A vehicle outside microphone unit detects noises outside a vehicle and has a sound channel that has an entry opening terminating at a microphone. In an orientation in which the microphone constitutes an uppermost point of the sound channel, a sound channel makes a bend upwards, starting from the entry opening, and is generally configured as a water drain. Further, a vehicle acoustical system having such a vehicle outside microphone unit and a vehicle having a corresponding vehicle acoustical system are described.

An acoustic waveguide having high-Q resonator characteristics is disclosed and a fabrication method is described. Various waveguide-based test-vehicles, implemented in single crystal silicon and transduced by thin aluminum nitride films, are demonstrated. Silicon resonators with type-I and type-II dispersion characteristics are presented to experimentally justify the analytical mode synthesis technique for realization of high quality-factor silicon Lamb wave resonators. An analytical design procedure is also presented for geometrical engineering of the waveguides to realize high-Q resonators without the need for geometrical suspension through narrow tethers or rigid anchors. The effectiveness of the dispersion engineering methodology is verified through development of experimental test-vehicles in 20 m-thick single-crystal silicon (SCS) waveguides with 500 nm aluminum nitride transducers.

A frame member is attached to an opening in an outer light-reflection plate. The frame member is composed of an inner frame part, and an outer frame part disposed around the inner frame part. A light extraction part is formed between the outer frame part and the inner frame part. The inner frame part is constituted by a separate extraction part that extracts acoustic vibrations and light. A space of the separate extraction part includes, on both ends, a sound intake port on an internal space side where a sound source is disposed, and a sound extraction port formed in the top of the inner frame part so as to open toward the outside of an LED illumination device. The sound intake port and the sound extraction port are formed separated from each other by a prescribed distance, and the space is formed continuously in the inner frame part so as to connect the sound intake port and the sound extraction port.

Methods, systems, devices, and products for ultrasonic borehole logging using an ultrasonic borehole imaging tool in a borehole intersecting the earth formation. Methods may include adjusting a focus for an ultrasonic beam generated from a single-transducer ultrasonic assembly of the ultrasonic imaging tool; using a receiver to generate measurement information responsive to an ultrasonic signal caused by the ultrasonic beam; and estimating a parameter of interest from the measurement information. Methods may include adjusting the focus in dependence upon environmental conditions, the environmental conditions comprising at least one of: i) standoff between the ultrasonic imaging tool and a wall of the borehole; and ii) borehole annulus conditions. Methods may include adjusting the focus in substantially real-time. The ultrasonic beam may be focused with a focal zone at the borehole wall configured to produce a beam spot size of a selected diameter.

Methods, systems, devices, and products for ultrasonic borehole logging using an ultrasonic borehole imaging tool in a borehole intersecting the earth formation. Methods may include adjusting a focus for an ultrasonic beam generated from a single-transducer ultrasonic assembly of the ultrasonic imaging tool; using a receiver to generate measurement information responsive to an ultrasonic signal caused by the ultrasonic beam; and estimating a parameter of interest from the measurement information. Methods may include adjusting the focus in dependence upon environmental conditions, the environmental conditions comprising at least one of: i) standoff between the ultrasonic imaging tool and a wall of the borehole; and ii) borehole annulus conditions. Methods may include adjusting the focus in substantially real-time. The ultrasonic beam may be focused with a focal zone at the borehole wall configured to produce a beam spot size of a selected diameter.

A speaking device may be fitted to a user's mouth or mouth and nose and sealed against the user's face in order to provide a sealed airspace for oral communications while underwater. The speaking device is collapsible while not in use and may be extended prior to use in order to provide a larger volume of sealed airspace in which the user can communicate. When extended and fit to the user's face an exhalation of air may be used to purge water from the device interior via a distal regulator port and allow for brief communication. Alternately, an air regulator may be coupled to the regulator port to aid in purging water and/or provide breathable air for prolonged communication. Alternately, an LPI line may be connected to an LPI port of the device and operated to aid in purging water and/or provide breathable air for prolonged communication.

A speaking device may be fitted to a user's mouth or mouth and nose and sealed against the user's face in order to provide a sealed airspace for oral communications while underwater. The speaking device is collapsible while not in use and may be extended prior to use in order to provide a larger volume of sealed airspace in which the user can communicate. When extended and fit to the user's face an exhalation of air may be used to purge water from the device interior via a distal regulator port and allow for brief communication. Alternately, an air regulator may be coupled to the regulator port to aid in purging water and/or provide breathable air for prolonged communication. Alternately, an LPI line may be connected to an LPI port of the device and operated to aid in purging water and/or provide breathable air for prolonged communication.

An exhaust sound control system for vehicles includes an exhaust valve device that controls the volume of exhaust sound by controlling the amount of exhaust gas flowing through a muffler. In a sporty driving mode, exhaust sound is permitted to be transferred to the interior of the vehicle, and in a silent driving mode, the volume of exhaust sound transferred to the interior the vehicle is minimized. The volume of exhaust sound transferred to the interior of the vehicle is varied depending on the driving mode desired by the driver. Accordingly, the sensorial quality related to sound generated while driving is improved.

A multi-function sound chamber for a handheld barcode reader may include the ability to (i) amplify or otherwise efficiently project an audible signal generated by a buzzer of the barcode reader to sound window(s), and (ii) provide stiffening support to a printed circuit board (PCB) on which an electromechanical switch is mounted that a trigger of the handheld barcode reader engages when activated by a user of the reader. The sound chamber may provide other functions, including isolating light between good/bad read signals and battery level status. Another function may include reducing electrostatic discharge (ESD) by providing a high-impedance seal around connecting screws. Another function may include retention of the PCB by providing a pocket with a compliant material to retain a top or other edge of the PCB. By having the sound chamber perform multiple functions, the barcode reader may be produced more efficiently and cost effectively.

An electronic horn includes a cover (8) on a front side of an intermediate element (6). A first passage (P1) within the horn is defined by a central portion (82) of the cover (8) that projects into a cylindrical interior of a cylindrical water-proofing wall (621). Second passages (P2, P3, P4) extend generally concentrically with respect to the first passage (P1) and are respectively defined by water-proofing walls (83, 84) that are formed on the cover (8) and project into the interior spaces of water-proofing walls (622, 633). The outermost second passage (P4) opens toward the forward direction. The first and second passages (P1-P4) extend in a back-and-forth path that prevents any rainwater, which has entered the interior of the horn through the opening of the outermost second passage (P4), from reaching a resonance space (7) defined between the resonator (7) and a sound-generating oscillator (51).