Patent attributes
An electro-magnetic transducer includes a housing. At least one coil is associated with the housing. A spherical magnet within the housing is capable of turning in any direction and of moving along an axis. A first keeper and a second keeper are positioned on opposite sides of the magnet, both the first keeper and the second keeper including magnetically soft material and free to move along the axis. A first biasing member holds the first keeper along the axis, and a second biasing element that holds the second keeper along the axis. The first keeper and the second keeper are attracted by magnetic poles of the magnet in the absence of an external magnetic field, such that opposing magnetic poles of the magnet are aligned parallel to the axis. Alternating current flowing through the at least one coil causes a vibration of the magnet, the vibration transferred to the housing.