IP Library Granted Patent US 7,349,207
Granted Patent B2
US 7,349,207 · App. 11/222,013 · Granted Mar 25, 2008

Heat dissipating audio systems and methods thereof

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,349,207
App. No.
11/222,013
Granted
Mar 25, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An audio system includes a housing which has at least one port, at least one speaker driver with a diaphragm located in the housing, a tube made of one or more thermally conductive materials and having at least two openings, and at least one electronic component which is thermally coupled to the tube. The tube is at least partially located in the housing with one of the openings of the tube at least adjacent to the port of the housing. Movement of the diaphragm helps move air into and out of the tube to dissipate heat.

Claims (46)

1. An audio system comprising:

a housing which has at least one port;

at least one speaker driver with a diaphragm located in the housing;

a tube with at least two openings, the tube is at least partially located in the housing with one of the openings of the tube at least adjacent to the port of the housing, wherein movement of the diaphragm moves air into and out of the tube; and

at least one electronic component is thermally coupled to the tube, wherein the tube is made at least partially of one or more thermally conductive materials.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the one of the openings of the tube is connected to the housing adjacent to the port.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the one of the openings of the tube is thermally coupled to the housing adjacent to the port.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the housing is made of one or more thermally conductive materials.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the tube and the portion of the housing are each made of one or more metallic materials.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the other one of the openings of the tube is positioned to direct the air from the tube on at least a portion of the at least one speaker driver.

7. The system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the other one of the openings of the tube is thermally coupled to the at least one speaker driver.

8. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tube further comprises at least one protruding section which extends out from the tube and is thermally coupled to the at least one electronic component.

9. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one electronic component comprises an amplifier.

10. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the speaker driver further comprises:

a first magnet with an opening; and

an electromagnet comprising a conductive coil disposed in the opening of the first magnet, wherein the diaphragm which is connected to the conductive coil oscillates in response to an incoming signal which changes a polarity of the conductive coil.

11. The system as set forth in claim 1 further comprises at least one heat management device.

12. A method of making an audio system, the method comprising:

providing a housing which has at least one port;

locating at least one speaker driver with a diaphragm in the housing;

positioning a tube at least partially in the housing, the tube having at least two openings with one of the openings of the tube at least adjacent to the port of the housing;

thermally coupling at least one electronic component to the tube, wherein the tube is made at least partially of one or more thermally conductive materials; and

positioning the other one of the openings of the tube on at least a portion of the at least one speaker driver to direct the air from the tube.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 further comprising connecting the one of the openings of the tube to the housing adjacent to the port.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13 further comprising thermally coupling the one of the openings of the tube to the housing adjacent to the port.

15. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein at least a portion of the housing is made of one or more thermally conductive materials.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the tube and the portion of the housing are each made of one or more metallic materials.

17. The method as set forth in claim 12 further comprising thermally coupling the other one of the openings of the tube to the at least one speaker driver.

18. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the at least one electronic component comprises an amplifier.

19. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the speaker driver further comprises:

a first magnet with an opening; and

an electromagnet comprising a conductive coil disposed in the opening of the first magnet, wherein the diaphragm which is connected to the conductive coil oscillates in response to an incoming signal which changes a polarity of the conductive coil.

20. A method of dissipating heat in an audio system, the method comprising:

thermally coupling one or more electronic components to a tube, wherein the tube is made at least partially of one or more thermally conductive materials, is located at least partially in a housing, and has at least two openings with one of the openings at least adjacent to a port from the housing; and

moving a diaphragm of a speaker driver in the housing, wherein the other opening of the tube is in the housing and movement of the diaphragm moves air into and out of the tube through the openings.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20 further comprising connecting the one of the openings of the tube to the housing adjacent to the port.

22. The method as set forth in claim 21 wherein at least a portion of the housing is made of one or more thermally conductive materials.

23. The method as set forth in claim 22 wherein the tube and the portion of the housing are each made of one or more metallic materials.

24. The method as set forth in claim 20 further comprising positioning the other one of the openings of the tube to direct the air from the tube on at least a portion of the at least one speaker driver.

25. The method as set forth in claim 24 further comprising thermally coupling the other one of the openings of the tube to the at least one speaker driver.

26. The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the tube further comprises at least one protruding section which extends out from the tube and wherein the thermally coupling further comprises thermally coupling the at least one protruding section to the one or more electronic components.

27. The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the at least one electronic component comprises an amplifier.

28. The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the speaker driver further comprises:

a first magnet with an opening; and

an electromagnet comprising a conductive coil disposed in the opening of the first magnet, wherein the diaphragm which is connected to the conductive coil oscillates in response to an incoming signal which changes a polarity of the conductive coil.

29. The method as set forth in claim 20 further comprising providing at least one heat management device.

Assignments (7)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECUIRTY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RECORDED AT REEL 046539/FRAME 0357 Recorded Nov 18, 2018
From: SANPOWER (HONG KONG) COMPANY LIMITED
To: BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BIG BLUE AUDIO, LLC
Reel/Frame 047597/0847 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 33282/FRAME 664, REEL 36992/FRAME 599, REEL 37333/FRAME 878, AND REEL 39669/FRAME 0205 Recorded Oct 23, 2018
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BIG BLUE AUDIO, LLC; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.
Reel/Frame 047296/0766 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 31, 2018
From: BIG BLUE AUDIO LLC; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 047570/0677 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2018
From: BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BIG BLUE AUDIO LLC
To: SANPOWER (HONG KONG) COMPANY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 046539/0357 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY AGREEMENT FOR PATENTS Recorded Aug 12, 2016
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039669/0205 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2014
From: BIG BLUE AUDIO LLC; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033282/0664 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2014
From: WELLS FARGO BANK
To: BROOKSTONE, INC.; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE PROPERTIES, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BROOKSTONE PUERTO RICO, INC.; BROOKSTONE STORES, INC.; GARDENERS EDEN, INC.; BROOKSTONE MILITARY SALES, INC.; BIG BLUE AUDIO LLC; BNM, LLC
Reel/Frame 033282/0721 →