Self-tuning mass damper and tuning method

Abstract

The invention provides a self-tuning mass damper and a tuning method. The damper comprises a mounting base, a tuning mass unit, a frequency modulation mechanism, a sensor unit, a control unit and a self-energizing unit. The tuned mass unit is connected between the mounting base and the mass block through the elastic supporting piece; the frequency modulation mechanism adjusts the inherent frequency of the system in real time by changing the rigidity of the elastic supporting piece; the sensor unit synchronously acquires vibration signals of the vibration-damped structure and the mass block; the control unit controls the frequency modulation mechanism to act according to a signal analysis result, so that the inherent frequency of the system tracks the dominant frequency of the vibration-damped structure, the vibration phase of the mass block is kept to be lagged by 90 degrees, and anti-resonance vibration damping is achieved; the self-energized unit is integrated in the mass block, and vibration mechanical energy is converted into electric energy to supply power to the whole system. According to the invention, frequency adaptive vibration control without external power supply is realized, and the vibration treatment problem caused by frequent change of the structure frequency due to change of working conditions is effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vibration control technology, and in particular to a self-tuning mass damper and tuning method. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the normalization of flexible operation modes in power systems, the operating conditions faced by power plant pipelines and rotating machinery have become increasingly complex, leading to more prominent vibration problems. These vibrations can not only cause fatigue fractures in pipelines but also force important rotating machinery to shut down due to excessive vibration, seriously affecting the safe and stable operation of the units. Traditional vibration control methods, such as adding hydraulic dampers or rigid constraints, are often ineffective in dealing with high-frequency, low-amplitude vibrations generated by rotating equipment and can easily introduce localized stress concentrations, potentially accelerating fatigue cracking.

[0003] Tuned mass dampers (TMDs), as passive or semi-active vibration reduction devices, can effectively reduce high-frequency, low-amplitude vibrations caused by rotating equipment due to their simple structure and convenient installation. However, existing TMD technology still has significant limitations: First, conventional TMDs can usually only achieve single-frequency vibration reduction for a specific excitation frequency, with a narrow effective bandwidth, making it difficult to cope with multi-frequency vibrations caused by changes in pipeline operating conditions or their own support status; second, for variable-frequency rotating machinery, conventional TMDs cannot adapt to their frequency variation requirements, and may even amplify vibrations at certain operating frequencies; third, although some TMDs with variable-frequency functions exist, they usually rely on large external power supplies and complex drive mechanisms, resulting in huge size and energy consumption, making them difficult to promote and apply in practical engineering, especially in scenarios such as power facilities where reliability and autonomy are extremely important, the introduction of external power supplies will also increase system complexity and failure risks. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a self-tuning mass damper and a tuning method to solve the technical problems of tuned mass dampers being unable to adapt to frequent frequency changes in the controlled structure, resulting in deterioration of vibration reduction effect, as well as high energy consumption, complex structure, and limited application scenarios.

[0005] The present invention provides a self-tuning mass damper, comprising: Mounting base, fixed to the structure to be vibration damped; A tuning mass unit is disposed on the mounting base and includes a mass block and an elastic support member, wherein the elastic support member is connected between the mounting base and the mass block; A frequency modulation mechanism, connected to the elastic support, is configured to adjust the natural frequency of the tuning mass unit by changing the stiffness of the elastic support. The sensor unit is configured to synchronously acquire the vibration signal of the damped structure and the vibration signal of the mass block; A control unit is connected to the vibration sensor and the frequency modulation mechanism by signal, and is configured to control the operation of the frequency modulation mechanism according to the signal from the vibration sensor; A self-powered unit is disposed on the mass block and configured to collect vibrational mechanical energy and convert it into electrical energy to power the frequency modulation mechanism and / or the vibration sensor and / or the control unit.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic support is an air spring, and the frequency modulation mechanism includes an inflation device and an deflation device connected to the air spring.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inflation device includes an air pump and a first valve body connected by an air pipeline, and the deflation device includes a second valve body. The first valve body and the second valve body are signal connected to the control unit.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first valve body is a shut-off valve, and the second valve body is a solenoid valve.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is configured to adjust the natural frequency by controlling the frequency modulation mechanism, such that the natural frequency is consistent with the vibration dominant frequency of the damped structure, and the vibration phase of the mass block lags behind the vibration phase of the damped structure by 90°.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit includes a first sensor disposed on the mounting base and a second sensor disposed on the mass block.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the self-powered unit includes a generator and an energy storage battery. The generator is configured to generate electricity using the vibration of the mass block and to charge the energy storage battery. The energy storage battery supplies power to the frequency modulation mechanism, the vibration sensor, and the control unit.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the generator and the energy storage battery are integrated inside the mass block.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, an auxiliary support member is further included, which is disposed between the bottom of the mass block and the mounting base.

[0014] This invention also proposes a tuning method for a self-tuning mass damper, comprising: The self-powered unit integrated on the mass block collects the vibrational mechanical energy of the mass block and converts it into electrical energy for storage; Vibration signals of the damped structure and the mass block are acquired using vibration sensors powered by the self-powered unit. The control unit, powered by the self-powered unit, receives and analyzes the vibration signal and generates a tuning control command. The frequency modulation mechanism, powered by the self-powered unit, responds to the tuning control command by changing the stiffness of the elastic support member to adjust the natural frequency of the tuning mass unit in real time.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The self-tuning mass damper and tuning method proposed in this invention ensure the efficient transmission of vibration energy through the rigid connection between the mounting base and the structure to be damped, provide a stable mounting reference for the damper, and ensure that the sensor unit can acquire the real vibration signal of the structure to be damped. By using a tunable simple harmonic oscillator composed of tuned mass units, the principle of anti-resonance can be effectively utilized to actively suppress structural vibrations. The frequency modulation mechanism enables continuous and precise control of the natural frequency of the tuned mass unit, allowing the damper to track the frequency changes of the structure being damped in real time and always maintain the best tuning state, effectively overcoming the defect of the TMD's vibration reduction effect deteriorating sharply when the structure frequency changes. By synchronously and accurately acquiring the vibration signals of the damped structure and mass block through the sensor unit, comprehensive and real-time vibration status information is provided to the control unit, ensuring the accuracy of closed-loop control. By using the control unit to perform intelligent analysis and decision-making on vibration signals, the optimal control command can be generated based on the real-time vibration state to drive the frequency modulation mechanism to achieve adaptive and intelligent operation of the damper. By utilizing a self-powered unit to collect and convert vibrational mechanical energy, the system achieves self-sufficiency in energy, completely eliminating dependence on external power sources and greatly expanding the application range of dampers, making it particularly suitable for industrial scenarios without reliable external power sources. Through the deep integration of various structural units, a complete closed-loop system of energy and control is formed. The self-powered unit provides continuous and stable internal power, ensuring the sustainable operation of the autonomous frequency modulation function in the absence of an external power supply. This provides the most economical and reliable solution for autonomous frequency modulation, offering a new, efficient and reliable solution for vibration control in scenarios without external power supply. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0017] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a self-tuning mass damper provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 100. Mounting base; 200. Tuned mass unit; 300. Frequency modulation mechanism; 400. Sensor unit; 500. Control unit; 600. Self-powered unit; 700. Vibration damped structure; 210. Support shell; 220. Mass block; 230. Elastic support component; 240. Auxiliary support spring; 310. Inflation device; 320. Deflator device; 311. Air pump; 312. First valve body; 321. Second valve body; 410. First sensor; 420. Second sensor; 610. Generator; 620. Energy storage battery. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. Various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0020] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. The drawings only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0021] In the following description, numerous details are explored to provide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other embodiments, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail to avoid obscuring embodiments of the invention.

[0022] In structures such as process pipelines and rotating machinery spindles, multi-frequency vibrations can occur due to changes in operating conditions or the state of their own support. Tuned mass dampers can, to some extent, reduce high-frequency, low-amplitude vibrations caused by rotating equipment. However, traditional tuned mass dampers (TMDs) have a fixed natural frequency, and once the frequency of the controlled structure deviates from its tuning frequency, the vibration reduction effect will deteriorate sharply. Some tuned mass dampers use actuators to apply active control force to broaden the effective frequency band. Essentially, they simulate or maintain the tuning state by doing extra work. This not only consumes a lot of energy and depends on a continuous external energy supply, but the actuators themselves are also complex in structure and expensive, which greatly limits their application in industrial scenarios where there is no reliable external power supply or where long-term maintenance-free operation is required.

[0023] Please see Figure 1 This invention proposes a self-tuned mass damper, comprising a mounting base 100, a tuned mass unit 200, a frequency modulation mechanism 300, a sensor unit 400, a control unit 500, and a self-powered unit 600. The mounting base 100 is fixed to the structure to be damped 700, providing a stable mounting interface for the damper and ensuring effective transmission of vibration energy. It also serves as a reference point for the sensor unit 400 to acquire vibration signals from the structure to be damped 700. The tuned mass unit 200, mounted on the mounting base 100, forms a simple harmonic oscillator whose vibration is coupled with that of the structure to be damped 700, forming the basis for vibration damping. The frequency modulation mechanism 300 is connected to the tuned mass unit 200 and dynamically adjusts its natural frequency according to the real-time vibration frequency of the structure to be damped 700, ensuring it remains consistent with the dominant frequency of the structure to achieve optimal vibration damping. The sensor unit 400... The 00 is configured to synchronously acquire the vibration signals of the damped structure 700 and the tuning mass unit 200. Its function is to provide real-time vibration state feedback to the control unit 500, which is the basis for realizing adaptive tuning. The control unit 500 is connected to the sensor unit 400 and the frequency modulation mechanism 300, and is configured to analyze the vibration state in real time based on the signal from the sensor unit 400 and generate precise tuning control commands to drive the frequency modulation mechanism 300 to act, thereby forming a complete closed-loop control system to realize the intelligent and adaptive operation of the damper. The self-powered unit 600 is integrated into the tuning mass unit 200 to collect vibration mechanical energy and convert it into electrical energy to power the frequency modulation mechanism 300, the sensor unit 400 and the control unit 500, eliminating the dependence on external power sources.

[0024] Please see Figure 1The self-tuning mass damper of this invention, by tightly integrating the self-powered unit 600 with the frequency modulation mechanism 300, sensor unit 400, and control unit 500, enables the damper to perform real-time and precise control of frequently changing vibrations in harsh environments with no or inconvenient external power supply, such as near pipelines or rotating machinery far from a power source. This achieves energy self-sufficiency, allowing the entire tuning system to operate independently and continuously. Through the organic combination of its various structures, the self-tuning mass damper of this invention achieves autonomous power supply and automatic frequency modulation, collaboratively solving the vibration control problem caused by frequent frequency changes in pipelines and other structures during flexible operation. Its compact structure also greatly simplifies installation and maintenance, reduces construction costs, effectively ensures the safe operation of pipelines and rotating machinery structures, reduces unplanned downtime for maintenance, and has high economic benefits and engineering application value.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the tuned mass unit 200 includes a supporting shell 210, a mass block 220, and an elastic support member 230. By tuning the simple harmonic oscillator composed of the mass block 220 and the elastic support member 230 to the same frequency as the main vibration frequency of the structure being damped 700, structural vibration reduction is achieved using the anti-resonance principle. That is, when the mass block 220 and the structure being damped 700 reach a specific phase relationship, the inertial force generated by the mass block 220 will actively cancel the vibration energy of the structure. The support shell 210 is mounted on the mounting base 100 and serves as a support and positioning element. It provides a stable frame support and protection for the internal structures such as the elastic support 230 and the mass block 220, and ensures that vibration energy can be effectively transferred from the mounting base 100 to the elastic support 230. The elastic support 230 is connected between the support shell 210 and the mass block 220, providing a variable elastic restoring force for the mass block 220. Together with the mass block 220, they form a tunable vibration system. The stiffness of the support shell 210 directly determines the natural frequency of the system. The mass block 220 acts as an inertial element, storing and releasing energy during vibration.

[0026] Specifically, the elastic support members 230 are disposed on both sides of the mass block 220 and indirectly connected to the mounting base 100 through the support housing 210. The mass block 220 is disposed between the two elastic support members 230. This symmetrical arrangement helps to ensure that the mass block 220 is subjected to uniform force during vibration and avoids off-center loading, thereby ensuring that the tuned mass damper can work stably and efficiently during vibration reduction. The mass block 220 can vibrate effectively in a specific direction in response to the excitation of the damped structure 700. The frequency tuning mechanism 300 is connected to the elastic support 230, which can adjust the natural frequency of the tuning mass unit 200 by changing the physical stiffness of the elastic support 230, providing a physical basis for frequency tracking. The sensor unit 400 is configured to synchronously acquire the vibration signals of the damped structure 700 and the mass block 220, providing accurate real-time data to the control unit 500, which is a prerequisite for calculating the phase difference between the two and realizing anti-resonance control. The self-powered unit 600 is set on the mass block 220, which converts harmful vibration mechanical energy into usable electrical energy and powers the entire closed-loop control system (frequency tuning mechanism 300, sensor unit 400, control unit 500), ensuring that the entire adaptive tuning system can operate continuously without external power. The various units work together to form a complete autonomous system from energy harvesting, state perception, intelligent decision-making to action execution. Through the synergy of self-powering and self-tuning, the damper can autonomously perceive, make decisions, and execute. It can also continuously adjust its own characteristics to adapt to changes in the external environment without external intervention, exhibiting good independence and adaptability, and achieving a high degree of unity between vibration reduction performance and energy autonomy.

[0027] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the tuning mass unit 200 further includes an auxiliary support member disposed between the bottom of the mass block 220 and the mounting base 100, providing auxiliary support for the mass block 220 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the auxiliary support member is an auxiliary support spring 240. The main function of the auxiliary support spring 240 is to provide additional vertical support force, which can bear most of the weight load of the mass block 220, effectively reduce the static deformation and stress of the elastic support member 230, and provide basic vertical stability for the mass block 220, ensuring that the mass block 220 remains in a preset position under normal working conditions, and preventing the elastic support member 230 from fatigue or performance degradation due to long-term excessive static load, thereby protecting the elastic support member 230 and improving the reliability and service life of the entire system. The stiffness of the auxiliary support spring 240 is designed to be much smaller than the dynamic stiffness of the elastic support member 230, so as not to affect the tuning frequency of the tuning mass unit 200 as much as possible, thereby ensuring its vibration damping performance.

[0028] Please see Figure 1In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic support 230 in the tuned mass unit 200 is an air spring. The frequency tuning mechanism 300 includes an inflation device 310 and an deflation device 320 connected to the air spring. Specifically, the air spring is provided with a compressed air inlet and an outlet, and the inflation device 310 and the deflation device 320 are respectively connected to the air inlet and outlet. The air spring utilizes the compressibility of the air inside to provide elastic restoring force, and its stiffness can be precisely adjusted by changing the internal air pressure. When the frequency of the damped structure 700 increases, and the natural frequency of the tuned mass damper needs to increase accordingly, the control unit 500 instructs the inflation device 310 to operate, injecting compressed air into the internal air cavity of the air spring through the inflation device 310, thereby increasing the internal pressure of the air cavity, thereby increasing the stiffness of the air spring, and thus increasing the natural frequency of the tuned mass unit 200; conversely, when it is necessary to reduce the natural frequency, the control unit 500 instructs the deflation device 320 to operate, releasing part of the compressed air inside the air spring, reducing its internal pressure and stiffness, thereby achieving a reduction in the natural frequency. This air pressure-based stiffness variability enables the tuned mass damper to achieve wide-range, continuous frequency tuning to adapt to frequency variations of the damped structure 700 under different operating conditions. Compared to mechanical variable stiffness structures, air springs offer advantages such as simple structure, smooth tuning, and fast response, and require relatively low energy for stiffness adjustment, making them ideal for use with self-powered systems. In other embodiments, the elastic support 230 can also be other stiffness-adjustable elements, and the frequency modulation mechanism 300 can also achieve stiffness adjustment by controlling changes in current or magnetic field.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the inflation device 310 includes an air pump 311 and a first valve body 312 connected via an air pipeline, and the deflation device 320 includes a second valve body 321. Both the first valve body 312 and the second valve body 321 are signal-connected to the control unit 500 and receive its commands to perform opening and closing operations. Specifically, the first valve body 312 is a shut-off valve, which can reliably close the air path after the inflation process is completed, ensuring unidirectional flow and preventing gas backflow and leakage; the second valve body 321 is a solenoid valve, also installed in the pipeline, with a fast response speed, enabling precise control of the deflation volume. The compressed air inlet consists of a shut-off valve, an air pump 311, and an air pipeline, while the compressed air outlet consists of a solenoid valve. When it is necessary to increase the natural frequency, the air pump 311 starts, the shut-off valve opens, the solenoid valve closes, and air is injected into the air spring to increase its stiffness; when it is necessary to decrease the natural frequency, the air pump 311 stops, the shut-off valve closes, and the solenoid valve opens to deflate and reduce its stiffness. It is understood that in other embodiments, the first valve body 312 may also be a solenoid valve, which works in conjunction with the second valve body 321 to control the opening and closing of the air passage, and the second valve body 321 may also be a mechanical pressure relief valve, etc.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit 400 includes a first sensor 410 disposed on the mounting base 100 and a second sensor 420 disposed on the mass block 220. Specifically, both the first sensor 410 and the second sensor 420 are vibration sensors, such as accelerometers or velocity sensors. The first sensor 410 on the mounting base 100 is used to monitor the vibration signal of the vibration-damped structure 700 in real time, including its dominant frequency, amplitude, and phase information, while the second sensor 420 on the mass block 220 is used to monitor the vibration signal of the tuned mass unit 200 in real time, including its vibration frequency, amplitude, and phase information. The vibration signals from both sensors are transmitted to the control unit 500. The signal processing algorithm integrated within the control unit 500 performs vibration spectrum and phase analysis on these signals, and can accurately calculate the dominant vibration frequency of the vibration-damped structure 700 and the phase difference between the vibration of the mass block 220 and the vibration of the structure. This phase difference information serves as a crucial basis for control decisions. The control unit 500 generates control commands based on this information, driving the frequency modulation mechanism 300 to inflate or deflate the air spring. This precisely adjusts the natural frequency of the tuned mass damper, ultimately effectively suppressing structural vibration through anti-resonance. The collaborative work of the two sensors provides the control unit 500 with comprehensive and accurate vibration data, which is key to achieving closed-loop adaptive tuning control. It should be noted that the structure and arrangement of the sensors are not limited. In other embodiments, the sensors can also be non-contact measuring elements such as laser vibrometers or eddy current sensors, or measurement accuracy and reliability can be improved by integrating a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor array.

[0031] Please see Figure 1In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 500 is configured to adjust the natural frequency by controlling the frequency modulation mechanism 300, so that the natural frequency is consistent with the vibration dominant frequency of the damped structure 700, and the vibration phase of the mass block 220 lags behind the vibration phase of the damped structure 700 by 90°, thereby achieving optimal anti-resonance vibration reduction. Specifically, after receiving vibration signals from the first sensor 410 and the second sensor 420, the control unit 500 compares the phases of the signals from the first sensor 410 and the second sensor 420 in real time. When a phase difference deviates from 90°, it determines that the system is in a detuned state. Subsequently, the control unit 500 determines whether the current natural frequency is too high or too low based on the trend of the phase difference (whether it is greater than or less than 90°), and then issues corresponding inflation or deflation commands. For example, if the phase difference is less than 90°, it indicates that the natural frequency is too high, and deflation is required to reduce the frequency; if the phase difference is greater than 90°, it indicates that the natural frequency is too low, and inflation is required to increase the frequency. Through this closed-loop control strategy, the system is ultimately stabilized at the optimal operating point with a phase lag of 90°. This strategy, based on frequency matching and phase control, ensures that the tuned mass damper always operates in the optimal vibration reduction state, efficiently absorbing and dissipating vibration energy from the damped structure 700, thereby effectively suppressing its vibration. Understandably, in addition to basic frequency and phase matching, the control unit 500 can also integrate other algorithms such as adaptive filtering to cope with more complex vibration environments or multimodal vibration control. The control unit 500 works collaboratively with the self-powered unit 600, sensor unit 400, and frequency modulation mechanism 300 to achieve fully autonomous operation from energy acquisition, data sensing, intelligent decision-making to physical execution, ensuring continuous and effective control of time-varying structural vibrations in scenarios without external power supply.

[0032] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 500 includes a control chip integrated inside the mass block 220. Integrating the control chip inside the mass block 220 shortens the signal transmission path, reduces external wiring, reduces signal attenuation, improves the system's integration and anti-interference capability, and results in high response speed and reliability of the control system. The compact integration also makes the entire control system more robust and durable, making it particularly suitable for harsh environments such as industrial sites. At the same time, the control unit 500 and the self-powered unit 600 are jointly integrated inside the mass block 220, participating in the formation of the tuning mass as part of the mass block 220, optimizing space utilization, making the entire device structure more compact and more integrated, and jointly improving the modularity and self-sufficiency of the entire damper.

[0033] Please see Figure 1In one embodiment of the present invention, the self-powered unit 600 includes a generator 610 and an energy storage battery 620. The generator 610 is configured to generate electricity using the vibration of the mass block 220 and charge the energy storage battery 620. The energy storage battery 620 supplies power to the frequency modulation mechanism 300, the vibration sensor, and the control unit 500, ensuring the sustainability of autonomous frequency modulation. Specifically, the generator 610 uses the movement (i.e., vibration) of the mass block 220 relative to the base to drive its internal electromechanical conversion mechanism (such as electromagnetic induction or piezoelectric effect) to generate electricity and delivers the generated electrical energy to the energy storage battery 620 for storage. The energy storage battery 620 serves as the energy pool for the entire system, providing a stable power supply to the electrical components of the system when needed, including driving the air pump 311 to inflate, controlling the solenoid valve to deflate, providing operating power to the vibration sensor, and providing computing power to the control chip. This self-powered design effectively utilizes the vibration energy that needs to be suppressed as the driving force, realizing energy recovery and reuse. At the same time, it reduces dependence on external power grids or frequent battery replacements, allowing the damper to be installed and operated independently, greatly expanding its application range, especially suitable for remote or mobile components in power facilities where it is difficult to lay power lines.

[0034] It should be noted that, to ensure the system can start up and operate smoothly in its initial state or when the vibration intensity is low, the energy storage battery 620 needs to have a certain initial charge. This initial charge can be used to power the control unit 500 and sensor unit 400 to complete system self-testing, data acquisition and analysis, and to provide the necessary starting energy for the frequency modulation mechanism 300 during its first adjustment, such as driving the air pump 311 to inflate it. Specifically, the initial charge can be pre-charged before leaving the factory, or it can be charged once during the installation and commissioning phase through the reserved maintenance interface. Once the system starts up and begins normal operation, under sufficient vibration excitation, the generator 610 will continuously charge the energy storage battery 620, thereby achieving complete energy self-sufficiency.

[0035] Please see Figure 1In one embodiment of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention, through meticulous management of system power consumption and rational optimization of energy harvesting design, can ensure that the vibration energy collected by the self-powered unit 600 is sufficient to support the continuous operation of the entire self-tuning mass damper. The vibration energy harvesting generator 610 is designed to have high efficiency within the expected vibration frequency and amplitude range, effectively converting the mechanical vibration energy of the mass block 220 into electrical energy; and the electrical components in the system, such as the sensor unit 400 and the control unit 500 (especially the control chip), are all selected as low-power devices, and can be designed with intermittent working modes or low-power sleep modes according to actual working conditions to minimize their average power consumption. It is understood that the air pump 311 and solenoid valve in the frequency modulation mechanism 300 require relatively large instantaneous power during operation, but their operation is intermittent and short-term, only starting when the control unit 500 determines that the natural frequency needs to be adjusted, and each working time is extremely short, so the average power consumption is much lower than that of the continuously operating drive device. Simultaneously, due to the energy buffering effect of the energy storage battery 620, it can store excess electrical energy generated by the generator 610 when vibration is strong, and provide a stable power supply when instantaneous high power output is needed (such as when the air pump 311 starts) or when the vibration is weak and the power generation is insufficient, ensuring the continuity and stability of system operation. This self-powered design, combined with an intermittent, low-power frequency regulation mechanism, enables the present invention to achieve efficient and continuous adaptive control of time-varying frequency vibrations without the need for an external power source.

[0036] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, both the generator 610 and the energy storage battery 620 are integrated inside the mass block 220. This not only makes the entire damper structure more compact and integrated, reducing the number of external components and connecting wires, thereby improving the system's reliability and damage resistance, but also avoids the laying of external power cables, reducing installation costs and maintenance complexity. This highly integrated design effectively saves external space, simplifies the overall structural layout, and allows the damper to be quickly deployed to equipment requiring vibration damping, achieving autonomous tuning and continuous operation. It is understood that the generator 610 and the energy storage battery 620, as part of the mass body, are also effectively incorporated into the total mass of the tuning mass unit 200, participating in the vibration damping effect, thereby achieving a highly efficient unity of structural space and functional mass, and improving the system's mass utilization efficiency.

[0037] Please see Figure 1 The present invention also proposes a tuning method for a self-tuning mass damper, comprising: The self-powered unit 600 integrated on the mass block 220 collects the vibrational mechanical energy of the mass block 220 and converts it into electrical energy for storage; Vibration signals of the damped structure 700 and the mass block 220 are acquired by a vibration sensor powered by a self-powered unit 600. The control unit 500, powered by the self-powered unit 600, receives and analyzes the vibration signal and generates tuning control commands. The frequency modulation mechanism 300, powered by the self-powered unit 600, responds to the tuning control command by changing the stiffness of the elastic support 230 and adjusting the natural frequency of the tuning mass unit 200 in real time.

[0038] Please see Figure 1 This invention provides a frequency-adaptive vibration control strategy that combines physical frequency modulation with energy autonomy. It achieves vibration reduction by intelligently adjusting the system's own parameters, significantly reducing the system's energy consumption and complexity. Furthermore, it enables the system to maintain itself through energy recovery. This not only greatly expands the application scenarios of dampers but also brings significant improvements in reliability, economy, and ease of maintenance.

[0039] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, during operation, the self-tuning mass damper is tightly connected to the damped structure 700 via the mounting base 100. When the damped structure 700 vibrates, its vibration energy is transmitted through the mounting base 100. The first sensor 410 monitors the vibration signal of the damped structure 700 in real time and transmits the data to the control unit 500. Simultaneously, the mass block 220 in the tuned mass unit 200 vibrates under the action of the elastic support 230, and its vibration signal is collected by the second sensor 420 and also transmitted to the control unit 500. The control unit 500 performs spectrum and phase analysis on the received vibration signal to accurately identify the current dominant frequency and phase information of the damped structure 700. Based on these analysis results, the control unit 500 sends commands to the frequency modulation mechanism 300, such as starting the air pump 311 to inflate the air spring or opening the solenoid valve to release air, to precisely adjust the stiffness of the air spring. By changing the stiffness of the air spring, the natural frequency of the tuning mass unit 200 is adjusted in real time to keep it consistent with the main vibration frequency of the damped structure 700. By fine-tuning the air pressure, the vibration phase of the mass 220 is ensured to lag behind the vibration phase of the damped structure 700 by 90°, thereby achieving the best resonance damping effect. During this process, the generator 610 in the self-powered unit 600 continuously generates electricity using the vibration mechanical energy of the mass 220 and stores the electrical energy in the energy storage battery 620, providing a continuous and stable power supply to all electrical components such as the air pump 311, solenoid valve, sensors, and control chip. The entire process is a closed-loop feedback control that continues continuously, ensuring that the damper is always in the optimal damping state, and can quickly and adaptively adjust even if the frequency of the damped structure 700 changes. Throughout the entire working cycle, energy is supplied by the self-powered unit 600, forming a complete closed loop of energy and control.

[0040] In summary, the self-tuning mass damper and tuning method of this invention achieve autonomous tracking of structural frequency changes through a physical tuning mechanism by altering the stiffness of the elastic support 230 via the frequency tuning mechanism 300; ensures precise achievement of the anti-resonance state through closed-loop feedback between the sensor unit 400 and the control unit 500; and achieves self-collection and supply of energy through the integrated design of the self-powered unit 600 and the mass block 220. By integrating the self-powered unit 600, sensor unit 400, control unit 500, and tunable tuning mass unit 200, self-sufficiency in energy and autonomous frequency tuning are achieved, effectively solving the vibration control problem caused by frequent frequency changes in pipelines and other structures during flexible operation. Furthermore, the self-tuning mass damper of this invention requires no external power supply, is easy to install, and has low construction costs, making it highly practical and promising for application in engineering projects. It effectively ensures the safe operation of pipelines and rotating machinery structures, reduces unplanned downtime for maintenance, and has significant social and economic benefits, providing a novel, efficient, and reliable solution for vibration control in scenarios without external power supply.

[0041] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

[0042] Throughout this description, numerous specific details, such as examples of components and / or methods, are provided to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or by other devices, systems, components, methods, parts, materials, components, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the invention.

[0043] Throughout this specification, the terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," or "specific embodiment" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment that is included in at least one embodiment of the invention, but not necessarily in all embodiments. Therefore, the various representations of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in a specific embodiment" in different places throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic of any specific embodiment of the invention can be combined with one or more other embodiments in any suitable manner. It should be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the invention described and illustrated herein may be based on the teachings herein and will be considered part of the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0044] It should also be understood that one or more of the elements shown in the figures may be implemented in a more separate or more integrated manner, or may even be removed because they are inoperable in certain circumstances or provided because they may be useful for a particular application.

[0045] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly stated, any arrows in the accompanying drawings should be considered illustrative only and not limiting. Additionally, unless otherwise stated, the term "or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and / or". Where a term is anticipated to provide a separation or combination capability that is unclear, a combination of components or steps will also be considered as indicated.

[0046] As used herein and throughout the claims below, unless otherwise specified, “a” and “the” include the plural references. Similarly, as used herein and throughout the claims below, unless otherwise specified, “in” means “in” and “on”.

[0047] The above description of the embodiments shown in this invention (including the content set forth in the abstract of the specification) is not intended to be an exhaustive enumeration or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specific embodiments and examples of the invention have been described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized and understood by those skilled in the art. As indicated, these modifications can be made to the invention in accordance with the above description of the embodiments described herein, and such modifications will be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0048] This document has generally described the systems and methods in detail to aid in understanding the invention. Furthermore, various specific details have been set forth to provide a general understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more specific details, or using other means, systems, accessories, methods, components, materials, parts, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, and / or operations have not been specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the invention.

[0049] Therefore, although the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments thereof, freedom of modification, various changes and substitutions are also within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, and it should be understood that in some cases, certain features of the invention may be adopted without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without corresponding use of other features. Thus, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular environment or material to the essential scope and spirit of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology used in the following claims and / or the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode for carrying out the invention, but the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention will be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A self-tuning mass damper, characterized in that, include: Mounting base, fixed to the structure to be vibration damped; A tuning mass unit is disposed on the mounting base and includes a mass block and an elastic support member, wherein the elastic support member is connected between the mounting base and the mass block; A frequency modulation mechanism, connected to the elastic support, is configured to adjust the natural frequency of the tuning mass unit by changing the stiffness of the elastic support. The sensor unit is configured to synchronously acquire the vibration signal of the damped structure and the vibration signal of the mass block; A control unit is connected to the vibration sensor and the frequency modulation mechanism by signal, and is configured to control the operation of the frequency modulation mechanism according to the signal from the vibration sensor; A self-powered unit is disposed on the mass block and configured to collect vibrational mechanical energy and convert it into electrical energy to power the frequency modulation mechanism and / or the vibration sensor and / or the control unit.

2. The self-tuning mass damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic support is an air spring, and the frequency modulation mechanism includes an inflation device and an deflation device connected to the air spring.

3. The self-tuning mass damper according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inflation device includes an air pump and a first valve body connected via an air pipeline, and the deflation device includes a second valve body. The first valve body and the second valve body are signal-connected to the control unit.

4. The self-tuning mass damper according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first valve body is a shut-off valve, and the second valve body is a solenoid valve.

5. The self-tuning mass damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is configured to adjust the natural frequency by controlling the frequency modulation mechanism, such that the natural frequency is consistent with the dominant vibration frequency of the damped structure, and the vibration phase of the mass block lags behind the vibration phase of the damped structure by 90°.

6. The self-tuning mass damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor unit includes a first sensor disposed on the mounting base and a second sensor disposed on the mass block.

7. The self-tuning mass damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The self-powered unit includes a generator and an energy storage battery. The generator is configured to generate electricity using the vibration of the mass block and to charge the energy storage battery. The energy storage battery supplies power to the frequency modulation mechanism, the vibration sensor, and the control unit.

8. The self-tuning mass damper according to claim 7, characterized in that, The generator and the energy storage battery are integrated inside the mass block.

9. The self-tuning mass damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an auxiliary support component, which is disposed between the bottom of the mass block and the mounting base.

10. A tuning method for a self-tuning mass damper, characterized in that, include: The self-powered unit integrated on the mass block collects the vibrational mechanical energy of the mass block and converts it into electrical energy for storage; Vibration signals of the damped structure and the mass block are acquired using vibration sensors powered by the self-powered unit. The control unit, powered by the self-powered unit, receives and analyzes the vibration signal and generates a tuning control command. The frequency modulation mechanism, powered by the self-powered unit, responds to the tuning control command by changing the stiffness of the elastic support member to adjust the natural frequency of the tuning mass unit in real time.

Images