U.S. patent number 3,872,470 [Application Number 05/352,145] was granted by the patent office on 1975-03-18 for audible signal generating apparatus having selectively controlled audible output.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Airco Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard D. Hoerz, Donald J. Propp.
United States Patent |
3,872,470 |
Hoerz , et al. |
March 18, 1975 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
AUDIBLE SIGNAL GENERATING APPARATUS HAVING SELECTIVELY CONTROLLED
AUDIBLE OUTPUT
Abstract
A ceramic crystal transducer is connected to a direct current
supply in series with a pair of transistors. A pair of independent
multivibrator oscillators are connected, each controlling one of
the transistors. Each oscillator establishes a rectangular wave and
is provided with a continuously adjustable resistor for controlling
the output frequency of the corresponding oscillator. The one
oscillator is constructed to produce a frequency and a voltage to
excite the crystal at the order of the natural resonant frequency
and to thereby produce an audio output signal. The second
multivibrator oscillator selectively controls the second transistor
to control the on/off or pulsing rate of the tone related audible
signal. The crystal is pulsed at the output rate of the tone
oscillator and vibrates at the fundamental frequency of the
rectangular wave as well as harmonics to either side of such
fundamental frequency to produce a full and pleasant sound.
Variation of the repetition rate of the output signal of the tone
generator to either side of the natural resonant frequency of the
crystal correspondingly varies the pitch and intensity of the
emitted sound to distinguish adjacent alarms. The pulse rate
oscillator permits further distinction by adjustment of the signal
duty cycle.
Inventors: |
Hoerz; Richard D. (Madison,
WI), Propp; Donald J. (Madison, WI) |
Assignee: |
Airco Inc. (New York,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23383970 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/352,145 |
Filed: |
April 18, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/384.72;
310/317; 310/324; 331/47; 331/113R; 327/185 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
3/10 (20130101); G10K 9/122 (20130101); B06B
2201/55 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G10K
9/00 (20060101); G08B 3/00 (20060101); G08B
3/10 (20060101); G10K 9/122 (20060101); B06B
1/02 (20060101); G08b 019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/384R,384E,416
;179/11A ;310/8.2,8.5,8.6,9.1,8.1 ;331/113R,47 ;307/247R,250
;325/105 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
shakib, J., Variable-Tone Oscillator, IBM Technical Disclosure
Bulletin, Vol. 10, March 1972, No. 10..
|
Primary Examiner: Caldwell; John W.
Assistant Examiner: Wannisky; William M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rathbun; Roger M. Bopp; Edmund W.
Mathews; H. Hume
Claims
1. An audible signal generating circuit comprising a power source
means, an electro-acoustical crystal transducer having a natural
resonant frequency and generating an audible output of
predetermined pitch and amplitude in response to electrical
excitation at said resonant frequency and of a different pitch and
lower amplitude in response to electrical excitation at a frequency
above and below said resonant frequency, a non-sinusoid signal
generator means establishing a periodic signal including a
fundamental frequency and a plurality of harmonic frequencies and
having an adjustable repetition rate selection means to selectively
establish the output repetition rate of the signal generator and
thereby select said fundamental frequency and harmonic frequencies,
and a switch means coupling the transducer to the power source
means and having an input means connected to said signal generator
to selectively energize said transducer at the selected repetition
rate and thereby establish an audible signal of a related pitch and
of an amplitude which varies inversely with the difference between
said resonant frequency and said
2. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 1 wherein said
signal
3. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 2 wherein said
power source means includes a direct current supply and said signal
generator signal turns said switch means on and off to apply and
remove the direct
4. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 1 wherein said
switch means is a transistor means, said signal generator being a
free-running multivibrator having a pair of transistors connected
in common emitter circuit connection to the power source means and
having a pair of resistance-capacitance coupling circuits, each of
said coupling circuits connecting the base of one transistor and
the power source means and the collector of the opposite
transistor, at least one of said coupling circuits having a means
to vary the resistance-capacitance time constant
5. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 1 wherein said
signal generator is a free-running multivibrator circuit having a
pair of resistance-capacitance coupled transistors and having a
fixed resistance-capacitance coupling to provide a constant period
for one transistor and having an adjustable resistance-capacitance
coupling to
6. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 1 including a
control signal generator establishing a further periodic signal and
having an adjustable repetition rate selection means to selectively
establish the output repetition rate of the second periodic signal
frequency and harmonic frequencies and a second switch means
coupling the transducer to the power source means and having an
input means connected to said second signal generator to
selectively operably enable and disable said first
7. An audible signal generating circuit comprising a direct current
power source means, an electro-acoustical crystal transducer having
a natural resonant frequency and generating an audible output of
predetermined pitch and amplitude in response to electrical
excitation at said resonant frequency and of a different pitch and
amplitude for frequencies above and below said resonant frequency,
a rectangular wave signal generator establishing a rectangular wave
signal including a fundamental sine wave frequency and a plurality
of harmonic frequencies and having a continuously adjustable timing
means to selectively establish the period of the signal and thereby
change said fundamental frequency and harmonic frequencies, and a
solid state switch means connected in series with the transducer
and the power source means and having an input means connected to
said signal generator to selectively energize said transducer
during one-half of the rectangular wave signal and thereby
establish an audible signal of a related pitch and of an amplitude
which decreases as the difference between said fundamental
frequency and said resonant frequency
8. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 7 wherein said
signal generator is a free-running multivibrator circuit having a
pair of resistance-capacitance coupled transistors and having a
fixed resistance-capacitance coupling to provide a constant period
for one transistor and having an adjustable resistance-capacitance
coupling to vary the corresponding period, of the second transistor
one of said transistors having an output connected to turn said
switch means on and
9. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 8 wherein said
adjustable timing means is a variable resistor means adapted to
vary the
10. The audible signal generator circuit of claim 7 including a
second solid state switch means connected in series with the first
solid state switch means, a second square wave signal generator
operable at a substantially lower frequency range than said first
signal generator and having a continuously adjustable timing means
to selectively establish the period of one-half of the signal from
the second signal generator, said second signal generator being
connected to operate the second switch means to selectively control
the energization of said transducer from said first
11. An audible alarm apparatus comprising, an electro-acoustical
crystal transducer having a natural resonant frequency and
generating an audible output of predetermined pitch and amplitude
in response to electrical excitation at said resonant frequency and
of a different pitch and amplitude in response to electrical
excitation at a different frequency, and non-sinusoid signal
generator means coupled to excite said transducer and establish a
periodic excitation signal including a fundamental frequency and a
plurality of harmonic frequencies, said signal generator means
having a continuously adjustable repetition rate selection means
for selectively establishing the output repetition rate of the
signal generator and thereby selecting said fundamental frequency
and harmonic frequencies, and adjustment means for adjusting said
selection means to selectively energize said transducer at a
preselected repetition rate and
12. The audible alarm apparatus of claim 11 employing a plurality
of said crystal transducers and a corresponding plurality of said
signal generators to provide individual non-sinsusoidal
energization of the transducers, said signal generators having the
selection means preset to
13. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 1 wherein said
electro-acoustical crystal transducer includes a support housing
having an annular mounting ridge projecting outwardly from a base
to an outer line of contact defining a flat 360.degree. crystal
mounting surface, said transducer being a plate-like crystal unit
mounted within the housing abutting the mounting surface of the
ridge, a lens unit secured to the housing and having a cavity
adjacent the crystal unit with a clamping projection aligned with
said mounting ridge and having a corresponding line contact surface
abutting said crystal unit, said lens unit having a projecting wall
extending from the base of the cavity and said base having a
central opening coaxial of the crystal element, a reflector secured
within the projecting wall in spaced relation to said central
opening and
14. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 13 wherein said
electro-acoustical crystal transducer additionally includes
adhesive means for fixedly attaching the crystal to the ridge
mounting surface, said adhesive means being limited to an amount
required for firm mounting of
15. The audible signal generating circuit of claim 13 wherein said
housing of said crystal transducer includes a tubular wall
encircling said crystal unit and said lens unit with said wall
spaced outwardly of the crystal unit, said lens unit having a
flange fixedly attached to said tubular wall, said projecting wall
of the lens unit being an annular wall with a stepped cross section
defining an intermediate reflector support wall, said reflector
being a disc-like element having a diameter slightly less than the
largest inner diameter of the annular wall and greater than said
support wall, and a plurality of mounting pads secured to the
reflector in circumferentially spaced relation and projecting
outwardly to said largest inner diameter and being secured to the
support wall to mount the reflector in predetermined spaced
relation to the cavity opening.
Description
This invention relates to an audible signal generating apparatus
having means to selectively establish the audible output
characteristic.
Audible signals, particularly for alarm conditions and the like,
have advantages over visual type signals, particularly with respect
to the ability of attracting the attention of the necessary
personnel. Steady state audible signals, such as provided by
certain horns, buzzers and similar driven devices, may, however, be
masked by relatively high noise levels in the adjacent environment
or ambient. Further, personnel with various hearing defects have
difficulty hearing particular noise levels or audible signals of a
particular frequency. Various systems have therefore been provided
to produce a pulsed or beep type sound by establishing a fixed
frequency signal with a fixed rate of interruption of such signal.
The sound interruption may be controlled by an on/off device or by
a level modulating device to control the output signal between
various levels and produce a warble type signal. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,487,404 discloses a pair of multi-vibrators or
oscillators interconnected to drive an output horn. Under one
condition, only one of the oscillators drives the horn to indicate
for example a fire alarm condition. In response to a burglar or
other alternate alarm condition, the same oscillator output drives
the horn, but the second oscillator modulates the first oscillator
to provide a warbled output. A pair of cascaded multivibrators for
a similar application is shown in the IBM Technical Disclosure
Bulletin of Mar. 1972, Volume 14, No. 10. A similar concept is
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,110 employing a pair of cascaded
unijunction oscillators driving a speaker. In the latter patent,
switch means are provided for adjusting the tone frequency and/or
the modulating frequency. Although such systems have been employed
there are certain disadvantages from the standpoint of size,
complexity and power requirements.
The development of ceramic transducers of an electro-acoustical
nature has permitted the construction of an audible alarm which
avoids some of the disadvantages of the prior art devices. A
ceramic crystal has a natural resonant frequency and when excited
electrically by an audio frequency signal, it tends to mechanically
oscillate by itself as a result of its physical construction. When
activated, the oscillating crystal creates a high intensity air
vibration which of course is related to and provides a sound of the
corresponding frequency. For example, a crystal alarm is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,569,963 with such a ceramic transducer connected
in the feedback path of an audio tone oscillator. The oscillator
produces a sine wave output at the natural frequency of the crystal
and which is applied to the transducer, resulting in high frequency
vibration thereof with a corresponding audible output. To provide
an interrupted signal, a sub-audio frequency driver is connected to
turn the main oscillator on and off and thereby provide an
interruped output tone signal. The use of the ceramic transducer
reduces the power requirements as well as the size and complexity
of the system and thus provides very distinct advantages from a
practical standpoint. Such ceramic transducers are driven
essentially from a sinusoid to provide maximum efficiency with
minimum power input. Thus, the maximum audible intensity signal is
derived when the mechanical vibration of the crystal is energized
at its natural resonant frequency. The oscillator is driven from a
fixed DC signal source and generates a sinusoidal driving signal at
the resonant frequency in order to provide the desired
efficiency.
Although alarm devices are widely employed in industry and the like
they are also advantageously applied to more sophisticated and
complex equipment, for example: for monitoring and/or controlling
medical and physiological functions. For example, hospital areas
for cardiac patients provide various monitoring systems for
continuously monitoring the condition of the patient's heart.
Similarly, infant pulse monitors, respirator monitors and vaporizer
controllers and the like may employ various alarms including
audible units for drawing attention to an abnormal condition.
With present day alarm systems, the several monitoring devices are
normally provided in one or more control areas and the medical
personnel on duty upon receipt of an alarm must search through the
various devices to detect which alarm oriented system has been
activated to indicate an out-of-tolerance perameter.
Further, in present monitoring devices, amplitude control is
provided by varying of a supply voltage. A combined adjustment in
amplitude, pitch and rate thus require three separate
adjustments.
There is, therefore, a need for a small, compact and reliable alarm
device which will permit convenient control and selection of the
audible output characteristic to permit distinction between
adjacent alarms and preferably may include an interrelated visual
indicator such as a lamp.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is particularly directed to a crystal type
audible alarm supplied with a non-sinusoidal driving signal for
selectively and conjointly controlling the frequency of excitation
to control the tone and the amplitude of the alarm signal with a
fuller sound characteristic. In the optimum construction,
individually and separately controlled means are provided for
generating an interrupted tone signal, thereby providing apparatus
with only two adjustments for controlling of the output
characteristic.
Generally in accordance with the present invention, an
electro-acoustical ceramic or similar piezoelectric crystal is
coupled to a power supply with means to selectively excite the
crystal from a non-sinusoidal signal generator over a broad range
of frequency of the order of the natural resonant frequency of the
crystal. In a preferred construction the crystal is excited from a
rectangular wave tone generator. As a result the crystal will
oscillate at a basic fundamental frequency related to the
fundamental frequency of the rectangular wave as well as the
harmonics to either side of such fundamental frequency. The "heard"
sound therefore includes both the basic and harmonic frequencies
and will be a much fuller and more pleasant sound, rather than a
piercing monotone which is generally created from the accepted
sinusoidal excitation of the crystal. In addition, the generator
includes means for varying the basic repetition rate thereof from
the natural resonant frequency of the crystal. The excitation of
the crystal by a rectangular or square wave operating at the
natural resonant frequency of the crystal will produce a
corresponding basic frequency sound signal of a maximum loudness
level. Variation of the repetition rate of the output signal of the
tone generator to either side of such point varies the one of the
sound. Further, the varying of the excitation either above or below
the resonant frequency of the crystal also results in a
corresponding decrease in the intensity of the emitted sound from
the electro-acoustical crystal. The variable duty cycle tone
generator will thus provide a combined amplitude and tone control
permitting ready distinction of closely adjacent alarms by
separately setting of the several devices. More effective
monitoring of various conditions is therefore created.
The breadth and scope of the system can be further increased by the
incorporation of a variable duty cycle rate generator which
functions to continuously control the coupling of the tone
generator to the crystal and therefore provides a selective
interruption of each of the basic signals created by the tone
generator.
In a particularly satisfactory and novel feature of the present
invention, a pair of solid state switches such as transistors
selectively connect the crystal to a power supply connection means.
A pair of independent multivibrator oscillators are connected, one
each controlling the transistor switch means. Each oscillator is
provided with a continuously variable rate adjustment means for
controlling the output frequency of the corresponding oscillator.
The one oscillator is constructed to produce a frequency and a
voltage to excite the crystal at the order of the natural resonant
frequency and to thereby produce an audio output signal. The second
multivibrator oscillator selectively controls the second transistor
to control the on/off or pulsing rate the the tone related audible
signal.
The total unit can be readily packaged as a small compact unit
having a pair of external adjustments for selectively setting each
of the oscillators to produce any desired combination. Thus each
multivibrator oscillator can be conveniently provided with a
potentiometer having an external control which can be readily
adjusted from the exterior portion of the package of the unit.
One or more of the alarms are then coupled to the various devices
to be monitored, with suitable sensing means for activating the
alarms in response to a particular condition. Each unit is set to
provide a unique combination of a tone signal, based on the tone
and amplitude of the sound as well as pulsing of the corresponding
unique sound.
The present invention thus provides a very versatile and readily
controlled alarm particularly adapted for detection of a plurality
of conditions in close proximity.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction
of the present invention in which the above advantages and features
are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be readily
understood from the following description of such illustrated
embodiment.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit illustration of a crystal alarm unit
constructed in accordance with the teaching of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a packaged unit such as
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the components shown in FIGS. 1
and 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view through a crystal
mounting unit shown in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a view taken generally on line 5--5 of FIG. 4, with parts
broken away to show details of construction.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 an
electro-acoustical transducer 1 is illustrated connected across a
suitable DC voltage supply 2 in series with a pair of switching
transistors 3 and 4 and an alarm responsive control transistor 5.
The elector-acoustical transducer 1 is a suitable crystal which
will generate a sound when excited from a relatively high audio
frequency electrical signal of a frequency in the audio range.
Further, the sound generated by the crystal 1 varies in pitch and
amplitude as the energizing frequency varies. In accordance with
the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a first audio
frequency multivibrator 6 is connected as a tone generator to
control the transistor 3 and thereby provide for the selective
application of the power to the crystal 1 at any one of a plurality
of audio frequency rates. A similar subaudio frequency
multivibrator 7 is connected as a beep rate generator to control
the transistor 4 at a much lower frequency and thus effectively
opens and closes the circuit to effectively couple and decouple the
tone generator or multivibrator 6 from the crystal 1. An alarm
sensor 8, which is any suitable means which will respond to the
condition being monitored, provides a signal to the transistor 5
and permits energizing of the transducer 1 in response to an alarm
status.
Each of the transistors 3 - 5 is shown as a similar NPN transistor
with the collector to emitter circuits connected in series with
each other between the transducer and ground. Thus each acts as a
series switch in controlling the application of power to the
crystal transducer 1. The base of the respective transistors 3 and
4 are connected to the output of the switch driving multivibrators
6 and 7, each of which is generally similarly constructed as a
free-running multivibrator having a continuously variable duty
cycle. The base of transistor 5 is connected to the alarm sensor 8
and is held off in the absence of an alarm condition. The
transistor 5 is connected as the ground return of the
multivibrators 6 and 7 as well as the series energizing circuit of
transducer 1 and thereby holds the complete circuit in standby
until an alarm status is encountered.
The crystal 1 can be connected into the circuit through suitable
leads 9 permitting remote location with respect to the control
circuit, if desired or required. A lamp 10 and a resistor 11 may be
connected in parallel with the transducer 1 to provide a visual
indication of the particular alarm which has been activated. The DC
input resistance of the crystal is very high and the resistor 11
will ensure the initial turn on of the series transistors 3 and 4.
The lamp 10 may of course be located adjacent the audible alarm 1
or in a separate signal board or bank, not shown.
Both of the multivibrators 6 and 7 provide a square wave output
with the duty cycle independently adjustable as presently described
to thereby provide a dual control of the energization rate of the
crystal 1. The on/off switching of the transistor 4 turns the
circuit for crystal 1 on and off at the relative slow rate. The
transistor 3 is turned on and off by the square wave output of
generator 6 at a much higher frequency and, when switch 4 is on,
correspondingly excites the crystal at the frequency level.
The crystal 1 is therefore connected to supply 2 for excitation
from a non-sinusoid source and in particular in accordance with a
rectangular wave. As a result the crystal 1 will be operated at the
fundamental sine wave frequency of the rectangular wave signal of
generator 6 and a plurality of accompanying harmonics. The
combination of the fundamental and harmonic excitation creates
sound which is much fuller than that associated with only the
natural resonant sinusoid and will present a more acceptable sound.
Further, a change in the rectangular wave basic repetition rate or
frequency creates a corresponding change in the fundamental sine
wave frequency and the accompanying harmonics. The sound pitch of
the crystal 1 is directly related to the basic repetition rate. By
providing a continuously variable frequency control, various
similar alarm devices may vary in pitch.
In addition, a maximum intensity signal is established when the
crystal 1 is excited with a rectangular wave having a fundamental
frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonant frequency of the
crystal. Variation of the basic repetition rate and thus the
fundamental frequency of the rectangular wave above or below such
natural resonant frequency results in a correspondingly decreased
sound level or amplitude. The tone generator 6 therefore provides a
combined amplitude and tone control integrated into a single
control unit. This is particularly desirable when combined with the
variable duty cycle of the rate generator 7 which through the
corresponding switching of the transistor 4 produces an interrupted
sound signal.
More particularly, the tone generator 6 is a free running
oscillator 6 having a pair of NPN transistors 12 and 13 connected
to the power supply 2, with collector load resistors 14 and 15. The
base of transistor 12 is connected to the supply 2 through a
resistor 16 and through a capacitor 17 in series with the load
resistor 15 of the transistor 13 and thus to the collector of such
transistor. The base of the transistor 13 in turn is similarly
connected in series with a capacitor 18 to the collector of the
transistor 12. A resistor 19 in series with a potentiometer 20 is
connected directly between the base of the transistor 13 and the
supply 2. The potentiometer 20 includes a variable tap 21 for
controlling the resistance of the bias and coupling connection.
The transistors 12 and 13 are shown as common emitter connected NPN
transistors connected to a common ground by the transistor 5 and
with their collectors connected through the load resistances to the
voltage source 2. The collectors of the two transistor 12-13 are
connected by the capacitors 17 and 18 to the base of the opposite
transistor and each transistor in turn has a turn on bias resistor
connected between the base and the power supply 2.
In accordance with usual operation, the coupling capacitors 17 and
18 are charged and then discharge through the paralleled resistors,
with the resistance level controlling the conduction period and
initiation of the conduction by the opposite transistor. The period
of the capacitor 17 is fixed as the resistors 15 and 16 are fixed.
The period of the capacitor 18 is adjustable in accordance with the
setting of the potentiometer 20. Thus, the time required for the
capacitor 18 to discharge and allow the transistor 13 to conduct,
and thereby turn off transistor 12, is set by the potentiometer.
Driving transistor 12 on and off results in a corresponding change
of collector voltage between the supply voltage level and ground.
The circuit continuously operates with alternate conduction of the
transistors 12 and 13 and thereby generating a relatively
essentially rectangular wave output signal at the collector of
transistor 12.
This rectangular wave signal is applied via a resistor 22 to the
base of the transistor 3. When the transistor 12 is driven into
saturation, the collector is essentially at ground and the
transistor 3 will be biased off. When the transistor 12 is cut off
however, the collector voltage rapidly rises to the supply voltage
thereby driving the transistor 3 on. Thus the transistor 3 is
driven on and off at the pulse rate established by the square wave
signals appearing at the collector of the transistor 12 which, in
turn, is controlled by the setting of potentiometer 20. This of
course will in turn provide a corresponding energization of the
crystal transducer 1 from the supply if the rate control transistor
4 and the alarm control transistor 5 are both on and
conductive.
The multivibrator 7 is similar to the multivibrator 6, with a
variable potentiometer 23 connected into the circuit to control the
on/off timing period of the transistor 4. Thus, the multivibrator 7
includes a pair of transistors 24 and 25 connected to the supply 2
and with each of the bases connected to the supply to the output of
the opposite transistor through resistance-capacitance networks 26
and 27. The collector of transistor 25 is connected by a resistor
28 to the base of transistor 4. The variable potentiometer 23 in
network 27 includes an adjustable tap 29 permitting adjustment of
the duty cycle of generator 7 and particularly the voltage at the
collector of transistor 25 in the same basic manner as a
multivibrator 6.
Although the multivibrator circuits 6 and 7 are illustrated in a
similar manner, the components are selected to provide widely
varying pulse repetition rates. Thus the pulse generator 6 as
previously noted provides an output in the audio frequency range;
for example, in the range of 3,000 Hertz (3KHz). The beep or rate
interruption generator 7 on the other hand will operate at a much
lesser frequency, for example, on the order of 5 pulses per second,
with a duty cycle of 20 to 50 percent of the total time period.
Thus, the transistor 25 will be cut off from 20 to 50 percent of
each total on/off period to produce a corresponding on time of the
transistor 4 during which period, the switching of transistor 3
energizes the crystal 1 to create a corresponding sound signal, if
the alarm condition is sensed to hold transistor 5 on.
In summary, the oscillator 7 is set to preselect the alarm signal
rate in response to an alarm condition while oscillator 6 is set to
vary not only the tone or pitch of the associated alarm but to
simultaneously vary the level of the sound. The two settings thus
provide a means to vary the signal rate as well as its pitch and
its amplitude. A plurality of different conditions can therefore be
simultaneously monitored by a corresponding plurality of units and
an actuation of a particular alarm more readily and rapidly
detected. Further, the non-sinusoidal excitation provides a very
distinct improvement in the heard sound characteristic and adapts
the system to areas where an alarm condition is often the rule
rather than the exception.
The circuit can be readily formed as a small, compact package, such
as shown in FIG. 2, with external controls for setting of the
potentiometers 20 and 23. In FIGS. 1 and 2, rotatable control knobs
30 and 31 are coupled to the respective taps 21 and 29 for
selectively controlling the presetting of the particular sound
characteristic.
Although the present invention can employ any suitable packaging, a
particularly satisfactory and novel construction is shown in FIGS.
3 - 5.
Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the crystal transducer 1 and
associated circuitry is mounted within a separate housing or unit
32 having power leads for connection to the variable DC supply 2. A
plug-in type coupling 33 provides a convenient circuit connection
to the potentiometers 20 and 23.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, the unit 32 includes a
housing 34 having a circuit module 35 clamped within the housing by
a suitable clamping ring 36 which is attached to the housing by
suitable attachment screws. A connecting cable 37 includes the
leads to the releasable connector unit 33 and to the supply 2.
The housing 34 includes an inner base 38 spaced slightly from the
module 35 and defines an outer chamber or cavity within which the
transducer 1 is especially mounted. The base 38 is formed with a
annular ridge 39 within the transducer cavity.
The crystal transducer 1 is generally a multi-layer wafer or
disc-like unit with a smaller electrode plate 40 slightly larger
than the diameter of the ridge 39 and a larger plate 41. The
transducer is mounted with plate 40 abutting the ridge 39. The
ridge 39 has a triangular cross section as shown in FIG. 2 to
define a line type support for the transducer 1.
The transducer 1 is secured to the ridge 39 by a suitable adhesive
42 such as a silicon rubber, with the crystal lying flat completely
about the ridge. The amount of adhesive employed should be the
minimum amount necessary to firmly attach the crystal so as not to
interfere with the desired sound producing characteristics of the
crystal element.
The housing base 38 includes a suitable opening 43 which extends
through the ridge 39 to receive the connecting leads 9 which are
connected respectively one each to the two elements of the
transducer 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
The outer wall 44 of housing 34 which further difines the
transducer cavity is of a slightly greater diameter than the
maximum diameter of the crystal plate 41 to establish and maintain
a continuous space or gap 45 between the periphery of the crystal
and the housing wall 44 to permit free operation of the excited
crystal.
A special lens unit 46 has a mounting flange 47 with an outer
diameter generally correponding to the inner diameter of the
annular wall 44. The flange 47 and wall 44 are similarly threaded.
The lens unit 46 is threaded into the housing and firmly
interconnected with wall 44 by a suitable adhesive bonding material
48.
An annular projection 49 on the inntermost face of the lens 46
defines an annular ridge abutting the transducer 1. The ridge 49
has a similar triangular end cross section, with the line apex
accurately aligned with the line contact provided by corresponding
ridge 39. The lens unit 46 is secured in the housing 44 with the
line edge of projection 49 in firm engagement with the transducer
1. Thus, lens unit 46 is threaded into wall 44 until a firm
engagement with the crystal 1 is made after which it is sealed in
place by the adhesive 48. The clamping ridges 39 and 49 are
selected to produce the desired accurate node mounting of the
crystal 1.
A plurality of openings 50 are formed in the flange 47 of lens unit
46 outwardly of the ridge 49. As shown in FIG. 5, the illustrated
embodiment of the invention has first and second groups of openings
50 provided in diametrically opposite side portions with the
openings symmetrically spaced and with approximately thirty degrees
between the openings. Additional top and bottom openings 50 are
also shown.
The inner portion of the lens unit 46 is recessed to define a
cavity 51 within ridge 49 and having an outer base wall 52 spaced
from the crystal 1. The base wall 52 of the cavity in turn includes
a central sound transmitting opening 53, which leads to a stepped
outer recess in the outermost face of the lens unit 46.
A sound reflector disc 54 is secured in spaced overlying relation
to the opening 53 within the outer recess and attached to a flat
wall 55 defined by the stepped construction. The disc 54 has a
slightly smaller diameter than that of the outermost portion of the
recess and is provided with a plurality of three
equicircumferentially spaced pads 56 on the outer edge portion. The
pads 56 project radially therefrom with the outer edges lying on a
diameter essentially corresponding to the diameter of the outer
recess. The pads 56 rest on the wall 55 and hold the disc with a
slight space 57 about the periphery. The disc 54 is secured in
position by a suitable adhesive 58 between the pads 56 and the
supporting wall 55.
The outer wall 42 of the lens unit 46 may be threaded as shown for
mounting within an opening by a suitable mounting nut, not
shown.
The housing components 34, 36 and 47 as well as disc 54 can, of
course, be formed of any suitable material, those illustrated being
a suitable plastic such as a general purpose ABS plastic.
The the sound generated by the electrical energization of the
crystal transducer 1 is transmitted through the transmitting
opening 53 and about the reflector disc. The size of the transducer
cavity, as well as the relative placement of the mounting node
produced by ridges 39 and 49 and the reflector disc 54 all
contribute to optimum sound transmission. For example, in a
satisfactory unit such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting node
39 had a diameter of 0.812 inches with the depth of the cavity to
the transmission opening 53 being 0.375 inches and to the disc 54
being 0.562 inches. The intermediate wall or base had a thickness
of approximately 0.125 inches with a transmission opening diameter
of approximately 0.250 inches. The disc 54 was 0.025 inch thick ABS
plastic of a diameter of 0.650 inches and was spaced from the
opening by 0.112 inches. The spacing was formed by spacing of the
ridge wall approximately 0.062 inches outwardly and pads 56 having
a thickness of 0.050 inches. The outer recess projects outwardly a
total of 0.250 inches with the diameter of the inner portion
approximately 0.625 inches and the outer portion 0.750 inches. The
system was driven from a 22 volt variable DC supply 2 and gave an
output signal with the DC voltage above ten volts DC.
It has been found that the illustrated mounting provides a
particularly satisfactory method of generating a sound signal in
response to energization of the crystal transducer from the
preferred circuit such as shown in FIG. 1.
The present invention thus provides an alarm having means varying
the basic pitch and amplitude of the tone signal, as well as
controlling the interruption of such signal to further vary the
sound characteristic. The unit can be physically compact and driven
over from a wide range of available supply voltages.
Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as
being within the scope of the following claims, particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is
regarded as the invention.
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