Patents by Inventor Zhongshan Zhao

Zhongshan Zhao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Cable stay damper band and method of use for reduction of fluid induced cable vibrations
    Publication number: 20020170792
    Abstract: Fluid current induced vibrations, as well as vortex shedding vibrations induced in a cable stay or a similar elongated, cylindrical element are dampened and substantially eliminated by applying a plurality of flexible active or passive damper bands to the cable at spaced intervals. In underwater currents, the damper bands force or channel the fluid flow over a circular cross-sectional shape, which inhibits lift, and therefore damps the cable stay oscillations. These damper bands can be retrofit to existing cables or can be installed on new cables. Each damper band may include a shiftable mass and an energizing device for facilitating assisted shifting of the mass. A control assembly can actuate all or selected ones of the energizing devices in response to sensed magnitudes of cable stay vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: R. Scott Phelan, Partha P. Sarkar, Kishor C. Mehta, Thomas B. Gardner, Zhongshan Zhao
  • Distributed aerodynamic and mechanical damping of cables with active smart control
    Patent number: 6435323
    Abstract: A system for the mitigation of cable stay vibrations, typically induced by wind and rain, utilizes a plurality of active damper bands positioned along the cable stay. Each damper band includes a shiftable mass and an energizing device for facilitating assisted shifting of the mass. A control assembly can actuate all or selected ones of the energizing devices in response to sensed magnitudes of cable stay vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Tech University
    Inventors: R. Scott Phelan, Partha P. Sarkar, Kishor C. Mehta, Thomas B. Gardner, Zhongshan Zhao
  • Cable stay aerodynamic damper band and method of use
    Patent number: 6386526
    Abstract: Wind/rain induced vibrations, as well as vortex shedding vibrations induced in a cable stay or a similar elongated, cylindrical element are dampened and substantially eliminated by applying a plurality of flexible damper bands to the cable at spaced intervals. The damper bands break up the formation of rivulets of water at lower wind speeds. These damper bands can be retrofit to existing cables or can be installed on new cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Tech University
    Inventors: Partha P. Sarkar, R. Scott Phelan, Kishor C. Mehta, Thomas B. Gardner, Zhongshan Zhao
  • Distributed aerodynamic and mechanical damping of cables with active smart control
    Publication number: 20010026037
    Abstract: A system for the mitigation of cable stay vibrations, typically induced by wind and rain, utilizes a plurality of active damper bands positioned along the cable stay. Each damper band includes a shiftable mass and an energizing device for facilitating assisted shifting of the mass. A control assembly can actuate all or selected ones of the energizing devices in response to sensed magnitudes of cable stay vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: R. Scott Phelan, Partha P. Sarkar, Kishor C. Mehta, Thomas B. Gardner, Zhongshan Zhao