Patent ID: 6434244
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B06B

Abstract:
An electroacoustic converter for converting electrical energy into mechanical vibrations dimensioned to be resonant at a predetermined frequency, said converter having a longitudinal axis and comprising: a metal front driver mass; a metal back driver mass; a front ceramic stack; a back ceramic stack; a metal spacer disposed between said front and back ceramic stacks; a fastener extending axially of said converter and being coupled to said front and back driver masses to clamp said ceramic stacks and said metal spacer between said front and back driver masses; said front and back ceramic stacks being of a suitable piezoelectric ceramic material such that when energized with alternating electrical power said converter is rendered resonant at said predetermined frequency for vibrations of said frequency traveling longitudinally through said converter whereby said metal spacer is disposed substantially in a nodal region of said longitudinal vibrations, and said back driver mass having a finned peripheral surface to increase its surface area exposed to ambient for enhancing the heat transfer therefrom to ambient.