Acoustic valve for hearing device
US10932069B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2019 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/11
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Acoustic valves include a housing having an acoustic inlet, an acoustic outlet, and an acoustic passage between the inlet and the outlet. An electrical coil is disposed in the housing and configured to generate a magnetic field when energized by an actuation signal. A spring is coupled to an armature movably disposed in the housing between a first surface and a second surface. The valve has a first stable state wherein the armature is positioned against one surface when the electrical coil is not energized, and the valve has a second stable state wherein the armature is positioned against the other surface when the electrical coil is not energized. The armature is movable between the first and second states when the electrical coil is energized, wherein the acoustic passage is more obstructed when the armature is in one state than when the armature is in the other state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.