Inertia Of Damping Mass Dissipates Motion (e.g., Vibration Damper) Patents (Class 188/378)
  • Patent number: 7461728
    Abstract: A system (100, 200, 300) for damping vibrations of a vibratory structure (104, 308). The damping system includes an active damper (112, 124, 128, 216), a vibration sensor (116, 208, 208A?-C?), and a controller (120, 212) for controlling the active damper in a manner that damps vibration of the vibratory structure. In some embodiments, the active damper comprises an active mass (132, 220, 220A?-C?, 220A?-C?) and an actuator (136) for controlling the movement of the active mass. In other embodiments, the active damper comprises a flexural damper (128).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
    Inventors: Dryver R. Huston, Brian Esser, James O. Plumpton
  • Publication number: 20080283300
    Abstract: A drill rig includes a carrier platform and a drilling unit carried by the carrier platform. The drilling unit includes a support frame pivotally mounted on the carrier platform, a slider frame slidably mounted upon and surrounding the support frame, a drilling support mechanism mounted on the slider frame, a drill portion rotatable relative to said drilling support mechanism, and a power means for effecting rotation of the drill portion. When a drilling operation is to be effected, the support frame is pivotally moved to assume a substantially vertical position, and the slider frame is slidably moved along the support frame to an operative position for effecting a drilling operation. The support frame comprises two main tower beams partially covered in High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, and the slider frame which surrounds the support frame comprises plates positioned on the top and bottom of the tower beams, with inside and outside joiner plates encasing the sides of the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Jerry Jones
  • Publication number: 20080224437
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a dynamic vibration absorber which is designed to suppress the vibrations of the piston rod of the shock absorber. The dynamic vibration absorber includes a damping mass which is formed as a dirt shield to protect the shock absorber from contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gert Vanhees
  • Publication number: 20080196987
    Abstract: A stopper structure includes a first stopper surface and a second stopper surface that are provided between a vehicle body and a rear suspension member that are connected to each other in a manner such that the vehicle body and the rear suspension member are displaced relative to each other. When the rear suspension member is displaced relative to the vehicle body, the second stopper surface contacts the vehicle body to perform a stopper function a predetermined time after the first stopper surface contacts the vehicle body to function the stopper function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji NIWA
  • Patent number: 7410039
    Abstract: A tunable vibration absorption device is provided that is suitable for active or semi-active vibration absorption or damping of vibrations in vibrating structures. It comprises a stack including a force actuator mechanism for generating an axial actuation force and a force sensor mechanism which is responsive to an external force acting on the stack to generate a force signal. A controller unit is electrically connected to the force sensor mechanism for receiving the force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism, and it is also electrically connected to the force actuator mechanism for adjusting the axial actuation force generated by the force actuator mechanism in response to the received force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd.
    Inventors: Siu Wing Or, Lai Wa Helen Chan-Wong, Ping Kong Joseph Choy, Chou Kee Peter Liu
  • Publication number: 20080179150
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a latch mechanism configured to securely fasten a first member to a second member and a dampening system configured to reduce acoustical noise generated in response to actuation of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Steven S. Homer, Dan V. Forlenza, Earl W. Moore
  • Patent number: 7404324
    Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is provided that includes a container that defines a cavity. A sensor suit or ISA having a housing is provided in the container of the IMU. A dampening material is provided between the housing of the ISA and the container of the IMU. The dampening material may be applied by coating, spraying, or dipping, or may be separately molded and then inserted, if desired. A sway space may also be provided between the ISA and the IMU container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Todd L. Braman, Owen Grossman, Erik J. Hovland
  • Patent number: 7393575
    Abstract: A damper component for absorbing and dissipating vibration and/or noise resonating from a device is provided. The damper component includes a viscoelastic damper layer, and a continuous constraining layer intimately contacting and encasing the damper layer. The constraining layer has a greater stiffness and higher modulus of dynamic shearing elasticity than the damper layer. The constraining layer is a molded sheet molding compound that is substantially immiscible with the viscoelastomer to provide a discrete interface between the constraining layer and the damper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Material Sciences Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Boss
  • Publication number: 20080142633
    Abstract: Helicopter reduced vibration axial support struts and aircraft suspension system are disclosed with at least one vibration controlling fluid containing strut. The powered struts include an outer rigid housing containing an inner rigid member and first and second variable volume fluid chambers. Fluid pressure differentials are created between the first and second variable volume fluid chambers to control motion between the strut ends. The powered fluid containing struts, support isolators, suspension systems, and methods of operation provide reduced helicopter aircraft vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Dennis McGuire, Lane R. Miller, Mark R. Jolly, Askari Badre-Alam
  • Patent number: 7383929
    Abstract: An anti-vibration apparatus includes a first magnet unit arranged on a support target and including a first permanent magnet, and a second magnet unit including a pair of second permanent magnets. The pair of second permanent magnets is arranged to interpose the first permanent magnet without contact such that the same magnetic poles of the first and second permanent magnets oppose each other. Sizes of the first and second magnet units are set such that a force acting between the first and second magnet units in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first magnet unit supports the support target is zero in a relative positional range between the first and second magnet units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobushige Korenaga
  • Patent number: 7383108
    Abstract: A vertical acceleration compensator is employed in the braking system of a vehicle wheel that undergoes vertical motion relative to the vehicle frame. The vertical acceleration compensator senses the vertical movement of the vehicle wheel relative to the vehicle frame and includes first and second component elements that form a variable volume compensation chamber. The vertical acceleration compensator is coupled in fluid communication with a brake fluid reservoir and a fluid actuated brake mechanism. The first and second compensator elements may be coupled to the vehicle wheel and to the vehicle frame. As a result, upward movement of the vehicle wheel relative to the vehicle frame reduces the volume of the compensation chamber, while downward movement of the vehicle wheel relative to the vehicle frame increases volume of the compensation chamber. A reduction in volume of the compensation chamber increases brake line pressure, thereby increasing the braking force on the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Charles R. Curnutt
  • Publication number: 20080108469
    Abstract: A pump drive for a vehicle transmission pump. A transmission input torque member is operable to carry prime mover torque. A source of pump torque includes a pump input torque member circumscribing the transmission input torque member to apply torque to the transmission pump. An overrunning clutch is interposed between the pump input torque member and the transmission input torque member to carry the prime mover torque from the transmission input torque member to the pump torque output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Lars Weinschenker, Zhenxing Fu, Robert Inderka
  • Patent number: 7357380
    Abstract: In order to reduce the formation of inherent vibrations in the coil spring in an anti-vibration element, in particular for a manually operated tool such as a chainsaw, a parting-off grinder or similar device and having a coil spring, an additional mass is positioned on the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Johannes Menzel, Jens Helge Kutzbach
  • Patent number: 7354637
    Abstract: A fitting type damper and a process thereof being capable of increasing largely slipping torque in strength are ones that the large slipping torque can be increased not only when the damper is a new product but also after a heat aging test and/or a durability test are performed. And, the damper is one that ?-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane 4, which is an organosilane used as a non-slip agent, is adhered and fitted between a hub 1 formed by some metal parts and a rubber elastic body 3, and between a inertia mass body 2 formed by some metal parts and the rubber elastic body 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fukoku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Tagawa, Mikihito Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20080019629
    Abstract: An improved bearing system for use in high speed rotating machinery, such as a turbocharger, wherein a shaft is rotatably supported by a floating bearing cartridge having axially spaced angular contact bearings each with a set of bearing balls supported between inner and outer races. The bearing cartridge includes an inner spacer sleeve for axially spacing the inner bearing races, and a rotationally floating outer sleeve having a pair of radially inwardly open grooves for removably receiving snap-type retaining rings which engage and axially space the outer bearing races. The axial dimension of the inner spacer sleeve is elongated slightly relative to an axial dimension defined between outboard faces of the installed retaining rings, thereby slightly unloading the sets of bearing balls from their respective outer bearing races. Such slight axial unloading enhances smooth-running operation with minimal bearing wear, while accommodating transient loads during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Robert D. McKeirnan
  • Patent number: 7306082
    Abstract: A support structure supporting a movable component is provided with a vibration damper in the form of at least one cavity in the structure, the cavity being filled with a composite material; preferably a composite material of about 80% butyl rubber and 20% carbon particles. The composite material is preferably bonded to the cavity walls by adhesive or mechanically coupled by a texture on the cavity walls. The rubber composite may be first moulded then inserted into the cavity or may be injected into the cavity and moulded by the cavity. The cavities may be provided with a vent to facilitate insertion or injection of the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore PTE LTD.
    Inventors: Ka Shing Kenny Kwan, Srikanth Narasimalu, Murali Saranagapani, Sathish Kumar Balakrishnan
  • Patent number: 7290642
    Abstract: A magnetic spring device with negative stiffness contains at least one first pole body combination composed of at least one first, at least one second and at least one third pole body, which each have opposite magnetic poles, with the pole bodies in the combination being aligned such that opposite poles are opposite one another and the first and the third pole bodies assume a defined distance from one another, in which the second pole body is arranged, with the pole bodies being arranged such that they can move relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Heiland
  • Patent number: 7284527
    Abstract: A tuned vibration absorber is disclosed that includes a base, a spring mounted to the base, and a mass mounted to the spring. The absorber is particularly, advantageous when mounted to a specific vehicle component via a mounting bolt that is already employed to mount that particular component. For example, a tuned vibration absorber may be mounted to a cam cover bolt on a cam cover in order to absorb undesirable vibrations at a particular frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Eric Herrera, Bilal A. Bazzi
  • Patent number: 7281522
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor state detecting apparatus for detecting a state of an acceleration sensor provided at a vibrating body includes a calculating method for calculating a difference between measured results of the acceleration sensor obtained per first predetermined time that is shorter than a vibration period of the vibrating body, and a determining method for determining that the acceleration sensor is in an error state in a case that a state in which the difference calculated falls into a range between a predetermined upper limit value and a predetermined lower limit value continues for a second predetermined time or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignees: Aisin Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Sato, Kentaro Hirose, Hiroyuki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7275627
    Abstract: An active vibration suppression apparatus includes a rotating actuator which is fixed to a vibration suppression target and generates a torque in a rotational direction, an inertial load which is connected to the actuator and moves in the rotational direction relative to the vibration suppression target in accordance with a torque of the actuator, and a driving circuit for generating a driving command signal for controlling the inertial load and driving the rotating actuator in accordance with the driving command signal. The rotating actuator rotates/drives the inertial load with a generated torque, and reduces vibrations produced in the vibration suppression target by applying a drive reaction force generated upon rotating/driving the inertial load as a control torque to the vibration suppression target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiko Mayama
  • Publication number: 20070221460
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for use in an internal combustion engine including: a rigid housing having a hollow space; an independent mass member housed within the hollow space; and at least one rubber sleeve being independent of the housing and the mass member and being disposed within an empty space between the housing and the mass member so as to extend over an entire circumference of the empty space with a constant thickness dimension. An inside tiny gap is formed between an inner circumferential surface of the rubber sleeve and an outer surface of the mass member over an entire circumference thereof, while an outside tiny gap is formed between an outer circumferential surface of the rubber sleeve and an inner surface of the housing over an entire circumference thereof at room temperature of 25° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shijie Guo, Atsushi Muramatsu, Yoshinori Yasumoto, Takehiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7267740
    Abstract: A vehicle vibration-damping device including a rigid housing and an independent mass member housed in the housing and having a metallic mass of circular shape in section and a rubber elastic body layer adhered to the metallic mass. A distance of a gap between opposing surfaces of the housing and the metallic mass in the radial direction, with the housing and metallic mass disposed coaxially, is set to between 0.5 and 2 mm. The rubber elastic body layer is formed around an entire outer peripheral surface of the metallic mass by a vulcanization molding of a rubber material filling the gap, and thermal contraction is used both to cause the rubber elastic body layer to peel from the housing and to cause it to adhere onto the outer peripheral surface of the metallic mass to thereby fabricate a small gap of no more than 0.1 mm. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Yasumoto, Kouichi Maeda
  • Patent number: 7252182
    Abstract: A vibration isolation structure for an image-forming apparatus includes an exposure unit disposed in a vehicle compartment, for applying radiation to a subject and capturing a radiation image of the subject; a support post fixedly mounted in the compartment of the vehicle; a holder for holding the exposure unit; and a vibration-suppressing mechanism for connecting the support post and the holder to each other to suppress vibrations transmitted from the vehicle through the support post to the holder. The vibration-suppressing mechanism may include a resilient member disposed between the support post and the holder, holding the holder swingably with respect to the support post. The resilient member may include a helical spring or a plurality of resilient components. The resilient member may have characteristics established depending on the weight and position of the center of gravity of the holder or exposure unit, or conditions in which the vehicle is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yuzuru Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 7243764
    Abstract: A friction damper with a housing including a cavity. The damper includes a first member disposed in the cavity and movable in the cavity; a second member disposed in the cavity; an intermediate member between the first and second members, the first member being in frictional engagement with the intermediate member; and at least one magnetic field generator mounted to magnetically couple the first and second members thereby maintaining the first member in frictional engagement with the intermediate member and wherein the first member is movable against the intermediate member to generate a damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: J. David Carlson
  • Patent number: 7232017
    Abstract: A pole vibration damping means includes an annular housing with internal radial pole encircling chambers in which lead spheres are provided for effecting damping of first mode harmonic vibrations with the assembly being attached to the upper end portion of the pole and operating in conjunction with a pole vibration damping device mounted medially for damping second harmonic mode vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Kearney-National Inc.
    Inventor: Ray C. Minor
  • Patent number: 7222704
    Abstract: A selective damping apparatus includes at least one sensor for detecting, and producing signals indicative of at least the frequency and amplitude of vibrations of a first structural component (a “resonant structure”) having one or more resonant frequencies. At least one vibration generator is provided for generating damping vibrations for application to the resonant structure, as well as a controller for controlling the operation of the vibration generator in delayed response to the signals produced by the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor and at least one vibration generator are adapted to cooperate with a second structural component (a “non-resonant structure”) that is relatively insensitive to the resonant frequencies of the resonant structure. The nonresonant structure is connected or coupled to the resonant structure either directly or indirectly, via one or more intermediate structural components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: John B. Pearson, Philip A. Emery
  • Patent number: 7206681
    Abstract: A vibration management system for a work machine may include at least one machine component configured to respond to input commands from an operator of the machine. One or more vibration sensors may be configured to output a signal indicative of a vibration level experienced by the operator. A controller may be configured to monitor the output signal from the one or more vibration sensors and determine an average vibration level experienced by the operator. The controller may also be configured to monitor the input commands from the operator and calculate a predicted response of the at least one machine component to at least one of the input commands. The controller may also be configured to determine a predicted vibration effect on the operator based on the predicted response and adjust an actual response of the at least one machine component to the at least one operator input command based on the predicted vibration effect and the average vibration level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Allen Casey, Norval Paul Thomson, Vernon Richard Smith
  • Patent number: 7172800
    Abstract: A damper component for absorbing and dissipating vibration and/or noise resonating from a device is provided. The damper component includes a viscoelastic damper layer, and a continuous constraining layer intimately contacting and encasing the damper layer. The constraining layer has a greater stiffness and higher modulus of dynamic shearing elasticity than the damper layer. The constraining layer is a molded sheet molding compound that is substantially immiscible with the viscoelastomer to provide a discrete interface between the constraining layer and the damper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Material Sciences Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Boss
  • Patent number: 7125211
    Abstract: A machine tool for performing a machine tool function including components adapted to cooperate with each other to execute the machine tool function. The machine tool has a number of constituent parts and a number of sheets of damping material. Each component includes constituent parts with sheets of damping material interposed between the constituent parts. The sheets dampen vibration of the machine tool during performance of the machine tool function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Racer Machinery International Inc.
    Inventor: Don Zoran
  • Patent number: 7114711
    Abstract: A method for controlling vibrations includes receiving the vibrations from a vibration-generating substructure at at least two vibration diverters and diverting the vibrations away from each of the vibration diverters, using the respective vibration diverters, to a vibration confiner that interconnects the vibration diverters. The vibration diverters can include passive elements, e.g., plates, ribs, notched plates, plates having wells, etc., active elements, e.g., actuators, sensor/actuators, etc., or a combination of passive and active elements. The vibration confiner can include a passive layer damping material for dissipating vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Allaei
  • Patent number: 7114692
    Abstract: A vibration isolation device for isolating a vibration source from a carried member, includes: a carrier for carrying the carried member; a housing positioned on the vibration source, and formed with an accommodating space; a cover for sealing an open end of the housing; a base mounted in the accommodating space, and extended through the cover to be connected to the carrier; a plurality of connecting members mounted in the accommodating space and around the base, wherein each of the connecting members is connected to the base and the cover; and a plurality of actuators provided in the connecting members respectively, for changing vibration of the connecting members and the base when the vibration source vibrates, so as to minimize vibration of the carrier, thereby achieving the effect of isolating vertical and horizontal vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yann-Shuoh Sun, Wei-Han Wang, Jen-Hua Wu, Yen-Chieh Mao
  • Patent number: 7108111
    Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator that includes a double acting mechanical spring assembly that is mounted to act in parallel with a fluid or liquid spring assembly. The mechanical spring is arranged to provide a first spring rate over a first displacement range and a second spring rate over a further second displacement range. The liquid spring is connected to an accumulator by control circuitry that is under the control of a microprocessor to release stored energy which combines with that of the mechanical spring to rapidly dissipate the input G forces to a level sufficient to protect a substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Enidine Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerald J. Spyche, Jr., Kenichi Tomita
  • Patent number: 7086509
    Abstract: A vibration isolator with an adjustable response. A vibration isolator for isolating a vibration source from a support structure include a base in engagement with the support structure and two supports connected to the base. At least one of the supports is slidably connected to the base. A flexible member having a generally elongate shape and an elongate length is supported by the two supports. The flexible member is attachable to the vibration source. Each support slidably engages the flexible member such that the flexible member can move relative to each support with the support that is slidably connected to the base being moveable along the elongate length of the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventors: John Cunningham, Robert E. Roemer
  • Patent number: 7073644
    Abstract: In order to control an internal pressure of an air spring appropriately without being influenced by a change in supply pressure, an anti-vibration system includes an air spring as an actuator for an anti-vibration table, a pressure control valve for controlling the internal pressure of the air spring, a pressure sensor for detecting the air supply pressure to the pressure control valve, a driving system for actuating the pressure control valve in accordance with a detection signal of the pressure sensor, and a variable gain compensation system for performing variable gain compensation to an input signal to the driving system for the pressure control valve, on the basis of the detection signal of the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kato
  • Patent number: 7063192
    Abstract: An active vibration suppression apparatus includes an actuator fixed to a vibration suppression target, an inertial load driven relative to the target by the actuator, and a driving system which drives the actuator based on a first signal corresponding to the vibration, generated or to be generated, of the target. The driving system includes a compensation unit which performs a compensation for the first signal. The compensation, separately or as a composite compensation includes (i) a linear compensation for the first signal to obtain a first compensated signal, and (ii) a nonlinear compensation for the first compensated signal to obtain a second compensated signal. A rate of a change in the second compensated signal to a change in an absolute value of the first compensated signal becoming less with an increase of the absolute value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiko Mayama
  • Patent number: 7040467
    Abstract: A friction damper a housing including a cavity formed therein; a first member disposed in said cavity and movable in the cavity; a second member disposed in the cavity; an intermediate member between the first and second members, the first member being in frictional engagement with the intermediate member; and at least one magnetic field generator mounted to magnetically couple the first and second members thereby maintaining the first member in frictional engagement with the intermediate member and wherein the first member is movable against the intermediate member to generate a damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: J. David Carlson
  • Patent number: 7013206
    Abstract: One or several vibration dampers of a vehicle suspension have a damping force arrangement wherein a control signal is computed within the actuating range in accordance with a standard control method for adjusting the damper characteristic. The drive of a damper adjustable in accordance with this invention is so improved that body movements (notwithstanding a harder adjusted damping for critical driving situations) are substantially suppressed as early as possible. In specific driving situations, the adjusting range of the damper force is changed in that the upper limit of the adjusting range is raised or lowered and/or the lower limit of the adjusting range is raised or lowered. A soft damper setting takes place preferably in dependence upon signals which announce or display a change of the vehicle longitudinal deceleration or vehicle transverse acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignees: Continental Aktiengesellschaft, ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Alexander Stiller, Stefan Sommer, Jörg Grotendorst, Eberhard Hees, Thomas Kutsche, Wolfgang Schumacher, Christian Maurischat
  • Patent number: 7004294
    Abstract: A vibration absorber assembly including a disc shaped housing having a central rotational axis and a plurality of radially elongated cavities, and a plurality of movable masses, each movable mass being housed in, and movable within, one of the plurality of radially elongated cavities. The plurality of movable masses are movable in the plurality of radially elongated cavities to absorb torsional vibration, and/or alter moment of inertia of the vibration absorber assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Williams
  • Patent number: 7004291
    Abstract: A method for damping torsional vibrations in a rotating shaft. The method includes coupling an actuator to a shaft; rotating the shaft; determining an amount of torsional vibration in the shaft; and controlling the actuator in response to the amount of torsional vibration and a rotational position of the shaft to damp the torsional vibration in the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Paul Schankin, Mark Norman Ranek, Daniel Victor Sagady
  • Patent number: 6991077
    Abstract: A vibration-damping device includes: a damper mass having a housing member with an accommodation space, an independent mass member housed within the accommodation space with a slight spacing therebetween so that the independent mass member is independent of the housing member and is freely displaceable within the accommodation space of the housing member to come into impact on the housing member via an elastic member; and a metallic spring member to be fixed at a plurality of fixing portions thereof on the vibrative member for elastically supporting the damping mass vibrative member, such that the housing member of the damper mass is fixed to a portion of the metallic spring member through which a principal elastic axis of the metallic spring member extends, and that a center of gravity of the damper mass is located on the principal elastic axis of the metallic spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Maeno, Katsuhiko Katagiri
  • Patent number: 6986412
    Abstract: A tuned cradle type damping deice which can be tuned with low-order (e.g., 1 Hz or lower) vibration, and exhibits higher performance for maintenance and inspection with a simple constitution than a conventional one. This tuned cradle type damping device comprises: a support having a circular-arc support surface which is at least a part of a circle; two swings positioned on both outsides of a center axis extending direction of the circular-arc support surface of the support; and two rollers which are rotatably supported on the circular-arc support surface to be rolled thereon and moved around the center axis thereof, and both ends of which are rotatably connected to the two swings to support the two swings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignees: Tokai University Educational Systems, Nippon Comsys Corporation
    Inventors: Yoji Shimazaki, Morio Obata, Wataru Morijiri
  • Patent number: 6984432
    Abstract: A fitting type damper and a process thereof being capable of increasing largely slipping torque in strength are ones that the large slipping torque can be increased not only when the damper is a new product but also after a heat aging test and/or a durability test are performed. And, the damper is one that ?-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane 4, which is an organosilane used as a non-slip agent, is adhered and fitted between a hub 1 formed by some metal parts and a rubber elastic body 3, and between a inertia mass body 2 formed by some metal parts and the rubber elastic body 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Fukoku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Tagawa, Mikihito Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6968932
    Abstract: The dual mass flywheel reduces torsional vibrations by being mounted between the engine and the transmission, The dual mass flywheel includes a primary mass configured to couple to a crankshaft, and a first drive plate coupled to the primary mass by disposing a main elastic member therebetween. A pair of second drive plates are coupled to the first drive plate by disposing an idle elastic member therebetween. A secondary mass is fixedly coupled to the pair of second drive plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Soon-Jae Hong
  • Patent number: 6966839
    Abstract: A propshaft assembly with a shaft structure and an insert member. The insert member has a front end having a first slot and a rear end having a second slot. The first slot is configured to at least partially overlap the second slot providing a staggered slot configuration, which ensures a proper fit when installed into the shaft structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Tomonelli
  • Patent number: 6954686
    Abstract: A method of tuning a vibration absorber on a driving frequency, in which the absorber includes a damper block secured to a support having one end fixedly mounted in an orifice, includes the steps of: a measurement step for estimating the offset between the tuned frequency of the absorber and the driving frequency in order to produce a reference value; and an adjustment step of adjusting at least one adjustment value of the absorber to the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Pierre-Antoine Aubourg, Gianni Naccarato
  • Patent number: 6953109
    Abstract: A vibration isolator (200) for isolating a first assembly (202) from vibration from a second assembly (204) includes a housing (206) that is secured to the second assembly (204) and a pendulum assembly (208). The pendulum assembly (208) includes one or more pistons (226) and a connector assembly (224). The piston (226) is coupled to the first assembly (202). The connector assembly (224) couples the piston (226) to the housing (206) and allows the piston (226) to swing laterally relative to the housing (206). The vibration isolator (200) can also include a pendulum support (264) and/or a mover (580) that moves the piston (226) and assists in supporting the load of the first assembly (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Watson, Alton H. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6938515
    Abstract: Flexural vibrations are reduced in rotating components, such as rotating cylinders of a rotary printing press. One or more actuators are placed in a groove or recess in the cylinder. These actuators act in the axial direction of the rotating component. The amount of force exerted by said actuator will vary with the rotational position of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erhard Herbert Glöckner, Bernd Ulrich Herbert Keller
  • Patent number: 6935206
    Abstract: A method of producing an optimized structure design incorporating vibration confinement is provided. The method includes providing structural specifications and vibration confinement specifications for the structure. The method includes selecting a confinement region. Optimizing the design of the structure incorporating the confinement region in response to the structural specifications and confinement specifications is included in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Alleai
  • Patent number: 6935471
    Abstract: The invention provides a dynamic beater comprising a spring-mass unit, said unit having a mass M and a stiffness K actuated by a drive motor and presenting a device for coupling to a host structure for damping, the beater presenting a first acceleration sensor secured to said mass and delivering a first signal s1, and a second acceleration sensor for mounting on the host structure and delivering a second signal s2, and also having a power amplifier supplying an output signal for controlling the drive motor in response to an input signal E which is a function of a difference between the signals from the first and second acceleration sensors after passing at least one of said signals through at least one lowpass filter and/or phase delay type filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventor: Mathieu Noe
  • Patent number: 6920794
    Abstract: A vibration control system for a rotary machine having a rotor, includes a sensor disposed within the rotary machine for sensing vibration of the rotor, a vibration damping device disposed within the rotary machine for imparting a reaction force to the rotor, and a controller arranged in operable communication with the sensor and the vibration damping device. The controller is adapted to receive a sensor signal from the sensor and to send a control signal to the vibration damping device for damping the vibration of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Huageng Luo, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Imdad Imam