G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration
Pistonphone Type 42AC - Page 6
2. Theory
2.1 Principle
The Pistonphone works on the principle of two pairs of similar opposing, reciprocating pistons
(Fig. 2.1) actuated by a precision-machined cam disc with a sinusoidal (SHM) profile. The cam
disc is mounted on the shaft of a small electric motor. The profile of the cam disc is such that the
pistons follow a sinusoidal movement at a frequency equal to four times the speed of rotation.
This results in a corresponding sinusodial variation in the effective volume of the closed coupler
and, consequently, an acoustic signal within it. The RMS pressure,
P
(in pascals), of this acous
-
tic signal is given by:
Where :
γ
is the ratio of specific heats for the gas in the coupler (for air this is 1.402 at 20 °C and
1 atm.)
P
0
is the ambient pressure in pascals (Pa)
A
p
is the cross-sectional area of one piston in square metres (m
2
)
S
is the stroke length of the pistons in metres (m)
V
is the coupler volume in cubic metres (m 3)
A
p and
S are determined by the physical dimensions of the pistons and the cam disc; the ambi
-
ent pressure refers, in most cases, to the barometric pressure of the atmosphere.
2.2
Volume Corrections
The volume of the coupler is defined partly by the dimensions of the coupler itself and partly the
effective load volume of the microphone. The effective load volume of the microphone is sum of
the equivalent volume and the front cavity volume. The front cavity volume of the microphone
is the volume between the microphone’s diaphragm and the protection grid plus the volume
contained in the slits of the protection grid.
The equivalent volume of the microphone is the apparent volume of the microphone behind the
diaphragm. Since the diaphragm is not perfectly stiff, it will be deflected slightly by a sound pres
-
sure. This slight deflection of the diaphragm can be considered as equivalent to a small volume
and, as such, should be added to the sum of the grid and coupler volumes. Since the grid and
equivalent volumes can vary slightly from one type of microphone to another, the total volume of
the coupler will, accordingly, also vary slightly.
Fig. 2.1 Principle of the Pistonphone
P =
γ
⋅
P
0
⋅
4 A
p
⋅
S
V
⋅
√
2
(1)
