Throat microphone
A throat microphone includes a cantilevered piezoelectric device 1 having a fixed end 11 supported by a base 3 and a free end with an anchor 4 fixed thereto. The piezoelectric device 1 vibrates to output audio signals in response to vibrations of a throat. The fixed end is attached to the base 3 such that the piezoelectric device 1 vibrates parallel to the surface of the base 3 . A gap is defined between the anchor 4 and the base 3 . The gap is provided with a vibration absorber 5.
1. A throat microphone comprising:
a base having a flat surface; and
a cantilevered piezoelectric device having a fixed end supported by the base,
wherein the piezoelectric device has a free end with an anchor attached thereto and outputs audio signals in response to vibrations of a throat,
the fixed end is fixed to the base and is spaced away from the flat surface of the base so that the piezoelectric device vibrates parallel to the flat surface of the base,
the anchor and the flat surface of the base are separated by a gap without the anchor touching the flat surface of the base, and
a vibration absorber positioned in the gap and extending between the anchor and the flat surface of the base.
2. The throat microphone of claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric device, the anchor, and the vibration absorber are sealed with a sealant on the surface of the base.
3. The throat microphone of claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric device is a piezoelectric bimorph.
4. The throat microphone of claim 1 , wherein the vibration absorber is a viscous liquid.
5. The throat microphone of claim 4 , wherein the viscous liquid is a silicone oil.
6. The throat microphone of claim 1 , wherein the anchor has a surface parallel to the surface of the base.
7. The throat microphone of claim 4 , wherein the gap between the anchor and the surface of the bas has a size allowing the viscous liquid to flow in by capillary action.
8. The throat microphone of claim 2 , wherein the sealant comprises RTV rubber.
9. The throat microphone of claim 1 wherein said gap ranges from 0.05 to 0.2 mm.
10. The throat microphone of claim 9 wherein the vibration absorber is a viscous liquid, and wherein the piezoelectric device, the anchor, and the viscous liquid are sealed with a sealant on the surface of the base.
11. The throat microphone of claim 7 wherein said gap ranges from 0.05 to 0.2 mm.
12. The throat microphone of claim 3 where the piezoelectric biomorph includes bonded surfaces of piezoelectric elements which are perpendicular to the surface of the base.