Resiliently Supported Damping Mass Patents (Class 188/379)
  • Patent number: 6749397
    Abstract: In a fluidal machine with an impeller rotating to urge a fluid radially outwardly by a centrifugal force, a vane guiding the fluid discharged from the impeller, a vane member which includes a front end of the vane facing to the impeller so that the fluid discharged from the impeller strikes against the front end and which is prevented from contacting the atmosphere, and a casing surrounding the vane member and contacting the atmosphere, the vane member is discrete from the casing, a vibration propagation between the vane member and the casing is prevented or restrained, and a vibration of a pipe extending from the casing is absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Techno Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Ueyama, Michiyuki Takagi, Yasushi Takano, Yukiji Iwase, Michiaki Ida, Sadashi Tanaka, Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Tetsuya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6736246
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunobu Haneishi, Katsuhide Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6725985
    Abstract: This invention provides a dynamic damper comprising an outer pipe 20, a weight 30 disposed inside the outer pipe 20 and an elastic body 40 interposed between the outer pipe 20 and the weight 30. The outer pipe 20 contains slit 21 crossing the circumferential direction of the outer pipe 20 and the slit 21 may be filled with elastic filler 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunobu Haneishi, Katsuhide Sasaki
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040041318
    Abstract: A dynamic damper including: a cylindrical metallic mass; a cylindrical fixing member with an inner diameter smaller than that of the metallic mass member; a connecting member connecting the metallic mass member with respect to the fixing member; and a covering member integrally formed with the cylindrical fixing member and the connecting member, and covering the mass member. A plurality of engaging recesses are formed at axial end portions of the mass member to be open in an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a plurality of engaging projections integrally formed with the covering member are held in stable engagement with the engaging recesses, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naohito Kuwayama, Takashi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20040040809
    Abstract: Device for dampening vibrations of a vibration surface (21) of the frequency tuned resonance dampening kind consisting of one or several elastic dampening elements (1-4) and a vibration body (5) supported by the dampening elements which together are tuned to dampen the vibrations of said surface within a selected frequency range. First mutually co-operating form grip organs give a form grip between said dampening elements (1-4) and the vibration surface (21) and second mutually co-operating form grip organs give a form grip between the dampening elements and the vibration body. The form grip organs in addition have a recess with gripping surfaces (25-30, 33-35) for transferring vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Bengt-Goran Gustavsson
  • Publication number: 20040000456
    Abstract: Vibration damping systems for use in conjunction with rotating hollow bodies are provided. The vibration damping systems include a tubular outer shaft, a tubular inner shaft, a plurality of toroidal vibration damping elements disposed between said proximal and said distal end of said outer and said inner shafts, wherein at least one vibration damping element is affixed between said proximal and said distal end of said outer and inner shaft and each end most vibration nodal points of a series of nodal points located along a length of said outer and inner shafts, and wherein at least one vibration damping element is affixed between adjacent vibration nodal points of said series of nodal points along said length of said outer and said inner shafts, and at least one stiffening member disposed between each outer-most vibration damping element and a corresponding adjacent vibration damping element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Michael T. Koleda
  • 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: 20030188941
    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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Toren S. Davis, David R. Koehler, James H. Boyd
  • Patent number: 6623365
    Abstract: A transmission element assembly for transmitting forces and/or torques, the assembly including a transmission element, a component in effective connection with the transmission element so that the transmission element is asymmetrically excitable into oscillations by the component, and an oscillation damper which is of asymmetrical design and is in effective connection with the transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Maretzke, Jürgen Sellschopp
  • Publication number: 20030159899
    Abstract: This invention provides a dynamic damper comprising an outer pipe 20, a weight 30 and an elastic body 40, wherein convex portions 21 protruded in the direction of the inside diameter are provided at plural positions along the circumferential direction of the outer pipe so as to hold the elastic body 40 by sandwiching the outer circumferential portion of the elastic body 40 between adjacent the convex portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Kazunobu Haneishi, Katsuhide Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6578835
    Abstract: A cross elastomer mount comprising a body composed of an elastomer and having a plurality of legs, a first platform for supporting a first member and a second platform for supporting a second member, a plurality of rigid platform arms pivotally attached to the platforms, and a plurality of hinges pivotally attaching the rigid platform arms to the legs of the cross elastomer mount whereby the plurality of legs bow or arc under a shock and vibration force to allow the cross elastomer mount to attenuated the forces while providing a tension and shearing resistance to the shocks and vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert James Monson, Scott J. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 6554112
    Abstract: A vibration-damping device for damping vibrations of a vibrative member of a vehicle, including: a mass member disposed in the vibrative member such that the mass member is non-adhesive to and is displaceable independent of and relative to the vibrative member; the mass member and the vibrative member being brought into impact against with each other at their abutting portions. At least one of the abutting portions of the mass member and the vibrative member is formed of an elastic member adapted to undergo shear deformation in a direction in which the mass member and vibrative member are brought into impact against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rentaro Kato, Koichi Hasegawa, Hajime Maeno, Masaaki Hamada, Yuushi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20030075406
    Abstract: A dynamic damper for absorbing vibrations in a rotary driveshaft including a mass member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a hinge, wherein the mass member is affixable to a rotary driveshaft when the mass member is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: GKN Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Mick A. Nylander
  • Patent number: 6547049
    Abstract: A particle vibration damper for a vibrating component is disclosed which comprises a body having a chamber and a plurality of particles, wherein the chamber is partially filled with the plurality of particles, the particle vibration damper, in use, is disposed on or in a vibrating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Geoffrey R Tomlinson
  • Publication number: 20030062230
    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 an 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Maeno, Katsuhiko Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20030051958
    Abstract: Device for adaptive vibration attenuation using passive isolators and pneumatic or mechanical actuators are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Sven K. Esche, Jan Nazalewicz
  • Patent number: 6533221
    Abstract: The invention concerns a launch vehicle comprising a shroud (1a, 5a) supporting auxiliary propellers (2, 3) applying in operation excess flow of stresses to the shroud (1a, 5a), said device comprising means for coupling the payload (4) with the launch vehicle shroud. The invention is characterized in that the coupling means are designed to ensure a mechanical coupling between the payload (4) and the shroud along the direction of the launch vehicle longitudinal axis (X), and to cause them to be disengaged along radial and tangential directions. The invention is useful for neutralizing the effects on the payload of excess stresses applied on the launch vehicle shroud by the auxiliary propellers (2, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales
    Inventor: Pascal Hubert
  • Patent number: 6530563
    Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator system that includes a frame in which a shock and vibration sensitive mass is suspended by double acting shock absorbers with vibration isolation capabilities. Wire rope isolators are also mounted between walls of the mass and adjacent walls of the frame so that shock and vibrations moving along the vertical, horizontal and longitudinal axes of the system are effectively attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Enidine, Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Miller, Daniel Charles Radice
  • Patent number: 6508343
    Abstract: A vibration damper little depending on temperature, capable of damping plural resonance vibrations over a wide frequency region as well as damping a specific frequency vibration is provided. The vibration damper comprises a housing formed of a rigid material, having an internal space and fixed to a vibration transmitting member, an elastic body inserted in the internal space not bonded thereto with a gap in a direction of vibration of the housing, and a weight integrally supported by the elastic body so as not to touch the housing. The elastic body and the weight form a dynamic damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Misaji, Kengo Okamura, Yuji Kuruhara, Keiichi Sunami, Tsuyoshi Yamashita, Akihiro Maejima, Yoshihiro Noguchi, Toru Nirei, Rentaro Kato, Koichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6505718
    Abstract: A vibration damping apparatus using a magnetic circuit which is easier and less expensive to manufacture than conventional apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a moving member 30 placed to move relatively away from and close to magnets 20 and 21 and made of a magnetic material which generates attraction force between the moving member 30 and the magnets 20 and 21, metal springs 40 and 41 as elastic members urging the moving member 30 in a direction in which the moving member 30 approaches the magnets 20 and 21, and rubbers 60 and 61 as cushioning members mounted on predetermined positions to prevent the moving member 30 from coming in contact with the magnets 20 and 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Hiroki Oshimo, Hiroki Honda
  • Patent number: 6499730
    Abstract: A dynamic dater mounted on a rod-shaped oscillating member is disclosed, which includes: a cylindrical mass member disposed radially outwardly of the oscillating member and formed of a metallic material by forging, while being subjected to a scale-removal treatment; an elastic support member for elastically supporting the metallic mass member for connection thereof with the oscillating member; and an elastic covering layer adapted to cover a substantially entire area of the surface of the metallic mass member and integrally formed with the elastic support member. The elastic covering layer is fixed in close contact with the substantially entire area of the outer surface of the mass member, so that the metallic mass member is firmly secured to the elastic support member without using an adhesive. A method of producing the dynamic damper is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohito Kuwayama, Hiroaki Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 6485370
    Abstract: In an arrangement for mounting a tubular member, such as a part of a dynamic damper or a dust boot, made of elastomeric material onto a shaft member, an annular projection is formed integrally on the inner circumferential surface of the tubular sleeve member, and an endless band made of relatively rigid material such as steel is either insert molded in or fitted on the tubular sleeve member so as to surround the annular projection. The outer diameter of the shaft member is smaller than the inner diameter of the endless band, but is greater than the inner diameter of the annular projection. Therefore, the elastomeric tubular member can be firmly fitted onto a shaft easily and economically. Because the endless band can be made of a seamless solid ring or a welded ring, it is more reliable in use than conventional steel band fasteners. Since the endless band is uniform over its entire circumferential length, it is free from any rotational imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norikazu Kurosu, Toru Iiizumi
  • Patent number: 6454063
    Abstract: A container with an inside surface and a mass mounted for oscillation in the container with a pair of bellows in the container each having a bias spring therein and a removable end to expose the interior of the bellows to exchange the spring for easy tuning of the damping characteristics and a plurality of balls, one each positioned in a plurality of troughs around the periphery of the mass proximate the ends there to bear against the inside surface so as to provide low friction oscillation of the mass in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Osterberg, Toren S. Davis, Conor D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6450487
    Abstract: A dynamic damper mounted on a rod-shaped oscillating member includes: a cylindrical metallic mass member formed of sintered metal or forging and adapted to be disposed radially outwardly of the oscillating member; two elastic support members formed on axially opposite sides of the metallic mass member to elastically support the metallic mass member; and an elastic covering layer integrally formed with the elastic support member and fixed in close contact with substantially the entire area of the surface of the metallic mass member. The metallic mass member has at least two slits extending through a wall thickness thereof, which are open in and extending axially inwardly from axially opposite end faces of the metallic mass member, respectively, and are filled with the elastic covering layer. The metallic mass further has inclined planes formed at radially inner edges of circumferentially opposite open-end edge portions of each slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naohito Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 6443673
    Abstract: A tunable toolholder with a dynamic vibration absorber is disclosed wherein an absorber mass is compressed between two elastomer supports utilizing at least one longitudinally movable pressure plate to dynamically tune the toolholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignees: Kennametal Inc., Design & Manufacturing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Etling, Elliot L. Stern
  • Patent number: 6443273
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved vibration cancellation device designed to overcome many of the shortcomings inherent in prior devices. In many embodiments, the vibration cancellation device is smaller in scale than prior designs, facilitating more versatility with respect to design options. The device of the present invention achieves a smaller size partly due to the use of suspension springs having an offset, rather than a parallel arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy K. Ledbetter, Brad Stamps, David Popelka, Christopher M. Bothwell, Michael Reaugh Smith
  • Patent number: 6439359
    Abstract: A vibration restraining apparatus for vehicle of the present invention is comprised of a housing formed by a rigid material and having an inner space, and fixed to a vibration transmitting member; a filled member sealed in the inner space of said housing in a non-adhered state with leaving a gap with respect to a vibrating direction of said housing, and formed by an elastic body at least at a surface thereof. When the housing resonates by vibration transmitted from the vibration transmitting member, the filled member contacts inner surface parts located at both sides of the housing in a vibrating direction thereof to exercise a damping character due to an energy loss caused by a sliding friction and a collision. Thus, a large damping character occurs inside of the housing to reduce vibration of the housing effectively. As a result, vibration of the vibration transmitting member is effectively reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rentaro Kato, Yoshinori Yasumoto, Masaaki Hamada, Syuji Ikaga, Hajime Maeno, Shigemitsu Hattori
  • Patent number: 6439552
    Abstract: The overhead wire tensioning device of the present invention is improved in reliability and eliminates the need for constant maintenance work by protecting the slide mechanism between the cylinder case of the gas spring type overhead wire tensioning device and the cylinder rod, and the pivoting mechanism for the connecting rod connecting this cylinder with the overhead wire from external influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignees: Central Japan Railway Company, Dengyo Incorporated, NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ageishi, Hiroshi Amano, Yoshio Narumiya, Toru Uchikoshi, Shoji Konta, Yoshinori Wakabayashi, Takeyoshi Shinbori, Takeshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 6378849
    Abstract: A method for facilitating the reduction of transmitted motor noise using a mounting system in a frame. The mounting system includes a motor assembly having an end bell, a mounting bracket including a brace, a plurality of attachment openings, a plurality of leaf springs attached to the brace and an anchor device attached to each leaf spring. Each anchor device includes a fastener opening and a grommet. The leaf springs and grommets are configured to filter and damp noise transmitted from the motor to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Erdman, Subhash M. Brahmavar, David L. Bailey, Harold B. Harms
  • Publication number: 20020043438
    Abstract: An inertia damper capable of exhibiting satisfactory endurance. In the inertia damper, when an inertia weight element directly carrying out a damping action and a gel element are combined together, the gel element is interposedly arranged between the outer periphery of the inertia weight element and the inner surface of a peripheral cover section of a holding member of a mount base. This permits the area of arrangement of the gel element to be increased to significantly reduce loading per unit area of the gel element, to thereby improve the endurance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Motoyasu Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 6364077
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a passive mass damper for broadband suppression of vibrations. The mass damper preferably includes a bob supported by nonlinear springs with high secant stiffness and low tangent stiffness. The mass damper is mounted on a machine or other source of vibration. The vibration generated by the machine is transmitted to the mass damper and induces off phase vibration of the bob which suppresses the inducing vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Vistek, Inc.
    Inventor: Zoltan A. Kemeny
  • Patent number: 6358153
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for a drive system of a motor vehicle includes a base body rotatable about an axis of rotation (A) and a deflection mass arrangement arranged in the base body having at least one deflection mass and a deflection path associated with the at least one deflection mass and along which the at least one deflection mass is movable during rotation of the base body about the axis of rotation. The deflection path has a vertex area and deflection areas emanating from the vertex area in opposite directions. The deflection areas proceed from the vertex area in substantially opposite axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Cora Carlson, Bernd Peinemann, Jürgen Weth
  • Patent number: 6354575
    Abstract: An omnidirectional vibration damping system comprising a pair of dampers of identical make mounted between a carrier rigidly carrying an electronic instrument or like object of protection and a rigid support therefore, the dampers being positioned in axial alignment with each other in positions of symmetry with respect to the center of mass of the object. The carriers have webs laid parallel to a pair of opposed bearing surfaces of the support, each web having formed thereon a hollow boss extending at right angles therefrom. Each damper has a nut extending with clearance through the hollow boss of one carrier and having one end held fast against the bearing surface of the support by receiving a bolt from outside the support. Formed on the other end of the nut is a flange laid parallel to the bearing surface and farther away therefrom than the carrier web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: TEAC Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6352250
    Abstract: A dynamic damper is disposed between an upper spring seat and a strut mount, comprising a supporting plate secured to a piston rod of a strut and an annular inertia mass body mounted on the supporting plate through an elastic member. The annular inertia mass body is connected at two edge portions thereof located opposite to each other across the diameter with the supporting plate by a bolt and nut through the elastic member, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Tsuruta, Hiroyuki Kawabe, Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, Shin Matsumoto, Michiru Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20020007995
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing harmonics and vibrations of a rotatable base piece, such as a brake rotor to be resurfaced or refinished, is provided. A plurality of interconnected chain links are included. The plurality of chain links are sized for maximum contact with the rotatable base piece. The plurality of chain links are interconnected to form a belt assembly open at the ends. One or more demountably selectively attachable connectors for securing the belt assembly to the rotatable base piece also are included. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more demountably selectively attachable connectors is a spring member. Each spring member includes a nonidentical length arm extending monolithically from the ends of the spring member. In addition, a semi-circular hook members is provided on one end of the nonidentical length arm. No other mechanical structural elements are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth Turos
  • Publication number: 20010050203
    Abstract: A dynamic damper is provided comprising a tubular mass member 11, a pair of elastic joining regions 13 of a tubular shape having an inner diameter smaller than that of the mass member 11, arranged coaxially, and spaced by a specific distance outwardly from the axial ends of the mass member 11, and a pair of elastic arm regions 14 shape of a tubular, each arm region arranged to join throughout the circumference between one axial end of the mass member and one of the paired joining regions 13. A boundary 15 of the inner surface between the elastic joining region and the elastic arm region 14 is located on the outside of the axial ends of the mass member 11. The elastic arm region 14 is sloped and arranged in a funnel-like shape which becomes wider from the boundary 15 towards the axial ends of the mass member 11. The boundary 15 is shaped to an edge of which the curvature radius is not larger than 1 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Naohito Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 6321890
    Abstract: In a vibration reducing system, an insulator is disposed between the engine and a vehicle body. A vibration damper such as a dynamic damper is secured to the insulator at a side which is distal from the power unit (viz., an engine and/or transmission/transaxle) and connected to an outboard end of a pin which extends away from the engine. The installation of the vibration damper minimizes the amount of space required and is effective to reduce the vibration and the noise even when the mass of the components is small since the device is disposed at a location where the amplitude of the vibration tends to maximize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Seiji Ishizu, Kouji Anzai
  • Patent number: 6315094
    Abstract: A virtual sky hook vibration isolation system provides reduction of transmissibility at resonance without significantly increasing high frequency transmissibility. Isolation is achieved passively and without the need for an inertial reference frame. Design of the primary and secondary suspension systems is performed concurrently to achieve the desired performance. The primary suspension affords the necessary static deflection properties and high frequency isolation. The secondary system couples to the system at resonance and provides damping to the dynamic response. This combination yields the isolation benefits of the skyhook damper concept. The penalty for this performance is the necessity of a secondary spring-mass-damper device. However, results indicated that good performance can be achieved using a relatively small secondary mass (5% of the primary mass).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Steven Griffin, Joel Gussy, Steven A. Lane, Benjamin K. Henderson, Dino Sciulli
  • Patent number: 6314353
    Abstract: A control system for a resilient support mechanism such as a suspension mechanism of a wheeled vehicle including a damper disposed between an unsprung mass member and a sprung mass member of the vehicle, wherein a damping coefficient of the damper is divided into a linear portion and a nonlinear portion, and wherein the nonlinear portion of the damping coefficient is defined as a control input u and applied with a frequency weight Wu(s), while a vertical velocity of the sprung mass member, a relative velocity of the sprung mass member to the unsprung mass member and a vertical acceleration of the sprung mass member are defined as an evaluation output zp and applied with a frequency weight Ws(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidoshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Ohsaku, Ichisei Kamimura
  • Patent number: 6308810
    Abstract: A dynamic damper for damping vibration of a rotary shaft is disclosed. The dynamic damper includes: (a) a mass member having a generally cylindrical shape and formed by rolling into the generally cylindrical shape, with circumferentially opposite end portions of the plate being circumferentially opposed to each other, and with the circumferentially opposite end portions being unconnected to each other; (b) an elastic support member to be mounted on the rotary shaft, for elastically supporting the mass member with respect to the rotary shaft such that the mass member is displaceable relative to the rotary shaft; and (c) balancing means for maintaining a rotary balance of the mass member about an axis of the mass member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naohito Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 6298963
    Abstract: The inventive passive damping system features the unique harmonization of: (i) a constrained-layer damping subsystem (wherein an elastomer serves as constrained damping material); (ii) an entrained damping subsystem (wherein a particulate serves as entrained damping material); and, (iii) a tuned damping subsystem (wherein modal properties of certain inventive components have been selectively varied in accordance with anticipated resonance frequencies). The invention's effectiveness is aggregative; the total loss factor for the inventive damping system equals the sum of the individual loss factors for the damping subsystems. Consequently, the invention affords a high loss factor in a broad frequency range. Especially in applications involving control of extremely high vibrations, the inventive damping methodology is more efficient and economical than are common damping methodologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael Kim
  • Patent number: 6290037
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration absorber in which an absorber end mass is coupled to a primary mass by means of a cantilevered beam, wherein at least a portion of the beam comprises a shape memory alloy (SMA). Preferably, the end mass is coupled to the primary mass with several discrete SMA wires which may be individually heated. When each of the SMA wires is heated above a predetermined temperature, the SMA material undergoes a phase change which results in a change in the stiffness of the SMA wire. Heating of the various wires in various combinations allows the operational frequency of the absorber to be actively tuned. The frequency of the absorber may therefore be tuned to closely match the current vibrational frequency of the primary mass, thereby allowing the absorber to be adaptively tuned to the frequency of the primary mass in a simple and straightforward manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Keith A. Williams, George Tsu-Chih Chiu, Robert J. Bernhard
  • Patent number: 6286782
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations of a structure such as the air frame of a helicopter wherein a spring system (1), which has an elastic wall structure forming a tube-shaped hollow body supports a weighted vibrating object (23). At least one region of the wall structure is constructed to be elastically deformable in its plane, with a spring stiffness, tuned to the frequency of the vibration to be damped. The wall structure is formed by several planar spring elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d), each of which can be elastically deformed in its plane by an arrangement of longitudinal strips (110a, 110b, 111a, 111b) and connecting cross pieces (120a, 120b, 121a, 121b). A battery of the helicopter can be used as the vibrating weight (23). The vibration damper containing the battery is installed at a location on the helicopter where clear structural vibrations occur in two directions perpendicular to each other and wherein the vibration damper is tuned to the vibrations frequencies in both directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Bansemir, Bernd Bongers
  • Patent number: 6234286
    Abstract: An assembly for dampening vibration of a hollow elongated upstanding pole which includes a cylindrical housing specifically adapted to be securely attached to the inside of the upper portion of the pole and containing a weighted member confined within the housing to move therewithin in response to vibration of the pole produced by the wind and having attachment screws extending through the side wall of the pole into threaded openings provided in an attachment rib formed on the wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Michael L. Feldberg
  • Patent number: 6213721
    Abstract: A structure for eliminating or reducing noise emission from a structure which vibrates at two or more discrete frequencies is described. Vibration damping tiles are secured to the surface of the structure with each tile have a high density layer linked to the structure by a layer of plastic material, such as polyurethane foam, with the mass of the high density layer, the dimensions of the layer of the plastic material and the properties of the plastic material selected so that the compression mode and shear mode resonant frequencies correspond to two of the discrete frequencies of the structure. The noise suppression device is particularly suited for use with wind turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Marconi Sonar Limited
    Inventor: Peter Watkinson
  • Patent number: 6161664
    Abstract: A fixing arrangement with damping for fixing a device (1) to be protected from vibration, which device includes at least one mounting portion via which the device is fixed to a portion of a support (2) by fastening means (3, 4). The arrangement includes at least two piezoelectric elements (5, 6), each of which has its electrodes electrically shunted by an individual or shared impedance of determined structure. At least one of the elements (5) is used in bending and is interposed between a portion of the support and a mounting portion of the device to be protected. At least one of the elements (6) is used in compression and is interposed between one of the fastening means and either the support portion or the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Bertrand Brevart, Philippe Charbonnier, Vincent Barbet
  • Patent number: 6145785
    Abstract: The anti-vibration suspension device includes at least three diagonal bars each articulated on the structure and on the transmission box by means of a rigid lever supporting a damping weight and itself articulated at least by pivoting on this box, and, for each diagonal bar, a tension bar also articulated on the structure and on the transmission box, the corresponding lever being articulated on the box while being articulated by at least pivoting on the upper end part of the corresponding tension bar, which is flexible in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Nicholas Certain
  • Patent number: 6123350
    Abstract: In order to damp vibration which are generated by rotating members such as wheels, drive shafts and the like, a vibration damper, preferably a dynamic damper, is mounted on the shock absorbers at a location which is essentially mid-way between the lower end thereof. This places the damper a location corresponding to an antinode of a vibration waveform which transmitted through the shock absorbers and which tends to cause annoying cabin reverberation noise and thus increases the effect with which vibration is attenuated. An advantageous mounting site for the damper is on the lower spring seat of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6119834
    Abstract: A device for damping vibration of a vibrating structure, particularly a helicopter cyclic control system, comprises a straight tubular shaft having a metal weight retained within the inside bore of one end, the remainder of the shaft being unweighted, and two elastomeric lined mounting brackets for securing the unweighted portion of the shaft to the vibrating structure, the bracket closest to the unweighted shaft end holding the shaft end with a tighter fit than the other bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Richard J. Lee