has anybody ever seen a "surface driver"?

unclejed613 · 26th February 2007, 04:09 AM

i saw one of these devices back in the '70's. it consisted of a woofer magnet with a steel plate attached to it rather than a cone. it could be mounted on a surface, such as a floor, that would become a sounding board. the particular one i saw was rated at 250 or 300w. i have been looking for something similar for an idea i have, but the compny that made the one i saw has vanished...... IIRC the name of the company was Planar Sound out of North Carolina and the device was called a Sound Plate.

the company i work for has a speaker reconing shop, and i'm thinking of describing the sound plate to the reconing tech to see if we can make one. if the thing was patented, the patent could be expired by now.......

unclejed613 · 26th February 2007, 05:17 AM

i found something similar in patent 4514599 with a piston driven by a voice coil, and the piston attaches to a car body to transmit sound.

mightydub · 26th February 2007, 05:24 AM

you mean like these:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=299-028

or these:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=300-950

?

Renron · 27th February 2007, 01:47 AM

I worked on a high end home once that had hockey puck transducers on the inside of the sheerock walls, they made the entire sheetrock a "cone" abiet as flat one. They did not have any highs and the mid was not very clear though.
Ron

Paul Burton · 27th February 2007, 10:26 AM

unclejed613,

Check this out:

http://www.soundbug.biz/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1879247.stm

There have been "knockers" or "shakers" around for many years. The above is a magnetostictrive variant. It's not hi-fi, but it certainly works.

There is also a system called "Whispering windows" that caused a minor stir in London in 2003 when it was installed in a shop window display in the flagship John Lewis store in Oxford Street:

http://www.whisperingwindows.co.za/

It later showed up in a bank window in Cambridge, and probably elsewhere as well, but that is where I encountered it. Although quiet, it did work, although it seemed not to attract much attention - maybe the naff advertising being "broadcast" on a flat screen TV on the other side of the window wasn't compelling enough...

Paul

ThomasW · 25th March 2007, 06:56 PM

http://www.lederers.com/rolen.htm

26th February 2007, 04:09 AM	#1
unclejed613 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006	has anybody ever seen a "surface driver"? i saw one of these devices back in the '70's. it consisted of a woofer magnet with a steel plate attached to it rather than a cone. it could be mounted on a surface, such as a floor, that would become a sounding board. the particular one i saw was rated at 250 or 300w. i have been looking for something similar for an idea i have, but the compny that made the one i saw has vanished...... IIRC the name of the company was Planar Sound out of North Carolina and the device was called a Sound Plate. the company i work for has a speaker reconing shop, and i'm thinking of describing the sound plate to the reconing tech to see if we can make one. if the thing was patented, the patent could be expired by now....... __________________ Vintage Audio and Pro-Audio repair ampz(removethis)@sohonet.net spammer trap: http://www1284177414881.v-dc.net/

26th February 2007, 05:17 AM	#2
unclejed613 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006	i found something similar in patent 4514599 with a piston driven by a voice coil, and the piston attaches to a car body to transmit sound. __________________ Vintage Audio and Pro-Audio repair ampz(removethis)@sohonet.net spammer trap: http://www1284177414881.v-dc.net/

27th February 2007, 01:47 AM	#4
Renron diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sacramento	I worked on a high end home once that had hockey puck transducers on the inside of the sheerock walls, they made the entire sheetrock a "cone" abiet as flat one. They did not have any highs and the mid was not very clear though. Ron __________________ "If it doesn't work properly, hope it catches on fire"- Nelson Pass @ BA3

27th February 2007, 10:26 AM	#5
Paul Burton diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	Direct excitation of surfaces unclejed613, Check this out: http://www.soundbug.biz/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1879247.stm There have been "knockers" or "shakers" around for many years. The above is a magnetostictrive variant. It's not hi-fi, but it certainly works. There is also a system called "Whispering windows" that caused a minor stir in London in 2003 when it was installed in a shop window display in the flagship John Lewis store in Oxford Street: http://www.whisperingwindows.co.za/ It later showed up in a bank window in Cambridge, and probably elsewhere as well, but that is where I encountered it. Although quiet, it did work, although it seemed not to attract much attention - maybe the naff advertising being "broadcast" on a flat screen TV on the other side of the window wasn't compelling enough... Paul

25th March 2007, 06:56 PM	#6
ThomasW diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: 5280'	http://www.lederers.com/rolen.htm __________________ Cult of the Infinitely Baffled (Resource for IB sub builders)


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

26th February 2007, 05:24 AM	#3
mightydub diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Where the sky loves the sea	you mean like these: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=299-028 or these: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=300-950 ?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What makes an amplifier "bright", "warm", or "neutral"?	JohnS	Solid State	51	13th December 2009 07:42 PM
"Surface-mount HD DIP"?!? Help!	slor	Parts	2	21st April 2008 11:22 PM
12" "guitar" driver in Audio Speakers	jwhit67	Multi-Way	4	11th February 2008 03:47 PM
Hi Res 550mm Fresnel Lens Set, 15"x11" First Surface Mirror, 6.3" IR/UV Filter, More!	Ben_Tech	Swap Meet	0	22nd September 2007 11:49 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read