| 摘要 |
A directional waveguide array apparatus can transmit and/or receive airborne or fluid-borne audio with the appropriate selection of transducers. The present invention advances directional waveguide arrays by allowing construction of a directional audio device with desired frequency bandwidths, array patterns, and gain by appropriate geometric configurations of the array of waveguide channel ports, as well as dimensioning and configuration of waveguide channel and chamber parameters. Embodiments of the present invention enable increased immunity to environmental noises, temperature, and humidity; low cost of construction; high reliability; simplicity of operation; very low power consumption; real-time steering of directivity (interference) pattern; wide range of audio powers that can be transmitted or received; and interchangeable transducer types. |
| 主权项 |
1. A directional waveguide array apparatus comprising:
a planar exterior surface, the planar exterior surface having a plurality of apertures defining waveguide ports, the plurality of apertures being arranged on the planar exterior surface according to a predetermined interference pattern; a plurality of waveguide channels coupled to the planar exterior surface in alignment with the plurality of apertures, the plurality of waveguide channels comprising substantially varying tubular lengths corresponding to the predetermined interference pattern; at least one-combining chamber coupled to a terminal portion of the plurality of waveguide channels, the at least one combining chamber having an interior portion defining a resonant cavity operable to interface a sound path from the plurality of waveguide channels to at least one transducer; a plurality of transducer electrical cables operably engaged with the at least one transducer and at least one electrical connector; and, an electronics module operably engaged with the at least one electrical connector, the electronics module comprising: a printed circuit board having filtering, gain control, and input-output circuitry; at least one output channel operably engaged with the printed circuit board; and at least one input channel operably engaged with the printed circuit board. |
