Abstract: Devices, systems, and related methods for balancing two or more pieces of independently rotating (e.g., not synchrophased) machinery are provided. In some aspects, the devices, systems, and methods can provide improved balancing techniques and can include providing a controller configured to simultaneously measure/receive vibration data and control balancers, one balancer at a time. In some aspects, the controller can calculate a beating cycle or a beating period using vibration data received from multiple rotating machines. In some aspects, a balance correction command can be derived in part from either one of: (a) an interpolation of an average vibration of the first rotating machine from a complex vibration of the multiple rotating machines or (b) an average vibration derived from one or more rules applied based upon the duration of the beating period or the beating cycle.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and related methods for balancing two or more pieces of independently rotating (e.g., not synchrophased) machinery are provided. In some aspects, the devices, systems, and methods can provide improved balancing techniques and can include providing a controller configured to simultaneously measure/receive vibration data and control balancers, one balancer at a time. In some aspects, the controller can calculate a beating cycle or a beating period using vibration data received from multiple rotating machines. In some aspects, a balance correction command can be derived in part from either one of: (a) an interpolation of an average vibration of the first rotating machine from a complex vibration of the multiple rotating machines or (b) an average vibration derived from one or more rules applied based upon the duration of the beating period or the beating cycle.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological fluid damper includes a damper body having a reservoir for a magneto-rheological fluid, a piston rod, a piston rod guide disposed within the damper body, where the piston rod guide has a passage therein for receiving the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes at least a first piston rod seal and at least a second piston rod seal arranged to seal between the piston rod guide and the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a fluid chamber defined between the piston rod guide and the piston rod, the fluid chamber being in communication with the reservoir. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a piston rod guide filter arranged in a communication path between the fluid chamber and the reservoir to filter particulates out of the magneto-rheological fluid entering the fluid chamber. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes an accumulator arranged between the piston rod guide and the damper body.

Abstract: A digital processing link for a vibration control system collects sensor signals at a transfer station and combines the sensor signals into a collective signal that is transmitted under a digital communications protocol to a base station. The sensor signals are separated at the base station and individually processed to produce one or more output control signals to actuators for counteracting the measured vibration.

Abstract: A controllable suspension system for controlling the relative motion between a first body and a second body includes at least one strut including a magneto-rheological fluid damper. The fluid damper includes a piston rod guide disposed within a damper body. The piston rod guide has a passage therein for receiving a piston rod. A piston rod bearing assembly is disposed in the piston rod guide to engage with and support reciprocal motion of the piston rod. At least a first piston rod seal and at least a second piston rod seal are arranged to seal between the piston rod guide and the piston rod. A fluid chamber is defined between the piston rod guide and the piston rod. A piston rod guide gas charged accumulator is arranged between the piston rod and the damper body.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological fluid damper includes a damper body having a reservoir for a magneto-rheological fluid, a piston rod, a piston rod guide disposed within the damper body, where the piston rod guide has a passage therein for receiving the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes at least a first piston rod seal and at least a second piston rod seal arranged to seal between the piston rod guide and the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a fluid chamber defined between the piston rod guide and the piston rod, the fluid chamber being in communication with the reservoir. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a piston rod guide filter arranged in a communication path between the fluid chamber and the reservoir to filter particulates out of the magneto-rheological fluid entering the fluid chamber. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes an accumulator arranged between the piston rod guide and the damper body.

Abstract: A controlled equilibrium device comprising a housing; at least one spring, each at least one spring having a spring stiffness; and a load leveling device movable through the housing between a first maximum displacement position and a second maximum displacement position, the load leveling device comprising a deadband displacement zone defined between a first deadband displacement threshold and a second deadband displacement threshold, the displacement required to reach the first and second deadband displacement thresholds being less than the displacement distances required to reach the first and second maximum displacement positions, the at least one spring stiffness being substantially constant when the displacement of the load leveling device is within the deadband zone, the stiffness of the at least one spring being modified to a second stiffness when the load leveling device is equal to or beyond either the first deadband displacement threshold or the second deadband displacement threshold.

Abstract: A controlled equilibrium device comprising a housing; at least one spring, each at least one spring having a spring stiffness; and a load leveling device movable through the housing between a first maximum displacement position and a second maximum displacement position, the load leveling device comprising a deadband displacement zone defined between a first deadband displacement threshold and a second deadband displacement threshold, the displacement required to reach the first and second deadband displacement thresholds being less than the displacement distances required to reach the first and second maximum displacement positions, the at least one spring stiffness being substantially constant when the displacement of the load leveling device is within the deadband zone, the stiffness of the at least one spring being modified to a second stiffness when the load leveling device is equal to or beyond either the first deadband displacement threshold or the second deadband displacement threshold.

Abstract: A vibration control apparatus (20) and method for a calender (18) for controlling vibration between two or more rolls (ex. 22, 24) which controls vibration induced thickness variations in a medium (27) exiting from the nip. The apparatus (20) includes a frame (19), a first and second rolls (22, 24) mounted relative to the frame (19), and a force generator (32), such as an electromechanical active actuator, servo-hydraulic actuator, controllable semi-active damper, Active Vibration Absorber (AVA), or Adaptive Tuned Vibration Absorber (ATVA), provides cancelling forces to control vibration between the first and second roll (22, 24) thereby, controlling such vibration induced thickness variations in the medium (27). Preferably, the apparatus (20) includes at least one sensor (ex.

Abstract: This invention involves the integration of piezoelectric speaker panels and microphones into a personal computer with a sound card to form a novel multi-media computer. In addition noise cancellation electronics and algorithms are also applied to enhance performance of the voice recognition system.