Abstract: A torsional vibration damper housing includes four or more components that are attached to one another utilizing a high intensity welding procedure. In particular, the housing includes a circular hub portion cut or machined from a flat plate. Attached to the hub portion is an inner hollow cylinder that is preferably cut to length from available tube stock. A pair of circular flat plates are attached to, and extend radially away from, the inner hollow cylinder. Finally, an outer hollow cylinder, which is also preferably cut to length from available tube stock, is attached adjacent the outer edges of the circular flat plates to define a housing having a sealed annular chamber with a rectangular cross section. The multi-component structure allows for the use of a ring mass having a nearly rectangular cross section and the use of relatively thinner walled housing components.

Abstract: A resonance torsional vibration damping system includes a member having at least one node location along its length. An energy exchanging device, such as a fly wheel and eddy current brake, is operably connected to the member at a damping location that is a distance away from the at least one node location. The energy exchanging device is capable of imparting a plurality of successive torsional impulses to the member. A suitable sensor, such as an angular amplitude sensor or a torsional stress sensor, is utilized to detect the presence of a resonance torsional vibration in the member. A computer is in communication with the energy exchanging device and the sensor, and is capable of controlling the energy exchanging device.

Abstract: A method of smart damping resonance torsional vibrations in a member capable of transmitting torque, such as a pulse driven rotating shaft. The damping system damps resonance torsional vibrations in the driven shaft by automatically imparting periodic torsional impulses in the opposite direction to the twisting motion from the torsional vibration. The periodic torsional impulses are of sufficient energy to effect damping in the driven shaft. In one specific vehicle driveline embodiment, a housing is attached to one end of the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine. The housing contains a high speed damper flywheel and an eddy current brake attached to the shaft with the ability to apply torsional impulses to the damper flywheel. The eddy current brake is controlled by a computer that continuously receives rotation rate information and torsional vibration amplitude signals from sensors mounted on the crank shaft.