Inertia Of Damping Mass Dissipates Motion (e.g., Vibration Damper) Patents (Class 188/378)
  • Patent number: 6912518
    Abstract: A plan is a relaxation of the production management problem with time buckets: no precise lead times, no exact continuous balance of material. A schedule considers the full production management problem with all of the details. The present invention includes methods and systems for modeling plans and schedules and methods and systems for communicating between the planning and scheduling models. Bidirectional communication may be carried out between the planning model and the scheduling model to enable, for example, the planning model to be used as a hint during scheduling and to enable a new plan to be launched in the middle of a scheduling algorithm to update the results thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Georges-Henri Moll
  • Patent number: 6893720
    Abstract: An object such as an automobile part, an image forming apparatus part, a bicycle part, other machine parts, a sport article or its part, a toy or its part, or a rain article or its part has a portion to be in contact with a contact object. The contact portion is made of at least one kind of material selected from a group including polymer material such as resin or rubber as well as glass, and the contact portion has a surface entirely or partially coated with a carbon film (typically, a DLC film) having a wear resistance as well as at least one of a lubricity, a water repellency and a gas barrier property. The carbon film is formed on the object with a good adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Nissin Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakahigashi, Akira Doi, Yoshihiro Izumi, Hajime Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 6871565
    Abstract: A method for controlling vibration energy in a structure having a vibrating member using a vibration confinement device is provided. The vibrating member has boundaries and vibrates relative to the boundaries. The method includes selecting a vibration confinement region in the vibrating member relative to the boundaries. Determining an effective torsional stiffness and an effective translational stiffness for the vibration confinement device is included in the method. The method includes determining an operating position relative to the boundaries for the vibration confinement device on the vibrating member to define a determined position. The method includes positioning the vibration confinement device at the determined position to substantially confine the vibration energy to the vibration confinement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Allaei
  • Patent number: 6857231
    Abstract: A propeller controlled active tuned-liquid-column damper (TLCD), which can control and suppress the vibration thereof, such as building, tower, bridge, vehicle, ship, offshore platform, facilities, and instrument, etc. This invention is composed of a passive TLCD, one or more propellers, a gear-shaft unit, a servo-motor, and a computer-control system. One or more propellers are installed in a line along the gear-shaft unit inside the horizontal section of the U-shape vessel, the propellers are driven by a servo-motor controlled by the computer-control system which start the servo-motor to drive the propellers immediately. Both fluid (or water) acceleration and the propellers' thrust can yield the resistance force to increase the vibration-control ability significantly. The natural period of an open TLCD can be adjusted by only changing the wetted length, whereas a closed TLCD can be adjusted by changing the wetted length, air pressure and air volume in the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Yung-Hsiang Chen
  • Patent number: 6851529
    Abstract: An isolation strut and strut support system for supporting a load and capable of operating in a first mode and a second mode comprising an air suspension spring connected to a load bearing shaft; a hydraulic damping element having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a piston connected to the load bearing shaft. A hydraulic line has a valve therein, one end of the hydraulic line connected to the first chamber and the other end of the hydraulic line connected to the second chamber. A vibration detector is coupled to the valve for actuating the valve upon the occurrence of vibration of an abnormal quality; whereby, in a first mode of operation the load is rigidly attached to the ground via a load path through the hydraulic damping element and in a second mode the load is isolated by the air suspension spring and damped by the hydraulic damping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Jones, James H. Boyd, Dale T. Ruebsamen
  • Patent number: 6837345
    Abstract: A vibration damper for a tubular propeller shaft in the drive train of a motor vehicle having a mass body mounted concentrically, in the propeller shaft or in a sleeve attached in the propeller shaft, by way of at least one rubber spring element. Metal and/or flexible rubber stop elements that limit the vibration travel of the mass body at least in the radial direction are arranged between the mass body and the sleeve. Alternatively, the mass body and/or the sleeve are configured at least locally, in mutually opposite regions, as stop elements that limit the vibration travel of the mass body at least in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Christian Lauble, Franz Moser, Gunther Schlimpert, Roland Flinspach
  • Patent number: 6817352
    Abstract: A dynamic stabilizer comprising an elastomerically cushioned weight coaxially and movably mounted on an elastomerically cushioned support rod. In the preferred embodiment, the stabilizer includes a support rod, end caps, a vibration-absorbing mechanism, and a weight. The support rod is a generally cylindrical, elongated rigid member. The end caps are removably attached to each end of the support rod along the longitudinal central axis of the support rod. A threaded shaft, coaxial with the longitudinal central axis of the support rod, projects from the free end of one end cap to permit the stabilizer to removably attach to a threaded aperture in the forward face of a bow, or to a threaded aperture in a shock dampener or other archery bow accessory. The free end of the other end cap includes a threaded aperture, also coaxial with the longitudinal central axis of the support rod, to permit the removable attachment of other bow accessories to the stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Charles A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6816800
    Abstract: In relation to a vibration isolation system, which comprises at least one vibration isolation device that can be assigned to an isolation element, the fact that a method of recording the system with the aid of a closed-loop and/or open-loop control device is provided, in which a closed-loop and/or open-loop control structure can be predefined and in which signals and/or variables related to the isolation system are picked up, processed and/or provided, and in which, on the basis of the definable structures and variables, at least one isolation system characteristic data set for assessing the vibration isolation system is formed, means that for the first time the indicative fundamentals for an open system for evaluation, closed-loop and open-loop control are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Heiland
  • Publication number: 20040201148
    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: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: ASM Technology Singapore Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Ka Shing Kenny Kwan, Srikanth Narasimalu, Murali Saranagapani, Sathish Kumar Balakrishnan
  • Patent number: 6802405
    Abstract: A friction vibration damper for damping the vibrations of a vibrating component comprising a body, a chamber and a plurality of elements, the body defines the chamber which is partially filled with the plurality of elements, the friction vibration damper, in use, disposed on or in the vibrating component characterized in that the friction vibration damper is configured to substantially prevent the elements operationally moving in a convection-like flow pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Carl L Barcock, Geoffrey R Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 6796408
    Abstract: A method is provided for damping vibrations in a turbine. The method includes performing structural dynamics analysis on the turbine to determine at least one area of high vibrational stress on the turbine, and performing thermal analysis of the turbine to determine at least an approximated maximum operating temperature at the area of high vibrational stress. Additionally, the method includes utilizing hysteresis damping to dampen operational vibrations. The hysteresis damping includes selecting a shape memory alloy (SMA) having a martensitic-to-austenite transformation temperature substantially similar to the approximate maximum operating temperature of the component at the area of high vibrational stress, and disposing the selected SMA on the turbine on the related area of high vibratory stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Yang Sherwin, Donald G. Ulmer
  • Publication number: 20040173426
    Abstract: An assembly of a vibration-generating unit and a housing accommodating the unit includes a vibration damper. The unit is retained on the housing by way of at least one dampened spring configuration that is linked with the unit on the one hand and the housing on the other hand, each at a respective connecting point. The spring configuration has at least one single spring element that is capable of oscillating with a resonant frequency different from that of the single spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Athanasios Athanasiou
  • Patent number: 6763921
    Abstract: A reduced-vibration tube array is disclosed. The array includes a plurality of tubes in a fixed arrangement and a plurality of damping members positioned within the tubes. The damping members include contoured interface regions characterized by bracing points that selectively contact the inner surface of an associated tube. Each interface region is sized and shaped in accordance with the associated tube, so that the damping member bracing points are spaced apart a vibration-reducing distance from the associated tube inner surfaces at equilibrium. During operation, mechanical interaction between the bracing points and the tube inner surfaces reduces vibration by a damage-reducing degree. In one embodiment, the interface regions are serpentine shaped. In another embodiment, the interface regions are helical in shape. The interface regions may be simultaneously helical and serpentine in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald J. Bruck, Daniel R. Bartolomeo
  • Publication number: 20040135449
    Abstract: A vacuum line (10) comprising a vacuum-tight flexible tube section (22) and a vibration damper (16) axially parallel to the flexible tube section (22) serves to connect two vacuum devices (12,14). The vibration damper (16) is an actively regulated axial magnetic bearing. Thereby, a vibration damper with good dampening properties is realized. By changing the regulation parameters, the vibration damper is adaptable and not subjected to any mechanical wear. The transmission of structure-borne noise is avoided by the contactless vibration dampening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Beyer, Josef Hodapp, Heinrich Englander
  • Patent number: 6758312
    Abstract: An active system for isolating vibrations includes: at least one first vibratio-isolating device, arranged between a load and a sstanding surface, for at least partially decoupling the static and dynamic forces acting between the load and the standing surface, the first vibration-isolating device includes a passively isolating coupling element for mechanically decoupling the static and dynamic forces including a natural frequency; at least one second vibration-isolating device, assigned to the load, for imparting control forces to the load for actively damping the substantially decoupled dynamic forces, the second fibratio-isolating device including a coupling element for dynamically coupling said second vibration-isolating device to the load and the first isolating device<the coupling element including a natural frequency; means for tuning the control forces of the second vibratio-isolating device and the natural frequencies, wherein the control forces of the second vibration-isolating device and the natu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Heiland
  • Patent number: 6758313
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing an active vibration isolation system (AVIS) is provided. The AVIS includes a pneumatic control system and an electronic control system. The pneumatic control system supports a mass sensitive to vibration and isolates the mass from high frequency external disturbances. The electronic control system isolates the mass from low frequency external disturbances. The pneumatic control system includes a compliance chamber filled with a fluid to pneumatically support the mass, pressure sensor to measure the pressure level in the compliance chamber, and pneumatic actuator to control the pressure level to minimize the effects of pressure variation in the compliance chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Binnard
  • Patent number: 6757508
    Abstract: A damping member is fitted in the hollow cylindrical core of a photoconductive drum. The damping member is implemented as a hollow cylinder having one end thereof closed by an end wall. A jig is inserted into the damping member and caused to insert the damping member into the drum by pressing the end wall. The damping member is therefore easily fitted in the drum. The damping member is formed of an elastic material for damping vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takatsugu Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 6742393
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to constitute a high-accuracy position control system even for a low-rigidity object to be controlled. To achieve this object, a vibration control apparatus includes a measurement device which measures the elastic vibration of an object to be controlled, a driving device which applies a force to the object, and a compensation device which determines a force to be generated by the driving device. The measurement device measures at least a position component out of the position, speed, and acceleration components of the elastic vibration. The compensation device controls the elastic vibration of the object on the basis of position information measured by the measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 6742381
    Abstract: A damping performance evaluation apparatus for damping devices including: a support member detachably supporting a damping device in a state enabling the device to exhibit a damping effect thereof; a hammer member for applying oscillation force to the device caused by gravitational descent to strike the device; a double-strike preventing member for preventing the hammer member from dropping a second time due to rebound after initially striking the device, to prevent double-strike of the device by the hammer member; a vibration sensor installed at a vibration zone caused to vibrate through oscillation force applied by said hammer member, for outputting an electrical signal in response to vibration at the vibration zone; and a sensing member for sensing a vibration mode in the vibration zone on the basis of an output of said vibration sensor. A damping performance evaluation method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Maeno
  • Patent number: 6742412
    Abstract: A drive system that includes a drive shaft, which is or can be brought into torque-transmitting connection with a drive train, a secondary drive system for transmitting torque between the drive shaft and at least one auxiliary unit, and at least one vibration-damping device including a deflection mass carrier with freedom to rotate around a rotational axis and at least one deflection mass, which can shift position relative to the deflection mass carrier in at least one deflection plane. Upon deflection of the at least one deflection mass from the home position relative to the deflection mass carrier, the radial position of the deflection mass changes relative to the rotational axis. At least part of the vibration-damping device can be integrated into part of the secondary drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Feldhaus, Jürgen Weth, Bernd Peinemann
  • Publication number: 20040084267
    Abstract: A method for controlling vibration energy in a structure having a vibrating member using a vibration confinement device is provided. The vibrating member has boundaries and vibrates relative to the boundaries. The method includes selecting a vibration confinement region in the vibrating member relative to the boundaries. Determining an effective torsional stiffness and an effective translational stiffness for the vibration confinement device is included in the method. The method includes determining an operating position relative to the boundaries for the vibration confinement device on the vibrating member to define a determined position. The method includes positioning the vibration confinement device at the determined position to substantially confine the vibration energy to the vibration confinement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Allaei
  • Patent number: 6729451
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a two-wheeled vehicle that can absorb large energy generated in case of a collision effectively is easily mounted on the two-wheeled vehicle. A tabular top board and a lattice body are provided including a plurality of plate ribs being reduced in thickness from the proximal ends toward the distal ends and molded integrally with the top board so as to project upwardly thereon and intersectionally with respect to each other. Shock absorbing members of synthetic resin include projecting rib portions that are formed at outermost lattice openings So of the lattice body by extending some of the plate ribs that are disposed intersectionally with respect to each other outwardly and having the top board overhanging outwardly of the outermost lattice openings of the lattice body are disposed in such a manner that the direction of the plate ribs extending from the proximal ends toward the distal ends is oriented along the fore-and-aft direction of the two-wheeled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Yamagiwa
  • Publication number: 20040074724
    Abstract: A reduced-vibration tube array is disclosed. The array includes a plurality of tubes in a fixed arrangement and a plurality of damping members positioned within the tubes. The damping members include contoured interface regions characterized by bracing points that selectively contact the inner surface of an associated tube. Each interface region is sized and shaped in accordance with the associated tube, so that the damping member bracing points are spaced apart a vibration-reducing distance from the associated tube inner surfaces at equilibrium. During operation, mechanical interaction between the bracing points and the tube inner surfaces reduces vibration by a damage-reducing degree. In one embodiment, the interface regions are serpentine shaped. In another embodiment, the interface regions are helical in shape. The interface regions may be simultaneously helical and serpentine in shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald J. Bruck, Daniel R. Bartolomeo
  • Patent number: 6722481
    Abstract: A vibration-damping device includes a housing member and a pillar-shaped mass member housed within an accommodation space of the housing member with a slight spacing therebetween so that the mass member is freely displaceable within the accommodation space to come into impact on the housing member. A rubber buffer and an abutting rubber member integrally formed with each other and fixed to at least one of axial end portions of the mass member such that the rubber buffer covers an outer circumferential surface of the end portion of the mass member, and the abutting rubber member disposed over an end face of the axial end portion of the mass member. A void is formed between the abutting rubber member and the end portion of the mass member so that the abutting rubber member undergoes shear deformation upon an impact of the mass member on the housing member at the abutting rubber member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Maeno, Koichi Maeda
  • Patent number: 6719503
    Abstract: With high speed machine tools, there is a desire to dampen vibrations and to retain the damper mass in proper position. The present invention relates to a tuned damped absorber support providing simultaneous energy dissipation in both horizontal and vertical directions which also provides for proper mass position retention. The tuned damped absorber assembly is attached directly or indirectly to a machine component requiring damping. Both single damper mass and double damper mass configurations are shown. With a double damper mass, the system can be tuned to two different frequencies. Therefore, the double damper mass provides for optimization in both a vertical and a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Unova IP CORP
    Inventors: Paul E. McCalmont, Mark D. Kohring, Dennis A. Burt, Miles E. Loretta
  • Patent number: 6719108
    Abstract: Vibration damping device for vehicles includes: a rigid housing member having an accommodation space and fixed to a vibrative member; and an independent mass member having a rigid mass body and an elastic body layer bonded on the outer surface of the rigid mass body. The independent mass member is non-adhesively disposed in the accommodation space such that an outer surface of the independent mass member is opposed to the inner surface of the housing member with a predetermined gap distance therebetween, to thereby permit displacement of the independent mass member relative to the housing member. The independent mass member and the housing member is brought into elastic impact against each other at respective abutting surfaces thereof in at least one vibrational input direction. The elastic body layer has a spherical outer surface so as to facilitate bouncing displacement of the independent mass member within the accommodation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hasegawa, Rentaro Kato
  • Publication number: 20040065517
    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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas C. Watson, Alton H. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20040060792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for vibration isolation and cancellation, especially but not exclusively suited for a damper in wafer-chip production equipment. Active vibration isolation and cancellation technology (or air mount technology) for chip production equipment needs to become more effective with the advancement of the production of chips that require ever-smaller features. Typically, actuators and sensors in an active isolation/cancellation system are frequently used but not optimized in their technology. By integrating the actuators and the sensors together certain performance limitations become negligible and can be discarded. The resulting damper can be of an absolute or of a relative damper type. The performance of a vibration isolation and cancellation system and its limitations can be described using gain and phase relations from the control theory. A damper that uses the proposed system is of a so-called absolute damper type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Thomas P.H. Warmerdam
  • Patent number: 6712059
    Abstract: Disclosed is a finned vibration damper to damp vibrations in an object, especially in an archery bow. The invention is comprised of a base and a plurality of fins extending up from the base. The vibration damper is made of an elastic, rubbery material, such as an elastomer or elastic polymer. The base of the damper has a bottom surface which can be attached to an object by glue or an adhesive. In an alternative embodiment, the damper has interlocking extensions that allow the damper to be wrapped around and object so that extensions overlap and interlock. In another disclosed embodiment, the damper is a ring with fins extending radially out from a ring base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Lee Donovan
  • Patent number: 6708962
    Abstract: A mount that can be used to connect a vibration-generating substructure to a main structure. The mount uses vibration diverters to couple the vibration-generating substructure to the main structure. 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. A vibration confiner interconnects the actuators. The vibration confiner can include a passive layer damping material for dissipating vibrations. The vibration diverters divert vibrations from the vibration-generating substructure to the vibration confiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Allaei
  • Patent number: 6705440
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Tech University
    Inventors: R. Scott Phelan, Partha P. Sarkar, Kishor C. Mehta, Thomas B. Gardner, Zongshan Zhao
  • Patent number: 6701680
    Abstract: An energy absorbing seismic brace for both retrofit and new construction. The brace comprises a central strut of either multi-legged or homogeneous section fabricated from low strength aluminum, whose characteristics maximize the seismic energy absorption for a building installation. This central strut absorbs energy at high weight-specific levels by virtue of the hysteresis in its load-deflection relationship. In order to eliminate the possibility of buckling of the energy absorbing strut when it passes through the compression portion of a load cycle, it is surrounded by a system of spacers and an external sleeve providing very high bending rigidity at low weight. The spacers may be fabricated from low-density foams, pseudo-concrete, fibrous composites, or metals, depending upon the application. The outer sleeve may also be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending upon whether the embodiment calls for the principal bending rigidity to be provided by the spacers or sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kazak Composites, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jerome P. Fanucci, James J. Gorman
  • Patent number: 6702076
    Abstract: Vibration damping systems for use in conjunction with rotating hollow bodies are provided. The vibration damping systems include a tubular outer shaft having a proximal and a distal end and defining a lumen therethrough, a tubular inner shaft having a proximal and a distal end wherein the inner shaft is configured and dimensioned to be received within the lumen of the outer shaft and a plurality of toroidal vibration damping elements disposed between the proximal and the distal ends of the outer and inner shafts. At least one vibration damping element is affixed between the proximal and the distal end of the outer and inner shaft and each end most vibration nodal point of a series of nodal points located along a length of the outer and inner shafts. At least one vibration damping element is affixed between adjacent vibration nodal points of the series of nodal points along the length of the outer and the inner shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Michael T. Koleda
  • Patent number: 6695106
    Abstract: A tunable vibration isolator with active tuning elements having a housing which defines fluid chambers. A piston is disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chambers. A passage having a predetermined diameter extends through the piston to permit the vibration isolation fluid to flow from one fluid chamber to the other. The tunable vibration isolator may employ either a solid tuning mass approach or a liquid tuning mass approach. In either case, active tuning elements, or actuators, are disposed in the fluid chambers to selectively tune the vibration isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, Robert J. Pascal
  • Patent number: 6688439
    Abstract: A vibration damping system (8) wherein the system (8) comprises a magnetism generating medium (12) and a magnetism energy dissipating medium (16) whereby, in use, vibration of the magnetism generating medium (12) generates a magnetic field, the magnetism generating medium (12) and the magnetism energy dissipating medium (16) being so disposed with respect to each other that the magnetic field is then dissipated by the magnetism energy dissipating medium (16) thereby damping the vibrations of the magnetism generating medium (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Bishakh Bhattacharya, Jem Rongong, Geoffrey R Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 6675793
    Abstract: An archery bow shock dampener includes three main components—a base, a vibration-absorbing body, and a securement ring. The vibration-absorbing body is formed of an elastomeric material, such as a visco-elastic polymer and is sandwiched between the base and a securement ring. Within the vibration-absorbing body is a central disk having a shaft mounted to one face and projecting outwardly through the vibration-absorbing body and through an opening in the securement ring. An integrated threaded shaft on the base permits the shock dampener to be mounted, in a conventional fashion, on to the body of a bow while the threaded shaft on the central disk permits additional accessories, such as stabilizers, to be connected to the dampener. The dampener also includes an integrated washer, disposed between the vibration-absorbing body and the securement ring, which may tightened against the vibration-absorbing body to eliminate any sag that may occur if additional accessories are mounted on the dampener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Charles A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6672179
    Abstract: A ball screw shaft, having a longitudinal cylindrical internal cavity, closed at its ends by inserted terminals or plugs, housing vibration controlling members in the form of a pair of plied cables fastened tensioned to the inserted terminals or plugs. One or more dissipater elements, having respective through holes for said pair of cables are provided positioned transversely free relative to an inner surface of said longitudinal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Umbra Cuscinetti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nicola Borgarelli, Luciano Pizzoni, Federico Perni
  • Patent number: 6672434
    Abstract: A method and a device for influencing the transfer of vibrations of a vibration generator to an object connected to it, in particular of engine vibrations to the body of a motor vehicle. At least one piezo element is arranged as an actuator in the region of an intermediate element connecting the vibration generator to the object. Primary vibrations are transferred between the vibration generator and the object via the intermediate element. The actuator is induced in a controlled manner to undergo secondary vibrations. The total energy and/or the composition of the frequencies of the vibrations transferred via the intermediate element are changed by the actuator, and the remaining residual vibration is measured and used for controlling the secondary vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Juergen Schnur, Silvia Tomaschko
  • Patent number: 6666108
    Abstract: Undesirable vibrations are controlled in a mechanical structure by confining the vibrations to one or more specified areas of the structure. Vibration confinement is achieved using a confinement device which effectively applies both translational and torsional forces to the structure. The strength of the translational and torsional forces, and the position of the confinement device are chosen by the designer to select a vibrational energy confinement region. Judicious selection of the confinement region permits the structure to avoid the transfer of vibrational energy to particularly sensitive portions of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Alleai
  • Patent number: 6655508
    Abstract: A disc brake including a pair of friction plates arranged coaxially in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship and a plurality of vanes extending between the pair of friction plates, each of said vanes having a proximal end, a distal end and a mid-portion extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal ends of a plurality of the vanes having a first width, the mid-portion having a second width, the first width being substantially greater than the second width. The vanes can include a T-shaped portion adjacent the proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Ballinger, Kenneth B. Dunlap, Michael A. Riehle
  • Publication number: 20030218283
    Abstract: A damped micromechanical device useful for adjusting optical components, positioning transducers, and sensing motion. The micromechanical device includes a top cap that helps create an area of restricted fluid flow to increase mechanical damping of the device and minimize the response of the structure to mechanical perturbations. The micromechanical device is constructed to cause piston-like Poiseuille flow through controlled gaps within the actuator. By controlling the gap dimensions, the amount of damping can be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin Y. Yasumura, John D. Grade, John H. Jerman
  • Publication number: 20030218284
    Abstract: A dynamic damper for damping vibration of a rotary shaft. The dynamic damper includes a tubular mass member and a rubber elastic member. The rubber elastic member includes an attachment tube press-fitted onto the rotary shaft and an arm. The attachment tube is disposed coaxially with the mass member but nearer to an axial center thereof than the mass member. The arm connects the attachment tube to the mass member. The attachment tube includes a tubular support portion connected to the arm, a tubular attachment portion, and a tubular coupling portion for coupling the tubular support portion with the tubular attachment portion. The tubular attachment portion has larger interference than the tubular support portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kato, Seiya Asano, Takanori Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6644590
    Abstract: An active mount is provided for use in a rotary wing aircraft between each of the gearbox and airframe mounting locations for mechanically suspending the airframe from the gearbox. The active mount comprises first and second linear hydraulic actuators each having a principal axis. The length of the actuators is variable along the principal axis for providing relative movement between the airframe and the gearbox. The principal axes of the actuators are adapted to lie in the directional planes of the primary forces necessary for supporting the airframe and acting on the transmission gearbox mounting locations for providing movement of the gearbox relative to the airframe in the planes at a frequency for reducing the transfer of vibration through the active mount to the airframe. A system for reducing vibration in the rotary wing aircraft further comprises a hydraulic system for supplying a controlled flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Weston Terpay, George G. Zipfel, William Welsh
  • Patent number: 6634472
    Abstract: A tuned mass damper includes a container having first and second inside wall portions, and a proof mass disposed within the container. Multiple pairs of oppositely directed bellows containing damping fluid are connected between the wall portions and the mass to permit motion of the mass along primary axes. A spring is connected in series with each pair of bellows. The spring has a diameter substantially less than a diameter of the corresponding pair of bellows so that the spring and bellows allow translational movement of the mass about an axis other than the primary axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: Toren S. Davis, David R. Koehler, James H. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20030192757
    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 said primary mass by disposing a main elastic member therebetween. A pair of second drive plates are coupled to said first drive plate by disposing an idle elastic member therebetween. A secondary mass is fixedly coupled to said pair of second drive plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Soon-Jae Hong
  • Publication number: 20030159898
    Abstract: This invention provides a dynamic damper 10, in which convex portions 21 protruded in the direction of the inside diameter are provided at a plurality of positions along the circumference of the outer pipe 20 and an elastic body 40 is held between the convex portion 21 and the outer circumference of the weight 30. A stopper portion 32 capable of engaging the convex portion 21 of the outer pipe 20 in the axial direction of the pipe is provided on the weight 30. An insertion guide face 23 provided at an end portion in the axial direction of the convex portion 21 of the outer pipe 20, and the convex portion 21 of the outer pipe 20 makes the insertion guide face 23 slide against the stopper portion 32 of the weight 30 to enlarge the diameter of the convex portion elastically to surpass the stopper portion 32 so that it fits to the outer circumference of the weight 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Kazunobu Haneishi, Katsuhide Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6598717
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for surface damping augmentation. The apparatus of the present invention includes a viscoelastic material, a hybrid constraining layer mechanically connected to the viscoelastic material and having an active material and a passive material, and the active material mechanically connected to the passive material. The method provides for selecting an active constraining material, selecting a passive constraining material, forming a hybrid constraining layer from the active constraining material and the passive constraining material, and mechanically connecting the hybrid constraining layer to a viscoelastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kon-Well Wang, Yanning Liu
  • Patent number: 6598718
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration-damping device comprising an abutting member adapted to be fixedly disposed in a vibrative member and an independent mass member disposed relative to the abutting member such that the independent mass member is displaceable relative to the abutting member while being independent of the abutting member without being adhesive to the abutting member. The independent mass member having an abutting surface that comes into abutting contact directly and elastically with an abutting surface of the abutting member, in which at least one of the abutting surfaces of the abutting member and the independent mass member is provided with a flock coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rentaro Kato, Koichi Maeda
  • Publication number: 20030132076
    Abstract: A method and device for suppressing vibrations in a printing press includes placing, on at least one element of the press, a mass that vibrates freely with one degree of freedom, determining the rotational speed of the press and feeding the speed to a control device, and, in the control device, utilizing the rotational speed, determining an actuating variable and feeding the actuating variable to at least one actuator, at least one vibration parameter of the mass being changed in accordance with the rotational speed by the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher Berti, Bernhard Buck, Holger Faulhammer, Michael Kruger, Jurgen Maass, Sven Mader, Stefan Maier, Kai Oskar Muller, Matthias Noll, Martin Riese, Bernhard Roskosch
  • Patent number: 6578682
    Abstract: Disclosed is a compact vibration isolation system for mounting an inertial sensor assembly (ISA) to an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) housing. The housing is mounted to a support that is subjected to shock and vibration. The vibration isolator assembly includes a ring shaped elastomeric member laminated between a ring shaped inner member and a ring shaped outer member. The inner member is securely mounted to the ISA, and the outer member is mounted to a support of the IMU housing. Because of the compact size of this system, the IMU housing contains and protects the elastomeric member from potential contamination and damage, as well as eliminates the need for delicate mechanical and electrical interfaces. The elastomeric member of the system isolates the ISA from shock, vibration, and acoustic energy that may otherwise be transmitted from the support to the ISA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Todd L. Braman, Mark J. Riesgraf, Dale J. Hagenson