Abstract: An apparatus and method for damping vibration of a vehicle part, such as a steering wheel or an electric motor. According to one embodiment, an apparatus (26) for damping vibration of a vehicle part (12) includes at least one container (50) having a chamber (56) defined by at least one interior wall (58). The container (50) is associated with the vehicle part (12). A plurality of particles (52) is disposed in the chamber (56). The particles (52), when at rest, occupy a first portion (82) of the chamber (56) and define an unoccupied second portion (84) of the chamber. The particles (52) move back and forth between the first and second portions (82 and 84) of the chamber (56) in response to vibration of the vehicle part (12) and collide with each other and with the interior wall (58) defining the chamber to damp the vibration of the vehicle part.

Abstract: A vibration damping treatment for damping vibration of a structure includes a viscoelastic material and a plurality of flakes or platelets distributed in the viscoelastic material. The vibration damping material provides damping along more than one axis. An adhesive located on one surface of the viscoelastic material attaches the vibration damping treatment to the structure. Alternately, the vibration damping treatment is applied to the structure as a coating. The width and height dimensions of the flakes or platelets, preferably has a rectangular, square, or irregular cross-section. The viscoelastic material is selected from the group of acrylics, silicones, polymers and elastomers. The flakes or platelets are selected from the group of graphite, hard plastic, ceramic, steel, aluminum, clay, mica, and magnesium. A volume fraction of the flakes is between 5% and 50%. A constraining layer is not required.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for damping vibration of a vehicle part, such as a steering wheel or an electric motor, is provided. According to one embodiment, an apparatus (26) for damping vibration of a vehicle part (12) includes at least one container (50) having a chamber (56) defined by at least one interior wall (58). The container (50) is associated with the vehicle part (12). A plurality of particles (52) is disposed in the chamber (56). The particles (52), when at rest, occupy a first portion (82) of the chamber (56) and define an unoccupied second portion (84) of the chamber. The particles (52) move back and forth between the first and second portions (82 and 84) of the chamber (56) in response to vibration of the vehicle part (12) and collide with each other and with the interior wall (58) defining the chamber to damp the vibration of the vehicle part.

Abstract: A damped instrument kinematic mount providing novel damping features to protect instruments from damaging flight loads. The mounting scheme utilizes any number of identical strut elements to greatly reduce manufacturing complexity and costs. Improved kinematic mount performance is achieved by arranging the six strut configuration to approximately uncouple the mount suspension modes. A spherical joint damper is located at strut flexure locations and utilizes a viscoelastic damping material that deforms in shear. Alternatively, cylindrical slot mount dampers are placed at strut flexure locations. The cylindrical slot mount dampers use o-rings or washers placed within the slotted machined mount bar stock. The kinematic mounts can then be arranged in a classical truss arrangement pattern or other configuration providing desired damping characteristics.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (10) for isolating an operating device against multi-dimensional disturbances which includes a series of spring assemblies (12) that are affixed between a support platform (14) and an operating device (16). The series of spring assemblies are affixed to a support platform (14) and mounted in three paired units to provide global isolation of the operating device against forces that act in five directions. Each spring assembly is equipped with a first and second set of spring elements (20) and (22) which absorb disturbance forces acting in an axial direction. The spring element (22) is a damping unit (30) which dampens the lateral vibrational forces caused by dynamic imbalance of the vibration-generating source. Included with each spring assembly is a load diverter (50) which serves to insulate the operating device against the sudden high vibrational forces that might be incurred during the launch of a satellite during the first minutes of the launch.

Abstract: Vibration damping devices for skis and other applications, the damping devices comprising a Cantilevered Impact/Friction Damper (CIFD) and an Improved Constrained Layer Damper (ICLD), the CIFD including a frame affixed to a portion of the vibrating body and having a cantilevered tubular member adapted for oscillation relative to the frame such that when subject to high amplitude vibration, a free end of the tubular member having a mass alternately strikes a pair of confronting stops, the tubular member having a plurality of particles disposed therein which dissipate low amplitude vibration through inter-particle friction; the ICLD comprising a spacer member having at least one layer of viscoelastic material and at least one constraining layer attached thereto, the spacer member having a plurality of slots spaced along the longitudinal extent thereof to reduce the bending stiffness of the spacer member without diminishing the damping effect.