Bruel & kjaer 4220 User guide

Pistonphone Type

4220

The

Pistonphone

is

a

compact

battery-operated

precision

sound

source,

designed

to

enable

quick

and

accurate

overall

calibration

of

sound

measur-

ing

equ

i

pments.

It

produces

a

sound

pressure

level

of

124 dB

at

the

microphone

diaphragm,

at

a

frequency

of

250

Hz.

--

1

BRUEL&K.'-'AEA

NA:.RUM,

DENMARK.

Teleph.:

80

OS

00.

Cable

:

BRUKJA

. Telex:

5316.

COPENHAGEN

BB

4220-

0300053

Piston

phone

Type 4220

Reprint

october

1967

Contents

Page

Introduction

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

General

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Principle

of

Operalion

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Pistons,

Non-Linear

Distortion

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Coupler

and

Adaptors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Motor

and

Frequency

Regulation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

Batteries

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

Barometer.

Ambient

Pressure

Correction

.

.........................

13

Operation

............

.

........................

.

...

.

......

.

..........

14

General

........

. .

..

.................................

..

. .

......

. .

14

Ambient

Pressure

and

Volume

Corrections

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15

Use

of

External

DC

Power

Supply

....

.

..

.

...

.

....................

16

Pistonphone's

Dismantling

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17

Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18

Calibration

Checks

on

B & K

Sound

Measuring

Equipment

. . . . . . . . . .

18

Level

Calibration

of

Tape

Recordings

...

.

....

, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22

Part

Numben

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23

Introduction

The

Pistonphone

Type

4220 is

designed

for

the

absolute

calibration

of

pre-

cision

sound

measuring

systems.

Sound

level

measuring

equipment

consists

basically

of

a

microphone,

followed

by

suitable

amplifier

stages

and

an

indicating

instrument.

The

amplitude

and

frequency

characteristics

of

the

electronic

components

are

generally

accurately

defined,

but

the

exact

determination

of

the

sensitivity

of

the

equipment

in

relation

to

sound

pressure

is less

easy

to

obtain.

The

recommendations

of

the

IEC

for

Precision

Sound

Level

Meters

(Technical

Commission

no.

29)

requires:

"The

complete

apparatus

shall

be

calibrated

in

absolute

values

at

any

specified

frequency

between

200

and

looo

Hz.

The

accuracy

of

the

calibration

at

this

frequency,

including

errors

due

to

the

free

field

measurement,

and

those

due

to

the

actual

eleclroacoustic

measure-

ments,

shall

always

be

better

than

± 1

dB."

Different

methods

'

of

sound

level

calibration

have

been

adapted

by

Briiel

&

Kjrer, i.e.:

the

Recipro~ity

Calibration,

the

Electrostatic

Actuator,

the

Noise

Source,

and

the

Pistonphone.

Each

method

has

a

particular

field

of

applica-

tion.

They

are

all

carried

out

~s

pressure

calibrations

(fictitiously

in

the

case

of

the

actuator),

the

calibrating

sound

source

being

tightly

coupled

to

the

microphone

by

a

coupler

of

small

dimensions.

For

small

condenser

micro-

phones,

such

as

the

B & K

microphones,

there

is

no

appreciable

difference

under

looo

Hz,

between

the

pressure

and

the

free

field sensitivities.

The

Reciprocity technique*),

which

is

the

method

retained

in

the

American

Standard

ASA Z 24-4 (1949), is

based

upon

the

law

of

reciprocity

of

reversible

transducers.

It

is

carried

out

by

permutation

between

three

microphones

and

the

measurement

of

voltage

ratios

only,

with

the

knowledge

of

a few

physical

constants.

This

laboratory

method

enables

absolute

pressure

calibration

of

microphones

to

be

made

with

excellent

accuracy.

On

the

other

hand,

it

is a

relatively

time-consuming

operation.

The

Electrostatic Actuator*)

produces

a

fictitious

acoustic

pressure

on

the

diaphragm

of

a

condenser

microphone

by

electrostatic

attraction.

It

is

parti-

cularly

useful

and

very

reliable

as

a

variable

frequency

exciter

for

the

automatic

recording

of

frequency

response

curves. However, the

inaccuracy

in

the

determination

of

the

equivalent

sound

pressure

prevents

the

electro-

static

actuator

from

bein

g

used

as

an

absolute

calibration

means.

*)

See

the

Instruction Manual

for

the

B & K Microphone Calibration

Apparatu~

Type

4142.

3

The

Noise

Source

Type

4240

mechanically

produces

an

approximate

"white"

random

noise.

The

advantage

of

the

"white"

noise

is

that

it

:

calibrates

over

a

wide

range

of

audio

frequencies,

i.e.

in

conditions

approaching

an

actual

noise

measurement.

The

noise

source

is a

small

independent

device, well-

adapted

for

field

calibration

check

of

sound

measuring

equipment,

and

requires

no

electric

power

for

operation.

The

accuracy

of

the

noise

source

is,

however,

limited

to

± 1.5 dB.

The

principle

of

the

Pistonphone

is

that

a

sound

pressure

is

produced

in

the

coupler

cavity

by

a

piston

moving

in

and

out.

This

sound

pressure

is

proportional

to

the

variation

of

the

coupler

volume, i.e.

tq

the

stroke

and

area

of

the

piston,

and

the

error

in

the

sound

pressure

level

depends

in

particular

on

the

accuracy

in

the

measurement

of

the

stroke.

Fig.

1.

The

"old"

pistonphones;

to

the

left

an old

mechanically

driven

pistonphone,

and

to

the

right an electromagnetically

driven

pistonphone.

The

piston

phone

was

first

developed

as

a

normally

driven

piston

(crank

+

connecting

rod}, see Fig. 1.

With

this

arrangement

is

was

practically

im-

possible

to

carry

out

a

calibration

at

a

sufficiently

high

frequency

.

To

obtain

200 Hz,

the

motor

should

run

at

12ooo r.p.m.,

and

even

at

much

lower

speeds

than

this,

vibrations

occurred

in

the

bearings

and

in

the

connecting

rod,

with

an

eventual

wobbling

of

the

motor

spindle,

which

produced

an

unacceptable

error

in

the

determination

of

the

stroke.

In

addition,

the

distortion

of

the

piston

movement

caused

by

the

finite

length

of

the

connecting

rod

had

to

be

taken

into

account,

and

due

to

the

variations

of

the

torque

on

the

motor

axle

the

frequency

stability

was

also

insufficient.

For

these

reasons,

the

mechanica

1

drive

has

been

superseded

by

an

electro-

magnetic

drive

of

the

type

used

in

loudspeakers,

enabling

audio

frequencies

to

be

easily

obtained.

The

piston

stroke

has

to

be

measured

optically.

This

can

be

made

with

a

certain

accuracy

by

means

of

a

good

microscope.

How-

ever,

the

use

of

a

microscope

and

the

difficulty

in

obtaining

a

high

sound

4

pressure

level

limit

the

use

of

this

type

of

pistonphone

to

laboratory

work

and

demonstrations.

The

Pistonphoue

Type

4220 is a

mechanical

device

of

a

new

design

which.

by

using

two

symmetrically

mounted

pistons,

with

a

floating

retaining

spring

arrangement,

eliminates

shaft

eccentricity,

and

back

-

lash

of

bearings

from

any

influence

on

the

stroke

of

the

pistons,

and

thus

avoids

the

drawbacks

of

the

old

pistonphone.

This

small

unit

produces

a

pure

tone

of

250 Hz,

with

a

sound

pressure

level

of

124 dB (RMS) re. 2 X 10-4 .ubar,

allowing

correct

calibration

to

be

made

even

in

very

noisy

surroundings.

The

Pistonphone

4220

features

outstanding

simplicity

and

rapidity

of

operation

and

has

a

calibration

accuracy

of

± o.2 dB,

which

is

of

the

same

order

as

the

precision

usually

obtained

by

the

reciprocity

method.

It

can

be

used

anywhere

where

a well-

defined

sound

source

is

required,

and

is especially

suited

for

the

direct

calibration

of

precision

sound

measuring

equipment

in

the

field.

6

Description

General.

The

Pistonphone

Type

4220 (Fig.

2)

is

of

cylindrical

shape

with

small

dimensions

(comparable

with

the

dimensions

of

a

"flash

light"),

and

is

battery

operated.

It

is

consequently

compact

and

portable,

always

ready

for

use,

having

no

mains

connections,

and

can

be

utilised

under

the

most

difficult

ambient

conditions.

Once

the

microphone

is

fitted

to

the

coupler

the

operation

consists

simply

of

starting

the

pistonphone

and

adjusting

the

sensitivity

of

the

components

in

the

sound

measuring

equipment

until

the

deflection

on

the

indicating

instrument

corresponds

to

the

S.P.L. (RMS

Sound

Pressure

Level)

produced

by

the

pistonphone.

Fig.

2.

P

holograph

of

the

Pistonphone.

Each

pistonphone

is

individually

calibrated

and

the

exact

value

of

calibration,

which

can

deviate

a

few

tenth

of

dB

from

the

nominal

124 dB, is

indicated

on

the

calibration

chart

which

is

supplied

with

the

instrument

upon

delivery.

The

calibration

is given

at

normal

atmospheric

pressure

(760

mm

Hg).

The

maximum

error

of

calibration

is less

than

± o.2 dB.

(66(22

Fig. 9.

Assembly

drawing

of

the

Pistonphone.

6

The

necessary

correction

for

variation

in

atmospheric

pressure

is

read

directly

in

dB

off

a

barometer

supplied

with

the

pistonphone.

In

the

ordinary

range

(0°-60°C),

temperature

has

practically

no

effect

on

the

pistonphone's

cali-

bration.

The

Pistonphone

Type

4220 is delivered

in

a

wooden

case

with

the

barometer

and

different

adaptors.

Principle

of

Operation.

The

principle

of

operation

of

the

Pistonphone

Type

4220 is

shown

in

Figures

4

and

5.

The

two

pistons

are

symmetrically

driven

by

means

of

a

cam

disc,

mounted

on

the

shaft

of

a

miniature

electric

motor.

The

cam,

which

is

made

of

specially selected

tempered

steel, is

machined

to

a

high

degree

of

accuracy,

according

to

the

law

r = a +b

sin

4 a (Fig. 5).

*)

When

rotating,

the

cam

will

give

the

pistons

a

sinusoidal

movement

at

a

frequency

equal

to

four

times

the

speed

of

rotation.

Consequently

the

cavity

volume

is

varied

sinusoidally

and

the

RMS

sound

pressure

produced

will

be:-

where:

2 APS

P = rX

Po

X

,,

-dynes/cm2

Vv2

r =

Cp/C-r

=

ratio

of

specific

heats

for

the

gas

in

the

cavity

(r

=

1.402

for

air,

at

20°C

and

1

atm.).

P.

=atmospheric

pressure,

expressed

in

dyne/cm2.

A.

::a

area

of

one

of

the

pistons.

S

::a

peak

amplitude

of

motion

of

one

piston

from

the

mean

position.

V = volume

of

cavity

with

the

pistons

in

mean

position

+

the

equivalent

volume

of

the

microphone.

p

The

sound

pressure

level

in

dB

is

consequently:

S.P.L. = 20 log

~·

with

Pt

= 2 X

10

-4

flbar

= o.0002 dynes/cm2

=threshold

of

hearing.

It

is

assumed

in

the

above

equation

that

Ap

X S <<

V,

and

that

the

com-

pression

is

adiabatic.

These

conditions

are

satisfied

entirely

in

the

case

of

the

Pistonphone

Type

4220,

where

AP

X S/V <o.0002,

and

where

the

heat

con-

duction

correction

would

be

less

than

o.05"dB

at

20Hz.

**

)

It

is possible

to

define,

with

great

precision,

the

different

quantities

involved

in

the

equation.

The

piston

stroke

S,

which

was

difficult

to

measure

in

the

case

of

an

electromagnetically

driven

pistonphone,

is

simply

here,

one

fourth

of

the

difference

between

the

maximum

and

the

minimum

diameters

of

the

cam. Accurate

measurement

of

this

difference,

though

relatively

small,

offers

no

problem

by

using

a

precision

micrometer.

In

addition,

as

the

pistons

are

*)

A cam disc

corresponding

to

the

law

r = a +b sin 2 a is available on request.

With

this

disc

the

reference

frequency is

125

Hz

and

the

distortion

less

than

1.5

.%

.

*

*)

Experiments

on

the

Piston

phone

Type

4220

have

shown

that

the

compression

can

be

considered as

adiabatic

down

to a frequency of 1

Hz

(the

error

being

approx.

o.3

dB

at

1Hz).

7

symmetrically

located

with

respect

to

the

cam,

any

mechanical

deviation

due

to

the

mounting

or

to

a

wobbling

of

the

motor

is

compensated

in

the

total

movement

of

the

pistons,

and

has

no

influence

on

the

S.P.L.

produced

.

Retaini

~ g

spring

Fig.

4.

Cross-section

showing

the

principle

of

operation.

The

frontal

surface

AP

of

the

pistons

and

the

volume

V

of

the

cavity

are

also

e

asy

to

measure

accurately,

and

as

the

diameter

of

the

pistons

is

great

with

regard

to

the

stroke

the

influence

of

the

space

between

the

pistons

and

the

walls is negligible.

(The

tightness

of

the

pistons

is

satisfactory,

without

any

lubricating

material,

down

to

about

20 Hz).

Finally

a

possible

error

on

the

ambient

pressure

Po is

far

below

the

required

limit,

as

ten

degrees

on

the

scale

of

the

barometer

corresponds

to

o.04 dB.

These

features

make

it

possible

to

calculate

the

S.P.L.

produced

by

the

Pistonphone

Type

4220

at

the

standard

frequency

of

250 Hz

to

within

less

than±

o.2 dB

(±

2

%).

b sin 4

ot

/<'ig.

5.

Sketch

of

the

sinusoidally shaped cam.

Pistons,

Non-Linear

Distortion.

The

design

of

the

piston

drive

in

the

Pistonphone

4220

makes

an

allowance

for very low

non-linear

distortion.

The

distortion

is

produced,

not

by

imper-

8

fection

of

the

specially

shaped

cam

which

can

be

considered

as

of

a

rather

perfect

sinusoidal

shape,

but

by

the

wear

of

the

piston

tips

sliding

on

the

cam.

During

experiments

it

has

been

noticed

that

the

tips,

if

no

special

care

has

been

taken,

can

become

worn

on

one

side,

and

in

due

course

slightly

distort

the

movement

of

the

pistons.

The

pistons

are

made

of

a

special

synthetic

material,

presenting

a

particularly

low

friction

coefficient

with

steel.

The

cam

and

pistons

are

lubricated

with

high

quality

oil. Also,

the

tension

of

the

retaining

spring

is

carefully

adjusted

to

maintain

even

contact

of

the

piston

tips

on

the

cam,

without

excessive

pressure.

By

means

of

these

precautions,

the

distortion

factor

of

the

Piston-

phone

is

maintained

lower

than

3 %

at

250 Hz.

The

frequency

spectrum

of

the

signal

produced

by

the

pistonphone

is

shown

in

Fig. 6.

.

~

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o.o o o

·o

o o o o o 1

~6~ ~·~

~·~

Odb

"

10

100 1000

10

000 cjs

loOS79

Fig. 6.

Typical

frequency

spectrum

of

the

Pistonphone

recorded

by

means

of

the

B & K

Spectrum

Recorder

Type

9312.

The

spectrum

shows

a

second

harmonic

of

1.8

%,

and

some

noise

caused

in

the

coupler

by

the

motor,

around

7ooo Hz.

Coupler

and

Adaptors.

The

coupler

cavity

of

the

Pistonphone

4220

has

been

designed

with

dimen-

sions

which

are

small

with

respect

to

the

wave-length

of

the

sound,

in

the

frequency

range

involved.

The

coupler

has

an

opening

diameter

of

23.8

mm,

fitting

microphones

with

a

standard

diameter

of

o.936

inch

(as

specified

in

A.S.A. Z 24-8-1949)

such

as

the

Types

B & K 4131

and

4132,

W.

E. 640

AA,

MR 103.

9

In

addition,

three

adaptors

are

supplied

with

the

Pistonphone,

enabling

the

opening

diameter

to

be

reduced

without

changing

the

total

volume

of

the

cavity,

for

use

with

1h,

14

and

1h

inch

diameter

microphones.

A special

adaptor

is

available

on

request

for

fitting

the

old

B & K

Microphone

Type

4111

with

diameter

36

mm

*).

The

adaptors

are

easily

mounted

onto

the

pistonphone

by

pressing

them

into

the

coupler

opening

and

into

each

other.

See Fig.

7.

The

coupler

opening

and

the

adaptors

are

fitted

with

a

rubber

ring

which

ensures

an

airtight

connection

to

the

microphone

under

test.

The

coupler

cavity

is

also

fitted

with

a

capillary

tube

for

static

pressure

equalization

with

the

pressure

outside.

4220 4131/4132 +

2612

4220 4133/4134 +

2614

-:£-ElF

-

~

-J

-

IE

-

----

f-~jffi-

a.

b.

Fig. 7.

Mounting

the

different

B & K

microphones

on

the

Pistonphone.

(a)

"one

inch"

Microphone

Type

4131

or

4132.

(b)

"half

inch"

Microphone

Tupe

41tJ3

or

4134.

The

total

volume

of

the

cavity

is th.e

same

in

both

cases.

The

pistonphone

can

be

adapted

to

almost

~my

type

of

microphone,

as

a

suitable

adaptor

can

easily

be

made,

which

ha~

a

larger

or

smaller

diameter.

The

use

of

special

adaptors

does

not

offF;r

any

other

problems

than

those

of

external

leakages.**)

However,

the

dimt.!nsions

should

remain

small

in

com-

parison

with

~

in

order

to

avoid

any

disturbanc('

due

to

wave

motions

in

the

cavity, (

~

in

air

is

approximately

34

em

(13")

at

250 Hz,

and

10

em

(4")

at

800 Hz),

and

a

ratio

of

1

to

3.5

between

the

total

depth

and

the

diameter

of

the

coupler

is

recommended

in

order

to

obtain

the

best

possible

frequency

response. ; I j : I!jTf

j1)

From

the

pistonphone

formula

it

is

seen

that

the

S.P.L.

produced

by

the

Plstonphone

is

inversely

proportional

to

the

volume

V

of

the

cavity.

The

nominal

S.P.L.

of

the

Pistonphone

corresponds

to

the

situation

where

a

B & K

microphone,

with

the

normal

protecting

grid, is

inserted.

In

this

case

the

total

volume

of

the

cavity

is 19.6 cm3,

including

the

equivalent

volume

of

the

microphone:

o.15 cm3

for

B & K

Types

4131-4132.

For

any

change

in

the

total

volume

V,

a

corresponding

correction

must

be

made

on

the

given

S.P.L.

of

the

Pistonphone.

See

"Volume

Correction"

in

the

following

chapter.

*)

B & K

part

number:

DB

0386.

**)

'Vhen

using

the

Pistonphone

with

some types of microphones, a slight

and

slow vari-

ation

in

the

reading

of

the

indicating

instruments

may

be

noted.

This

is

caused

by

poor

equalization between

the

pressure

inside these microphones

and

the

external

pressure.

10

f

·•

Motor and

Frequency

Regulation.

The

Pistonphone

is

equipped

with

a

precision

DC

motor.

In

order

to

ensure

the

frequency

stability,

the

rotating

speed

is

regulated

to

within

1 %

by

a

centrifugal

switch

and

a

current

regulating

transistor.

See Fig. 8.

This

arrangement

completely

eliminates

any

distortion

coming

from

the

cam

speed.

In

addition,

such

an

accurate

definition

of

the

frequency

is

required

for

calibration

of

non-linear

sound

level

meters

(e.g.

in

the

case

of

a

sound

level

meter

having

the

standardized

"weighted"

frequency

response

A,

or

B,

it

is

known

that

the

response

at

250 Hz is 8.6 dB

or

1.4 dB, respectively,

lower

than

the

response

at

looo

Hz).

Check t

Measure

r-3~--------~--~~~----~----------~

R1

Off

t

<]

Fig.

8.

Diagram

of

the

frequency

regulator.

Centrifugal

switch

The

control

switch

("flash-light"

type)

has

three

positions:

"Off-Measure-

Check".

In

the

"Measure"

position

the

current

from

the

batteries

is fed

to

the

motor

through

the

regulating

system,

which

maintains

a

rotating

speed

of

3750

rpm,

i.e. a

frequency

of

250 Hz.

In

position

"Check"

the

batteries

are

directly

connected

to

the

motor,

and

the

frequency

will

be

somewhat

higher,

e.g.

350-400

Hz

for

fresh

batteries.

By

pushing

the

switch

back

and

forth

between

"Measure"

and

"Check"

positions

a

quick

check

on

the

batteries

is

obtained.

If

no

frequency

variation

is

noted,

it

is

time

to

replace

the

batteries.

(The

batteries

could

still

give

some

more

hours

use,

but

the

frequency

of

the

produced

sound

would

be

lower

than

250 Hz).

The

frequency

of

the

Pistonphone

may

be

varied

up

to

800

Hz

by

using

an

external

DC

power

supply

instead

of

the

batteries,

the

control

switch

being

in

position

"Check".

The

motor

has

a

shunt

characteristic

and

its

rotating

speed

is

approximately

proportional

to

the

connected

voltage.

The

upper

limit

of

the

motor

rot

a

ting

speed,

corresponding

to

a

frequency

of

800Hz,

is

attained

for

a

voltage

of

approximately

24 Volts.

It

should

never

be

exceeded

and

11

must

be

used

only

for

short

periods

of

time.

(See

also

the

Note

p. 17).

The

lower

limit

depends

on

the

leakage

time

constant

in

the

coupler

cavity

and

is

about

20 Hz

when

no

special

care

is

taken

to

ensure

the

tightness

(down

to 2 Hz

or

even

less

with

a

simple

film

of

grease).

In

position

"Check"

the

stability

of

the

rotating

speed,

i.e.

of

the

frequency,

is

directly

the

stability

of

the

voltage

between

the

motor

terminals,

and

especially

at

low

frequencies

the

DC

source

should

have

a

low

internal

impedance

(less

than

2

ohms).

Between

the

given

limits

of

the

frequency,

the

S.P.L.

produced

by

the

Piston

phone

is

constant

and

independent

of

the

frequency.*)

Batteries.

The

Pistonphone

is

supplied

with

long-life

mercury

cell

batteries

(Mallory

type

RM - 3(R))

upon

delivery.

The

battery

compartment

holds

7 cells giving

a

total

voltage

of

approximately

8 volts.

Though

the

cost

of

mercury

cell

batteries

is

higher

than

the

cost

of

ordinary

ones,

the

adoption

of

this

type

of

battery

is

the

cheapest

in

the

long

run.

The

reason

is

that

in

normal

use,

such

as

laboratory

standard,

the

Pistonphone

is

utilized

only

a

few

minutes

per

day,

and

perhaps

even

less.

Under

these

conditions,

the

batteries'

life

is

limited

by

their

storage

life.

Therefore

the

use

of

mercury

cells,

which

feature

a

long

storage

life, is

recommended.

According

to

the

manufacturer,

the

batteries

RM-

3(R),

supplied

with

the

Pistonphone

can

be,

stored

for

more

than

6

years.

This

duration

corresponds

to

a

utilization

of

the

pistonphone

of

one

or

two

minutes

per

day.

a.

Fig.

9.

Sketch

of

the

battery

compartment

(a)

with

Mallory

RM-9(R)

cells

(b)

with

Mallory

RM-4(R)

cells

Under

circumstances

where

extended

use is

made

of

the

Pistonphone,

larger

mercury

cell

batteries

may

be

advantageous.

These

are

M~llory

type

RM

-

4-(R)

with

a

diameter

of

30

mm

(the

diameter

of

the

RM-

3(R)

units

is

25

*)

The

noise

from

the

motor

has

a

resonance

peak

at

high

frequency

(7-8

kHz),

but

is

always

more

than

40

dB below

the

signal.

However,

when

running

the

motor

at

its

highest

speed

(i.e.

800

Hz)

the

noise

resonance

peak

can

produce

a small rise of about

o.2 dB of

the

total

S.P.L. in

the

coupler

cavity. ·

12

mm).

They

can

be

fitted

in

the

battery

compartment

by

removing

the

inner

plastic

lining

tube

.

(Fig

. 9).

The

service

life,

with

these

batteries,

is

extended

approximately

50

%.

Barometer

UZ

0001

for

Ambient

Pressure

Correction.

The

calibration

of

the

Pistonphone

is

given

for

normal

atmospheric

pressure

conditions:

P.

= 760

mm

Hg.

For

important

barometric

or

altimetric

changes

in

the

ambient

pressure,

a

correction

must

be

made.

A

barometer,

graduated

both

in

dB

of

correction

and

in

mm

Hg

of

pressure

is

supplied

with

the

Pistonphone

for

this

purpose.

The

barometer

range

is

from

795

to

595

mm

Hg

and

is

divided

into

two

360°

scales.

The

outer

graduation

of

the

scales

is

in

dB,

and

the

inner,

in

mm

Hg

(Fig. 10).

The

outer

scale,

graduated

from

79·5

to

675

mm

Hg,

indicates

the

dB

cor-

rection

for

the

usual

barometric

variations

and

can

be

used

at

altitudes

up

to 600 m (1800 feet)

above

sea

level.

The

inner

scale

,

graduated

from

715

to

595

mm

Hg

is

intended

to

be

used

at

altitudes

from

600

to

2ooo

m (1800 -

6ooo feet).

Fig.

10.

The

Pressure Correction

Barometer

UZ 0001.

From

time

to time,

and

especially

after

transport

or

after

important

changes

in

altitude,

it is

recommended

to

check

the

calibration

of

the

barometer.

The

pointer

of

the

barometer

can

be

adjusted

by

means

of

a

screw

at

the

rear

of

the

barometer

..

For

altimetric

variation

of

the

ambient

pressure

beyond

2ooo

m

and

up

to

18ooo m (55ooo feet) i.e.

down

to

GO

mm

Hg,

the

correction

curve

given in

Fig.

11

can

be used.

A

conversion

chart

giving

the

equivalence

between

the

pressure

expressed

in

different

units

is

shown

in

Fig. 12.

18

Operation

General.

After

the

sound

measuring

equipment

under

test

has

been

warmed

up

and

made

ready

for

use

in

the

12()-130

dB

range

and

with

"linear"

frequency

response,

operation

of

the

Pistonphone

is

as

follows:-

(1)

Fit

the

microphone

of

the

equipment

under

test

to

the

coupler

opening.

The

Piston

phone

can

be

held

in

one

hand,

in

any

position.*)

(2)

Start

the

Pistonphone

by

pushing

the

gliding

switch,

and

check

the

batteries

by

pushing

the

switch

forwards

and

backwards

between

the

"l\fcasure"

and

"Check"

positions.

A

definite

variation

in

frequency

indicates

that

the

batteries

are

in

good

condition.

(

3)

The

Pistonphone's

switch

being

in

"Measure"

position,

adjust,

with

the

free

hand,

the

sensitivity

of

the

sound

measuring

equipment

until

the

db

+2

-2

-4

-6

-8

-10

-12

-14

-16

-18

-20

-22

8

I I I I I I

.....

Change1 in 1Sound

Pr~s

1

s~r~

1

L~v

1

el-

-r-

r-

......

versus

change in ambient pressure

......

for

Pistonphone

Type

4220

-;-----

......

:-....

............

......

r-...

i

'-

-1

0

-r-

0,5

--

-~--

-1

,..._.._

1

\.

,.,._..

760

750

740

730 720

710

700 690

680

670

mm~g

--

0

100

200 300 400 500

600

700

800

900

tt-

m

Abo

e Se L l \

__

o

tilt

1~0~

111

21

oo

1

o

1tt

~oo

1

o re~t

v I eve \

I I I

00 700

I

0,5 1

0.6

600

I

2

1,2

I I I

II

3

1,9

5~0

I J

400 300 200

100

0 m

mHg

I

4 5 6 7 8 9

10

11

12

15

20

km

Above

2,5 3,1 3,7 4,3 5,0

5,6

6,2

7,5

9,3

12.4

Miles

Sea

Level

160¥28

Fig.

11.

Correction

curve

for operation at

low

pressures

or

high

altitudes.

*)A

slight

variation

in

the

noise

produced

by

the

motor

can

be

noticed

when

holding

the

pistonphone

in

diHerent

positions.

This

has

no

relation

to

the

frequency

and

the

S.P.L.

produced.

14

indication

coincides

with

the

S.P.L. (RMS

Sound

Pressure

Level)

pro·

duced

by

the

Pistonphone.

See

Applications,

for

the

case

of

B & K

equip-

ment.

(

4)

Stop

the

Piston

phone

as

soon

as

the

calibration

has

taken

place

in

order

to

conserve

the

batteries.

Ambient

Pressure

and

Volume

Corrections.

The

S.P

.L.

produced

by

the

Pistonphone

is

equal

to

the

calibration

value

indicated

on

the

Calibration

Chart.

However,

a

correction

must

be

made

to

this

value,

if

the

ambient

pressure

is

not

the

normal

atmospheric

pressure

(760

mm

Hg

= 1013

millibar

= 29.9

inches

Hg),

and

also,

if

the

total

volume

of

the

coupling

cavity,

including

the

equivalent

volume

of

the

microphone,

is

not

the

same

as

in

the

reference

case,

where

a B & K

condenser

microphone

with

normal

protecting

grid

is

inserted.

The

ambient

pressure

correction

is

immediately

read

off

the

barometer

supplied

with

the

pistonphone,

as

described

above.

The

volume

correction

is,

according

to

the

pistonphone

formula,

if

V'

is

the

total

volume

of

the

coupler

cavity:

20 log1o

~,

dB,

to

be

added

to

the

calibra-

tion

value

which

corresponds

to

the

volume

V = 19.6 cm3.

For

example,

in

the

case

of

a

pistonphone

calibrated

to

123.9

dB,

and

assuming

the

pointer

of

the

barometer

indicating

-o.2 dB

and

the

piston-

vhone

fitted

with

a

special

coupler

to

a

certain

microphone

so

that

the

total

volume

is V' = 24.1 c.c.,

the

S.P.L.

produced

will

be

in

dB:

+ 19.6

S.P.L. = 123.

9-

o.2 20 log 24_

1 =

123.9-

o.2

-1.8

= 121.9

Volume

corrections

for

use

with

different

types

of

standard

microphones

directly

fitted

to

the

Pistonphone

are

given

in

the

following

table:

Type

Without

Protecting

grid

I

'Vith

Protecting

Grid

WE

640

AA

+ o.3

dB

I +

o.42dB

MR

103 + o.3

dB

+ o.42 dB

+ o.3 dB

B & K 4131, 4132 (with

coupler

adapting

0

ring

DB 0111)

15

Millibars

Millimeters

of

mercury

Inches

of

mercury

Kgfcm

1

Fig. 12.

1

millimeter

of

mercury-

1.3332

millibar-0

.

0394

inchesof mercury•1Torr.• 0.

001359

kg/em~

1a1

tm

.

1000

90

80

70 60 50

40

30

20

10

900

90 80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

800

m.bar

740 730

720

710 700

690

680 670

660

650

640

630

620

610

600

mmH't

29.5

29.0

245

28.0

27.5

27

.0

2~5

26.0

25.5

25.0

u.s 24.0

In

Hg

I I I I

kgjem

2

1.05 0.

95

0.9

0.85

160H

f

Chart for conversion

of

barometer readings in

different

units.

Use

of

Extemal

DC

Power

Supply.

The

Pistonphone

is

normally

used

at

a fixed

frequency.

However,

in

certain

instances,

use

can

be

made

of

the

fact

that

the

S.P.L. is

independent

of

the

frequency,

to

check

the

response

of

a

sound

measuring

system.

The

frequency

of

the

Pistonphone

can

be

varied

within

the

range

30

Hz-

800

Hz

by

applying

an

external

DC voltage

varying

from

1.5

to

24

volts

approximately.

The

necessary

connections

should

be

made

to

the

rings

which

are

seen

when

the

battery

compartm

e

nt

is

unscrewed.

(The

-is

connected

to

the

outer

ring,

and

the

+ to

the

center

ring

,

marked

"

BATT+").

The

Piston-

phone

switch

is

set

in

"Check"

position

.

When

approaching

800

Hz

(at

800 Hz

the

motor

runs

at

12ooo r.p.m.),

the

Pistonphone

must

only

be

used

for

short

periods

of

time,

and

as

it

could

be

dangerous

for

the

motor

to

exceed

the

maximum

speed,

the

voltage

corresponding

to

the

maximum

frequency

should

be

progressively

attained,

for

example

by

means

of

a

potentiometer

as

shown

in

Fig.

13

. At

the

lowest

frequencies,

a

round

20

Hz

,

it

is

necessary

to

have

a DC

source

with

low

internal

resistance

(less

than

2

ohms)

in

order

to

ensure

stability

of

the

rotating

speed

of

the

motor.

+

24V=

160583

Fig.

13.

Connection

of

external

DC

power supply.

An

easy,

but

rather

rough

way

of

obtaining

low

frequencies,

consists

of

rapidly

moving

the

switch

back

and

forth

between

the

"Off"

and

"Measure"

positions.

When

calibrating

a

sound

level

meter

equipped

with

an

indicating

instrument

featuring

a

convenient

dynamic

characteristic,

a

quick

check

of

the

low

frequency

response

of

the

sound

level

meter

can

be

obtained

in

this

way

by

observing

the

deflection

on

the

instrument,

and

an

abnormal

loss

of

sensitivity

at

the

low

frequencies

can

rapidly

be

detected.

Inversely,

an

16

abnormal

leakage

in

the

coupler

of

the

Pistonphone

can

be

detected

when

calibrating

an

instrument

the

linearity

of

which

is

ascertained

at

low

fre-

quencies.

Dismantling of the Pistonpb.one.

To

take

the

Pistonphone

apart,

proceed

as

follows

(see

also

Fig.

2)

:-

(1)

Remove

the

coupler

by

unscrewing

it

from

the

Pistonphone.

(2)

Remove the

piston

retaining

spring

and

take

out

the

pistons.

(3)

Unscrew

the

two

set-screws

from

the

body

of

the

Pistonphone.

(4)

Unscrew

the

motor

housing

from

the

black

motor

mounting

piece.

(5)

Gently

push

out

the

pistons.

To

reassemble

the

Pistonphone:-

(1)

If

necessary,

the

cam

disc

and

the

pistons

should

be

cleaned

in

a

detergent.

(2)

Screw

the

motor

housing

onto

the

motor

unit.

(3)

If

necessary,

apply

a

drop

of

high

quality

oil

to

the

cam

disc

(e.g.

Esso

"Univis 40"

or

Shell

"Microtime

Type

A

Ultra

Light").

(4)

Replace

the

two

set-screws.

(5)

Insert

the

pistons

and

replace

the

retaining

spring.

Fh:~ally

replace

the

coupler.

Note:

The

pressure

of

the

retaining

spring

should

be

20 g.

approximately.

A

too

low

pressure

would

cause

distortion,

and

a

too

high

pressure

produces

an

excessive

wear

on

the

piston

tips.

If

it

is

intended

to

operate

the

Piston-

phone

at

800 Hz

it

may

be

necessary

to

slightly

increase

the

spring

pressure

in

order

to

ensure

constant

contact

of

the

piston

tips

on

the

cam

disc,

in

spite

of

the

high

rotating

speed.

However,

the

spring

pressure

must

be

de-

creased

again

as

soon

as

returning

to

the

normal

rotating

speed

.

Spare

springs

and

pistons

can

be

ordered

separately.

See

the

parts

list.

Caution: Never

touch

the

pistons

while

operating.

17

Applications

The

direct,

absolute

pressure

calibration

of

sound

level

meters

provided

by

the

Pistonphone

is

more

reliable

and

accurate

than

calibration

from

a

built-in

reference

voltage

and

the

knowledge

of

the

microphone

sensitivity (K

factor).

Calibration

of

the

Precision Sound Level Meter Type 2203.

The

Pistonphone

is well

adapted

for

use

in

connection

with

the

Sound

Level

Meter

Type

2203

which

is

also

portable

and

battery

operated

(Fig. 14).

The

operation

is

as

follows:

(

1)

Switch

on,

by

pulling

out

the

central

knob.

The

indicating

lamp

starts

to

flash.

(2)

Turn

the

transparent

knob

fully clockwise.

(3)

Turn

the

black

knob

until

"120

dB"

is

in

the

red

circle.

The

S.P.L. is

read

on

the

sound

level

meter

as

the

deflection

on

the

meter

scale

(-10

to

+

10

dB)

plus

the

dB

number

in

the

red

circle.

\

4)

After a

short

wait,

check

the

batteries

by

setting

the

central

knob

to

"Batt.".

The

deflection

should

lie

between

the

two

limits

of

the

"Battery"

scale.

(5)

Set

the

control

knob

to

"Lin."

(Fast).

30 seconds

after

switching

on,

the

Sound

Level Meter is

ready

for

calibration.

(6)

Push

the

Pistonphone

onto

the

microphone

of

the

Sound

Level Meter

and

operate

as

described

in

"Operation",

p. 14.

(7)

The

indication

of

the

Sound

Level Meter

should

be

equal

to

the

S.P.L.

produced

by

the

Pistonphone.

If

not,

correct

by

means

of

the

screw·

driver

operated

potentiometer

marked

"Adj.".

Fig.

14.

Calibration

of

the

Precision

Sound

Level Meter

Type

2203.

18

BRUEL & KJAER 4220 User guide

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