means is at least 10 megohms; and the resistivity of said plates is at least megohms per unit square.

* k I I

Claims (17)

1. An audio system including an audio frequency voltage output source and an electro-mechanical transducer means electrically connected thereto and having an audible power output: wherein a substantially balanced, center-tapped voltage divider means is connected across said voltage output source, and said center-tap is connected through a DC source and a high resistance electrical input to thin, pliant and movable diaphragm means in said electro-mechanical transducer means; said diaphragm means having two major surfaces and being electrically conductive with high resistivity over at least one major portion of at least one of said major surfaces; said diaphragm being mechanically suspended between substantially parallel, mechanically rigid, electrically conductive and acoustically substantially transparent plate means; said plate means being electrically connected across said audio frequency voltage output source; each said At least one major portion of said at least one major surface of said diaphragm means being bounded at its periphery by a portion of said diaphragm surface which is substantially electrically nonconductive.

2. The audio system of claim 1 where each of said plate means is dished so that each said at least one major portion of said at least one major surface of said diaphragm means substantially underlies a dished portion of each said plate means.

3. The audio system of claim 2 where said DC source provides a substantially constant charge to the high resistivity electrically conductive portion of said at least one major surface of said diaphragm means.

4. The audio system of claim 3 where said audio frequency voltage output source has a negative feedback input therefrom, and where said electro-mechanical transducer means is electrically connected to said negative feedback input

5. The audio system of claim 3 where said audio frequency voltage output source is capable of producing a complex audio output signal having a signal voltage providing a field gradient of up to 40 Kv per inch; and where said DC source provides a DC field having a field gradient of from 10 to 40 Kv per inch.

6. The audio system of claim 3 where said electro-mechanical transducer means includes at least one pair of aligned, highly insulative spacer blocks, one on each side of said diaphragm and compressively held between the diaphragm surface and the respective plate means spaced therefrom.

7. The audio system of claim 6 further comprising electrically conductive means extending through a pair of aligned spacer blocks and electrically connecting the plate means on a first side of said electro-mechanical transducer means with electrical connector means projecting above the plate means on the second side thereof, so that said electrical connector means is electrically insulated from the plate means on said second side of said electro-mechanical transducer.

8. The audio system of claim 4 where said audio frequency voltage output source is capable of producing a complex audio output signal having a voltage providing a field gradient of up to 40 Kv per inch; and where said DC source provides a DC field having a field gradient of from 10 to 40 Kv per inch.

9. The audio system of claim 6 where the resistance of said high resistance input to said movable diaphragm means is at least 10 megohms; and the resistivity of said at least one high resistivity electrically conductive surface of said diaphragm is at least 100 megohms per unit square.

10. The audio system of claim 8 where the resistance of said high resistance input to said movable diaphragm means is at least 10 megohms; and the resistivity of said at least one high resistivity electrically conductive surface of said diaphragm is at least 100 megohms per unit square.

11. The audio system of claim 2 including a further, sealed, enclosure, therefor, outside said plate means, said enclosure having a gaseous medium other than air therein with a dielectric strength at least equal to that of air.

12. The audio system of claim 11 where said gaseous medium is sulphur hexafluoride.

13. An audio system including an audio frequency voltage output source and an electro-mechanical transducer means electrically connected thereto and having an audible power output: a high output impedance DC source having positive and negative sides and a grounded center-tap so that said positive side is positive with respect to ground and said negative side is negative with respect to ground; said electro-mechanical transducer means comprising thin, pliant and movable diaphragm means mechanically suspended between a pair of substantially parallel, mechanically rigid, electrically conductive and acoustically substantially transparent plate means; said diaphragm means having two major surfaces and being electrically conductive over at leasT one major portion of at least one of said major surfaces; each said at least one major portion of said at least one major surface of said diaphragm means being bounded at its periphery by a portion of said diaphragm surface which is substantially electrically non-conductive. said negative and positive sides of said DC source being connected through high resistance electrical input means to one each of said plates, respectively, said plates each having two major surfaces, and having high resistivity;

14. The audio system of claim 13 where said DC source provides a substantially constant charge to said plate means.

15. The audio system of claim 14 where said electro-mechanical transducer means includes at least one pair of aligned, highly insulative spacer blocks, one on each side of said diaphragm and compressively held between the diaphragm surface and the respective plate means spaced therefrom.

16. The audio system of claim 15 further comprising electrically conductive means extending through a pair of aligned spacer blocks and electrically connecting the plate means on a first side of said electro-mechanical transducer means with electrical connector means projecting above the plate means on the second side thereof, so that said electrical connector means is electrically insulated from the plate means on said second side of said electro-mechanical transducer.

17. The audio system of claim 16 where the resistance of said high resistance input to said plate means is at least 10 megohms; and the resistivity of said plates is at least 100 megohms per unit square.

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