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Case Studies

Piezoelectric Loud Speaker for Harsh Environments

  • Piezo Loudspeaker with Phenolic Cone SPK-PZ94

    94mm Piezo Loudspeaker with Phenolic Cone

  • Piezo Loudspeaker with Phenolic Cone SPK-PZ94

    94mm Piezo Loudspeaker with Phenolic Cone

Overview

ISL was approached by a customer who was in need of a piezo loudspeaker that could be used in harsh environments, where a traditional magnetic speaker could not be used.

Challenge

Due to the application and the speaker’s environment, ISL had to design a speaker that had no magnetics. The result was for ISL to design a piezoelectric speaker to meet the customer’s application requirements. The speaker needed to operate at a broad frequency range as well as provide voice reproduction.

Solution

ISL designed the PZ-94 speaker. It’s a piezoelectric speaker with an extended frequency range that meets all of the customer’s strict requirements. This speaker is lightweight with a thin profile, but robust enough to handle 50 W (EIA). The PZ-94 speaker utilizes a high strength phenolic cone which provides the resistance to humidity when used in harsh environments.

  • Frequency Response: 450 Hz to 20kHz
  • Average Sensitivity: 82dB at 1m/1W
  • Max. Power Handling Capacity: 50 W (EIA RS426) (8Ω system reference)
  • Operating Temperature Range: -40°C – 105°C
  • Typical Impedance: Appears as a 1.5μF Capacitor
  • Shock Test: 1,000G, 1ms
  • Humidity Test: 100% RH (MIL STD 810C; Method 509.1; Salt Fog)
  • Weight: 1.10 oz (33g)

Although the PZ-94 speaker was initially intended to be used in military audio applications, they are now being used inside MRI suites as well. Since the PZ-94 speaker lacks any magnetics, it’s one of the few loud speakers that can be used inside MRI suites.

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