Rockford Corporation Announces New Patent For Constant Power Technology

Rockford Corporation recently received patent 7,994,857, issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 9, 2011. Invented by Rockford Engineers Mark Albers, James Strickland and David Baker, the “Dynamic Constant Power Amplifier” patent allows Rockford to create amplifiers that deliver maximum power for a range of speaker impedances.

“Rockford’s ‘Dynamic Constant Power Amplifier’ patent once again shows we’re at the forefront of the car audio industry,” noted Bill Jackson, president of Rockford Corporation. “Our new patent enables us to build a high-efficiency audio amplifier that automatically delivers maximum rated power into a wide range of speaker impedances. This technology solves an age-old problem that has persisted since the earliest days of audio: how to match a speaker to an amplifier and be assured you’re getting maximum power delivery.”

Through the use of proprietary electronics, Rockford’s Constant Power technology automatically eliminates the inflexible speaker impedance-matching requirements of existing amplifier technology.

“There are no knobs to adjust, switches to set, calibration processes, test signals or additional wire harnesses of any kind,” explained Jake Braaten, director of product development at Rockford Fosgate. “The speakers are connected to the amplifier as normal, and as the music plays, the patented Constant Power circuitry automatically adapts to the wide range of nominal and frequency-dependent impedances. Any type of speaker may be used.”

For example, Rockford’s T1000-4ad four-channel amplifier automatically delivers 250W per channel to speakers with an impedance between 1 ohm to 4 ohms, when the audio signal demands it.

A similarly rated conventional amplifier typically only achieves 250W when a 1 ohm speaker is used. They are also known to deliver much less power at higher impedances.

“Mobile audio enthusiasts often go through the time and expense of installing powerful amplifiers and speakers in their cars to make it louder,” added Theresa Hephner, senior director of product development and marketing for Rockford Corporation. “To these high decibel fanatics, the perceived value of an amplifier is almost directly related to how much power it can deliver to the speaker. In this respect, the introduction of our ‘Constant Power’ amplifiers gives our dealers, install technicians and customers unprecedented convenience, value and performance.”