An eddy current damper

Abstract

The utility model relates to bridge structure vibration control technical field, concretely relates to a kind of eddy current damper. Including: middle support component, damper cylinder and at least one movable rack;Wherein, middle support component, it is used to connect with main tower connecting piece;Damper cylinder is connected with middle support component, and damper cylinder middle part is supported on middle support component, and damper cylinder is equipped with at least one group of damping transmission assembly;At least one movable rack, it is movably arranged on damper cylinder, movable rack one end is engaged with damping transmission assembly, the other end is used to connect with main beam. The support position of damper in the embodiment of the application is optimized as main middle support, greatly reduce the secondary stress of structural member due to excessive deadweight, reduce the internal friction between gear, rack and other structural members due to deadweight, to enhance the reliability of eddy current damper axial tension and compression energy consumption, and the durability and service life of damper long-term use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of bridge structure vibration control technology, specifically to an eddy current damper. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of my country's transportation industry, cable-stayed bridges and suspension bridges, as the main structural forms of ultra-long-span bridges, are playing an increasingly important role. Improving the seismic resistance and vibration damping capacity of long-span bridges has become a major focus of attention in the industry. Currently, viscous fluid dampers are widely used for longitudinal vibration reduction of the main girder of long-span bridges. However, viscous fluid dampers generally use seals to enclose fluids such as silicone oil in a steel cylinder, and the damping force is provided by compressing the silicone oil through the relative movement of the piston and the steel cylinder. Long-term use inevitably leads to a series of problems such as aging of the seals, oil leakage from the cylinder, wear of the piston assembly, and degradation of the damper's performance. Against this backdrop, other forms of damping energy dissipation have emerged, with eddy current dampers based on electromagnetic theory being a representative example.

[0003] In related technologies, eddy current dampers generally utilize the principle of electromagnetic induction. Through the relative motion between an electromagnet and a conductor plate, eddy currents are generated on the conductor plate. The magnetic field generated by the eddy currents reacts with the original magnetic field to form a damping force. However, since all components of an eddy current damper are primarily made of steel, its self-weight is much greater than that of a viscous damper for the same stroke and damping force. This results in a generally lower energy density (damping coefficient per unit volume), and the excessive self-weight also generates significant additional bending stress on the transmission components, leading to low damping efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] In related technologies, the excessive weight of eddy current dampers leads to excessive bending stress on internal transmission components, affecting damping efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a large-tonnage eddy current damper, comprising: a central support assembly, a damper cylinder, and at least one movable rack; wherein... The intermediate support assembly is used to connect to the main tower connector; The damper cylinder is connected to the central support assembly, and the middle part of the damper cylinder is supported on the central support assembly. At least one set of damping transmission assemblies is provided on the damper cylinder. At least one movable rack is movably mounted on the damper cylinder. One end of the movable rack meshes with the damping transmission assembly, and the other end is used to connect with the main beam connector.

[0006] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the damper cylinder is provided with at least two sets of the damping transmission components and at least two movable racks, each of the movable racks meshing with one set of the damping transmission components, and the two movable racks are symmetrically arranged with the central axis of the damper cylinder as the center line.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the damper cylinder is provided with at least one connecting lug, and two movable racks are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the connecting lug.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the damper cylinder is provided with two connecting lugs, and each of the two connecting lugs is provided with a movable rack.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the damper cylinder has a slide rail on its inner side, the slide rail engaging with the movable rack.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the central support component includes: The base plate connecting plate is used to connect to the main tower connector; Two sidewall plates are spaced apart on the bottom plate connecting plate, and the two sidewall plates are connected to the damper cylinder by a first pin. A connecting frame is assembled between the two sidewall plates. The connecting frame has a through hole for the first pin to pass through. The connecting frame is connected to the damper cylinder through a second pin.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the damping transmission assembly includes: A gear transmission unit is assembled inside the damper cylinder, and the gear transmission unit meshes with the movable rack. A connecting shaft is disposed inside the damper cylinder. The connecting shaft meshes with the gear transmission part. Both ends of the connecting shaft extend out of the damper cylinder, and both ends of the connecting shaft are provided with vortex disks.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the vortex disk has multiple grooves, and permanent magnets are disposed in the grooves.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the damper cylinder is provided with four damping transmission components and two movable racks. Each movable rack meshes with two sets of damping transmission components. The two movable racks are symmetrically arranged with the central axis of the damper cylinder as the center line, and the four damping transmission components are arranged in pairs symmetrically with the center of the damper cylinder.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in this application include: The applicant's analysis revealed that the eddy current damper, with its significant self-weight and lack of central support, suffers from excessive internal friction between the gears, racks, and other structural components due to its own weight. In this embodiment, a central support assembly alters the damper's support position, optimizing it from conventional end-support to primarily central support. This significantly reduces secondary stresses on structural components caused by excessive self-weight, minimizes internal friction between gears, racks, and other structural components, thereby enhancing the reliability of the axial tensile and compressive energy dissipation of the eddy current damper, as well as its long-term durability and service life. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the eddy current damper in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the supporting component in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a front view of the eddy current damper in the embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the eddy current damper in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a top view of the eddy current damper in an embodiment of this application.

[0017] In the figure: 1. Central support assembly; 11. Base plate connecting plate; 12. Side wall plate; 13. First pin; 14. Connecting frame; 2. Damper cylinder; 3. Damping transmission assembly; 31. Gear; 32. Eddy disk; 4. Movable rack; 5. Connecting ear plate; 6. Permanent magnet. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0019] In related technologies, the excessive weight of eddy current dampers leads to excessive bending stress on internal transmission components, affecting damping efficiency.

[0020] Firstly, such as Figure 1 As shown, this application provides a large-tonnage eddy current damper, which includes: a central support assembly 1, a damper cylinder 2, and at least one movable rack 4; wherein, The central support component 1 is used to connect to the main tower connector; The damper cylinder 2 is connected to the central support assembly 1, and the middle part of the damper cylinder 2 is supported on the central support assembly 1. The damper cylinder 2 is provided with at least one set of damping transmission assemblies 3; at least one movable rack 4 is movably disposed on the damper cylinder 2, one end of the movable rack 4 is engaged with the damping transmission assembly 3, and the other end is used to connect with the main beam connector.

[0021] It is worth noting that eddy current dampers, while having a large self-weight, lack central support, leading to excessive internal friction between the gears, racks, and other structural components caused by their own weight. In the embodiments described above, the support position of the damper is changed by using a central support assembly, optimizing the damper from conventional two-end support to primarily central support. This significantly reduces secondary stresses on structural components caused by excessive self-weight, and reduces internal friction between the gears, racks, and other structural components caused by self-weight. This enhances the reliability of the axial tensile and compressive energy dissipation of the eddy current damper, as well as its long-term durability and service life.

[0022] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the damper cylinder 2 is provided with at least two sets of damping transmission components 3 and at least two movable racks 4. Each movable rack 4 meshes with one set of damping transmission components 3, and the two movable racks 4 are symmetrically arranged with the central axis of the damper cylinder 2 as the center line.

[0023] Understandably, the displacement of the main beam will cause the movable rack 4 to extend and retract within the damper cylinder 2, thereby driving the damping transmission assembly 3 to move and generate damping, which is then fed back to the movable rack 4. The above-described mid-span type large-tonnage eddy current damper employs a telescopic mechanism with double movable racks 4, increasing the rack's load-bearing capacity and providing the possibility and safety reserve for achieving large tonnage dampers. The double-rack structure allows the overall structure to be symmetrical about the centerline. Compared to a single rack, the gear rack experiences more balanced force, reducing internal stress and friction caused by eccentric loading and improving the damper's energy dissipation efficiency.

[0024] Furthermore, the damping transmission assembly 3 includes a gear that meshes with the movable rack 4, and a multi-stage gear that subsequently meshes with the gear. The main gear and multiple secondary gears are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the rack, and the secondary gears are fixedly connected to the wall of the eddy current damper.

[0025] In a first optional embodiment of this application, the damper cylinder 2 is provided with at least one connecting lug 5, and two movable racks 4 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the connecting lug 5.

[0026] In a second optional embodiment of this application, the damper cylinder 2 is provided with two connecting lugs 5, and each of the two connecting lugs 5 is provided with a movable rack 4.

[0027] It is worth noting that, optionally, the connecting lug 5 is connected to the main beam connector by a pin. The connecting lug 5 is used to connect to the main beam connector, and the connecting lug 5 moves with the main beam connector to drive the rack to move telescopically within the damper cylinder 2.

[0028] Furthermore, the inner side of the damper cylinder 2 is provided with a slide rail, which meshes with the movable rack 4.

[0029] Understandably, the movable rack 4 can move along the slide.

[0030] In some specific embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the central support assembly 1 includes: a base plate connecting plate 11, two side wall plates 12, and a connecting frame 14; wherein, A base plate connecting plate 11 is used to connect to the main tower connecting component; two side wall plates 12 are spaced apart on the base plate connecting plate 11, and the two side wall plates 12 are connected to the damper cylinder 2 through a first pin 13; a connecting frame 14 is assembled between the two side wall plates 12, and the connecting frame 14 is provided with a through hole for the first pin 13 to pass through, and the connecting frame 14 is connected to the damper cylinder 2 through a second pin.

[0031] Optionally, the base plate connecting plate 11 and the main tower connecting parts are connected by pre-embedded anchor bolts or by welding.

[0032] Furthermore, bearings are provided at the top of the two side wall plates 12 and the connecting frame 14. The first pin 13 passes through the bearings and is connected to the damper cylinder 2. The second pin passes through the bearing at the top of the connecting frame 14 and is connected to the damper cylinder 2, thus connecting the connecting frame 14 and the damper cylinder 2 as one unit.

[0033] It is worth noting that in the above embodiment, the damper cylinder and the mid-span assembly are connected by bearings and pins. The two left and right pins ensure the damper's rotation in the vertical plane, while the upper and lower pins ensure its rotation in the horizontal plane. The four sets of bearings and pins ensure the damper's large-angle rotation at any angle in space. While ensuring energy dissipation during longitudinal bridge expansion and contraction, the damper can also accommodate the large lateral displacement of the main beam relative to the main tower under various loads.

[0034] In some specific implementation methods, such as Figure 4 As shown, the damping transmission assembly 3 includes: A gear transmission unit is assembled inside the damper cylinder 2, and the gear transmission unit meshes with the movable rack 4; a connecting shaft is disposed inside the damper cylinder 2, and the connecting shaft meshes with the gear transmission unit, with both ends of the connecting shaft extending out of the damper cylinder 2, and both ends of the connecting shaft are provided with vortex disks 32.

[0035] It should be noted that the large diameter of the first-stage gear 31 meshes with the small diameter of the second-stage gear 31, and so on, until the large gear of the penultimate-stage gear 31 meshes with the small gear of the vortex disk. The large and small diameter gears of each stage of gear 31 are coaxially fixed together; the vortex disk and its small gear are coaxially fixed together, with the vortex disk located on the outside of the damper cylinder 2 and the small gear located on the inside of the damper cylinder.

[0036] Furthermore, the two vortex disks 32 are connected by a connecting shaft. The two vortex disks 32 are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the damper cylinder. The two vortex disks 32 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the axial direction of the damper cylinder 2. The connecting shaft meshes with the gear transmission part.

[0037] It is worth noting that a gear is provided on the connecting shaft, that is, the eddy current disk 32 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the last stage gear of the gear transmission unit. The last stage gear and the eddy current disk 32 are respectively located on the inner and outer sides of the eddy current damper cylinder wall. Specifically, the last stage gear is located on the inner side of the eddy current damper cylinder wall, and the eddy current disk 32 is located on the outer side of the eddy current damper cylinder wall.

[0038] In some alternative embodiments, the vortex disk 32 has multiple grooves, and a permanent magnet 6 is disposed in each groove.

[0039] It should be noted that the vortex disk 32 has grooves evenly arranged along its circumference on the side near the damper cylinder wall, and the number of grooves is even. Each groove is inlaid with a permanent magnet. The magnetic poles of the permanent magnets are arranged alternately, that is, if the N pole of a permanent magnet faces the damper cylinder wall, then the S pole of its adjacent permanent magnet faces the damper cylinder wall.

[0040] In some preferred embodiments, the damper cylinder 2 includes an aluminum plate and a steel plate, which are stacked together.

[0041] Specifically, a gap of 1mm to 3mm is provided between the permanent magnet 6 and the damper cylinder wall. The damper cylinder wall opposite the permanent magnet is composed of two layers of plates. The outer layer of plate adjacent to the permanent magnet 6 is an aluminum plate, and the inner layer of plate is a steel plate. The aluminum plate has a thickness of 2 to 10mm, and the steel plate has a thickness of 20 to 50mm.

[0042] The working principle of the above-described eddy current damper embodiments includes: When the main beam and the main tower undergo longitudinal relative displacement, the two movable racks 4 of the damper move longitudinally relative to the damper cylinder 2. The axial linear movement of the movable racks 4 drives the connected gears 31 to rotate, and the rotation of the gears 31 sequentially drives the rotation of the following gear stages 31. Furthermore, due to the transmission of the multi-stage gears, the last stage gear drives the vortex disk 32 to rotate. The vortex disk 32 and the last stage gear are coaxially and fixedly connected to the damper cylinder wall. The vortex disk 32 is located on the outside of the damper cylinder, while the gears 31 are displaced on the inside of the damper cylinder.

[0043] Because the eddy current disk has an even number of grooves near the inner edge of the damper cylinder, each groove is inlaid with a permanent magnet, with the N and S poles of the permanent magnets arranged alternately. Therefore, during the rotation of the eddy current disk 32, the changing magnetic field generated by the alternating magnets creates eddy currents on the outside of the damper cylinder 2 and on the eddy current disk 32. The magnetic field generated by the eddy currents reacts on the magnets, forming a damping force. The damping force on the magnets is amplified through multiple gears 31, transmitted to the rack, forming the final damping force, and then transmitted to the main beam via the pin on the connecting lug 5. The combined damping force on the connecting lug 5 is the resultant force formed by the electromagnetic force transmitted from the four eddy current disks 32.

[0044] Understandably, due to the excellent symmetry of this structure, the damping force generated by the upper and lower vortex disks 32 on one side of the damper's axial centerline is amplified through multiple stages by gears 31 and then transmitted to the movable rack 4 on that side; similarly, the damping force generated by the upper and lower vortex disks 32 on the other side of the centerline is amplified through multiple stages by gears 31 and then transmitted to the movable rack 4 on that side. Furthermore, the forces on the two racks are equal in magnitude and in the same direction. This embodiment amplifies the electromagnetic damping force on the four vortex disks 32 through multiple stages and transmits it to the main beam via the two movable racks 4, thereby generating the large-tonnage damping force required for the main beam's vibration reduction.

[0045] This application provides two specific embodiments in which the damper cylinder 2 is provided with four damping transmission components 3 and two movable racks 4. Each movable rack 4 meshes with two sets of damping transmission components 3. The two movable racks 4 are symmetrically arranged with the central axis of the damper cylinder 2 as the center line, and the four damping transmission components 3 are arranged in pairs symmetrically with the center of the damper cylinder 2.

[0046] It is understandable that four of the aforementioned damping transmission components 3 can be configured to provide eight vortex disks 32.

[0047] It is worth noting that, due to the mid-span structure, the eddy current damper can be configured with two or more sets of eddy current disks. This slightly increases the self-weight without affecting the energy dissipation efficiency, thus providing technical support for achieving eddy current dampers with a tonnage of 400t and above.

[0048] The working principle of the second specific embodiment of the above-mentioned eddy current damper includes: As the double rack reciprocates axially, the two sets of gears 31 and vortex disks 32 on both sides of the central support assembly rotate synchronously, generating damping force on all eight vortex disks 32. Due to the excellent symmetry of this structure, the damping force generated by the four upper and lower vortex disks 32 (two on each side of the central support assembly 1) on one side of the damper's axial centerline is amplified by multiple gears 31 and then transmitted to the movable rack 4 on that side; the damping force generated by the four upper and lower vortex disks 32 (two on each side of the central support assembly) on the other side of the centerline is amplified by multiple gears 31 and then transmitted to the movable rack 4 on that side. Moreover, the forces on the double racks are equal in magnitude and in the same direction.

[0049] Understandably, this embodiment amplifies the electromagnetic damping force on the eight eddy current disks through multiple stages and transmits it to the main beam via a double rack, thereby forming the large-tonnage damping force required for the main beam's vibration reduction.

[0050] In summary, the mid-mounted large-tonnage eddy current damper of this invention changes the support position of the damper through a mid-mounted component, optimizing the damper from conventional two-end support to a primary mid-mounted support. This significantly reduces secondary stresses on structural components caused by excessive self-weight and decreases internal friction between gears, racks, and other structural components caused by self-weight. This enhances the reliability of axial tensile and compressive energy dissipation of the eddy current damper, as well as its long-term durability and service life. Furthermore, the mid-mounted large-tonnage eddy current damper of this invention employs a double-rack telescopic mechanism, increasing the rack's load-bearing capacity and providing both possibility and safety reserves for achieving large tonnage dampers. On the one hand, the double-rack structure allows the overall structure to be symmetrical about the centerline. Compared with a single rack, the gear rack experiences more balanced force, reducing internal stress and friction caused by eccentric loading and improving the energy dissipation efficiency of the damper. On the other hand, due to the mid-span structure, the eddy current damper can be configured with two or more sets of eddy current disks. This slightly increases the self-weight without affecting the energy dissipation efficiency, thus providing technical support for achieving eddy current dampers of 400t and above. Furthermore, the mid-span large-tonnage eddy current damper described in this invention uses bearings and pins to connect the damper cylinder and the mid-span assembly. The two left and right pins ensure the damper's rotation in the vertical plane, while the upper and lower pins ensure its rotation in the horizontal plane. The four sets of bearings and pins ensure large-angle rotation of the damper at any angle in space. While ensuring energy dissipation during longitudinal bridge expansion and contraction, the damper can also accommodate large lateral displacements of the main beam relative to the main tower under various loads.

[0051] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0052] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0053] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. An eddy current damper, characterized in that, include: The central support assembly (1) is used to connect to the main tower connector; The damper cylinder (2) is connected to the central support assembly (1), and the middle part of the damper cylinder (2) is supported on the central support assembly (1). At least one set of damping transmission assemblies (3) is provided on the damper cylinder (2). At least one movable rack (4) is movably mounted on the damper cylinder (2). One end of the movable rack (4) meshes with the damping transmission assembly (3), and the other end is used to connect with the main beam connector.

2. The eddy current damper as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The damper cylinder (2) is provided with at least two sets of damping transmission components (3) and at least two movable racks (4). Each movable rack (4) meshes with one set of damping transmission components (3), and the two movable racks (4) are symmetrically arranged with the central axis of the damper cylinder (2) as the center line.

3. The eddy current damper as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The damper cylinder (2) is provided with at least one connecting lug (5), and two movable racks (4) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the connecting lug (5).

4. The eddy current damper as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The damper cylinder (2) is provided with two connecting lugs (5), and each of the two connecting lugs (5) is provided with a movable rack (4).

5. The eddy current damper as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The damper cylinder (2) has a slide rail on its inner side, and the slide rail meshes with the movable rack (4).

6. The eddy current damper as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The central support component (1) includes: The base plate connecting plate (11) is used to connect to the main tower connecting parts; Two sidewall plates (12) are spaced apart on the bottom plate connecting plate (11), and the two sidewall plates (12) are connected to the damper cylinder (2) by a first pin (13); A connecting frame (14) is assembled between the two side wall plates (12). The connecting frame (14) has a through hole through which the first pin (13) passes. The connecting frame (14) is connected to the damper cylinder (2) by a second pin.

7. The eddy current damper as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The damping transmission assembly (3) includes: The gear transmission unit is assembled inside the damper cylinder (2), and the gear transmission unit meshes with the movable rack (4); A connecting shaft is provided inside the damper cylinder (2). The connecting shaft meshes with the gear transmission part. Both ends of the connecting shaft extend out of the damper cylinder (2), and both ends of the connecting shaft are provided with vortex disks (32).

8. The eddy current damper as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The vortex disk (32) has multiple grooves, and a permanent magnet (6) is provided in each groove.

9. The eddy current damper as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The damper cylinder (2) is provided with four damping transmission components (3) and two movable racks (4). Each movable rack (4) meshes with two sets of damping transmission components (3). The two movable racks (4) are symmetrically arranged with the central axis of the damper cylinder (2) as the center line, and the four damping transmission components (3) are arranged in pairs with the center of the damper cylinder (2) symmetrically arranged.

10. The eddy current damper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The damper cylinder (2) includes an aluminum plate and a steel plate, which are stacked together.

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