Vibration-damping structure with internal grid and vibration dampers

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that includes a structure. The structure includes a first skin, a second skin, and a cellular core connected to the first skin and the second skin. The cellular core includes a cantilever damper and an internal cavity between the first skin and the second skin. The cantilever damper protrudes into the internal cavity. The cantilever damper includes a plurality of damper masses and a plurality of damper arms interconnecting the plurality of damper masses.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Reference to Related Application) This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 971,258, filed October 21, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] (Technical field) The present disclosure relates generally to structures that include internal vibration damping structures. [Background technology]

[0003] Various devices, such as vehicles, power plants, and electronic equipment, can generate or be affected by vibrations during operation. These vibrations can be annoying to nearby observers, impose internal stresses on one or more components of the device, and disrupt operation of the component or device. Various techniques and devices for damping vibrations are known in the art. While these known vibration damper techniques and devices have various advantages, there is still room for improvement in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus including a structure. The structure includes a first skin, a second skin, and a cellular core connected to the first skin and the second skin. The cellular core includes a cantilever damper and an internal cavity between the first skin and the second skin. The cantilever damper protrudes into the internal cavity. The cantilever damper includes a plurality of damper masses and a plurality of damper arms interconnecting the plurality of damper masses.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, another device is provided that includes a structure. The structure includes a first skin, a second skin, and a lattice structure between the first skin and the second skin. The lattice structure includes a base and a damper. The base at least partially defines an internal cavity between the first skin and the second skin. The base is formed from a plurality of base masses and a plurality of base arms interconnecting the base masses. The damper is cantilevered from the base and partially projects into the internal cavity. The damper includes a plurality of damper masses and a plurality of damper arms interconnecting the damper masses and connecting to the base.

[0006] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, another device is provided, including a structure. The structure includes a first skin, a second skin, and a core. The core includes a cantilevered damper and an internal cavity between the first skin and the second skin. The cantilevered damper protrudes into the internal cavity. The cantilevered damper includes a damper mass and a damper arm connected to the damper mass. The damper mass is disposed at an unsupported distal end of the cantilevered damper. One or more perforations extending through the first skin are fluidly coupled to a resonant chamber within the core.

[0007] The resonant chamber may be configured as or include an internal cavity.

[0008] The resonant chamber may be configured to have or otherwise contain a volume within the core member.

[0009] The damper mass may include a first damper mass and a second damper mass. The damper arm may include a first damper arm and a second damper arm. The first damper mass can connect the first damper arm to the second damper arm. The second damper arm can connect the first damper mass to the second damper mass.

[0010] The first damper arm, the first damper mass, the second damper arm, and the second damper mass may be arranged in sequence along the first axis.

[0011] The cantilever damper may protrude into the interior cavity along the first axis to an unsupported distal end of the cantilever damper.

[0012] The damper mass may also include a third damper mass. The damper arm may also include a third damper arm. The third damper arm may be between the second damper mass and the third damper mass along the first axis.

[0013] The cellular core may be between the first skin and the second skin along a second axis angularly offset from the first axis. The damper mass may also include a third damper mass. The damper arm may also include a third damper arm. The third damper arm may be between the second damper mass and the third damper mass along the second axis.

[0014] The cellular core may be between the first skin and the second skin along a second axis angularly offset from the first axis. The damper mass may also include a third damper mass. The damper arm may also include a third damper arm. The third damper arm may be between the second damper mass and the third damper mass along a third axis angularly offset from the first axis and the second axis.

[0015] The first damper mass may be between the first damper arm and the second damper arm along a first axis, and the second damper arm may be between the first damper mass and the second damper mass along a second axis angularly offset from the first axis.

[0016] The cellular core may be between the first skin and the second skin along the second axis.

[0017] The cellular core may be between the first and second skins along a third axis that is angularly offset from the first and second axes.

[0018] The first damper mass may be solid.

[0019] The first damper mass may have an interior volume fluidly coupled with the perforation in the first skin.

[0020] The first damper arm may have an internal bore between it and the perforation in the first skin fluidly coupling the internal volume to the perforation in the first skin.

[0021] The internal cavity may be fluidly coupled to one or more perforations in the first skin.

[0022] The cellular core may also include a lattice structure at least partially defining an interior cavity between the first skin and the second skin, and the cantilevered damper may be connected to a base of the lattice structure and protrude therefrom into the interior cavity.

[0023] The grid may include a plurality of base masses and a plurality of base arms interconnecting the base masses.

[0024] The first base mass can be solid.

[0025] The first base mass may have an interior volume fluidly coupled with the perforations in the first skin.

[0026] The present disclosure may include any one or more of the individual features disclosed above and / or below, alone or in any combination thereof.

[0027] The foregoing features and operation of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic perspective view of the vibration damping structure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of a cellular core for a vibration-damping structure. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views of various core masses. [Figure 4A] 10A-10C are perspective views of various shapes of core masses. [Figure 4B] 10A-10C are perspective views of various shapes of core masses. [Figure 4C] 10A-10C are perspective views of various shapes of core masses. [Figure 4D] 10A-10C are perspective views of various shapes of core masses. [Figure 4E] 10A-10C are perspective views of various shapes of core masses. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views of various core arms, and FIG. 1C is a schematic side view of another core arm. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams of various shapes of core arms. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the vibration damping structure. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of another portion of the vibration damping structure taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of another portion of the vibration damping structure taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a vibration control structure in a cantilever core damper. [Figure 11A] 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another portion of the vibration damping structure taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, illustrating various core damper arrangements. [Figure 11B] 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another portion of the vibration damping structure taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, illustrating various core damper arrangements. [Figure 12A] 1A-1C are partial cross-sectional views of vibration damping structures with various core damper arrangements. [Figure 12B]1A-1C are partial cross-sectional views of vibration damping structures with various core damper arrangements. [Figure 12C] 1A-1C are partial cross-sectional views of vibration damping structures with various core damper arrangements. [Figure 13] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of vibration damping structures configured as acoustic structures with various resonant chamber configurations. [Figure 14] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of vibration damping structures configured as acoustic structures with various resonant chamber configurations. [Figure 15] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of vibration damping structures configured as acoustic structures with various resonant chamber configurations. [Figure 16] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of vibration damping structures configured as acoustic structures with various resonant chamber configurations. [Figure 17] 1A-D are diagrams of components including one or more damping structures with various arrangements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] FIG. 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of a vibration-damping structure 20. The vibration-damping structure 20 can be configured as or included in a wall, support, and / or other structure that is subject to vibration. Examples of walls include, but are not limited to, duct walls, pipe walls, case walls, liner walls, shell walls, tank walls, compartment walls, vessel walls, bulkheads, housing walls, etc. The wall can be an interior wall, an exterior wall, a side wall, and / or an end wall. Examples of supports include, but are not limited to, struts, vanes, posts, mounts, pylons, racks, cabinets, etc. The vibration-damping structure 20 can form or be included as a component of a manned aircraft, a surface vehicle (such as a boat, ship, or submersible), a land vehicle, a power plant, electrical equipment, industrial equipment, electronic equipment, and / or other equipment that vibrates and / or may be subject to vibration during operation.

[0030] The damping structure 20 extends laterally in a first lateral direction (e.g., x-axis direction) along a first lateral axis (e.g., x-axis). The damping structure 20 extends laterally in a second lateral direction (e.g., y-axis direction) along a second lateral axis (e.g., y-axis), where the second lateral axis is angularly offset from the first lateral axis by an angle, e.g., a right angle. The damping structure 20 extends perpendicularly in a vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) along a vertical axis (e.g., Z-axis), where the vertical axis is angularly offset from the first lateral axis by an angle (e.g., right angle) and / or the vertical axis is angularly offset from the second lateral axis by an angle (e.g., right angle). Note that, as used herein, the term "lateral" may be used generally to describe a first lateral (x) direction, a second lateral (y) direction, and / or other directions within a lateral plane (e.g., xy plane). It should also be noted that the term "vertical" may be used herein to describe a depthwise structural orientation and is not limited to an up-and-down orientation due to gravity. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, FIG. 1 illustrates the lateral (e.g., x-y) plane as a generally flat plane. However, in other embodiments, the lateral (x-y) plane, and therefore the vibration-damping structure 20, may follow a curved and / or wavy shape. For example, the lateral (x-y) plane, and therefore the vibration-damping structure 20, may be arc-shaped, cylindrical, conical, frusto-conical, or tapered with or without radial wavy or wavy features. In such embodiments, only the vertical (z-axis) direction is defined relative to a position of interest on the lateral (x-y) plane. For example, in a spherical lateral (x-y) plane, the vertical (z-axis) direction is a radial direction.

[0031] The vibration-damping structure 20 of FIG. 1 includes a solid (e.g., non-perforated) first skin 22, a solid (e.g., non-perforated) second skin 24, and a cellular core 26. The cellular core 26 may be disposed perpendicularly between and extend perpendicular to the first skin 22 and / or the second skin 24. The cellular core 26 may be connected to the first skin 22 and / or the second skin 24. For example, the cellular core 26 may be welded, brazed, fused, adhesively bonded, or otherwise bonded to the first skin 22 and / or the second skin 24. In another embodiment, the cellular core 26 may be integrally formed with the first skin 22 and / or the second skin 24 as a monolithic body.

[0032] The first skin 22 may be a relatively thin sheet or layer (e.g., continuous, uninterrupted, non-porous, etc.) of material extending laterally in the transverse (xy) plane. This first skin material may be composed of or include metallic and / or non-metallic materials. Examples of non-metallic materials include thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers. Another example of a non-metallic material includes a fiber-reinforced composite in a polymer matrix. Still other examples of non-metallic materials include ceramics or various other common structural materials. However, this disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned exemplary first skin materials. The first skin 22 has a vertical thickness 28. This first skin vertical thickness 28 extends perpendicularly between the opposing sides 30 and 32 of the first skin 22.

[0033] The second skin 24 may be a relatively thin sheet or layer (e.g., continuous, uninterrupted, non-porous, etc.) of material extending laterally in the transverse (xy) plane. This second skin material may be composed of or include metallic and / or non-metallic materials. Examples of non-metallic materials include thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers. Another example of a non-metallic material includes a fiber-reinforced composite in a polymer matrix. Still other examples of non-metallic materials include ceramics or various other common structural materials. However, this disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned exemplary second skin materials. The second skin material may be the same or different from the first skin material. The second skin 24 has a vertical thickness 34. This second skin vertical thickness 34 extends perpendicularly between opposing sides 36 and 38 of the second skin 24. The second skin vertical thickness 34 may be equal to or different from (e.g., greater than or less than) the first skin vertical thickness 28.

[0034] The cellular core 26 extends laterally in a transverse (xy) plane. The cellular core 26 has a vertical thickness 40. This core vertical thickness 40 extends vertically between opposite sides 42 and 44 of the cellular core 26. The core side 42 may abut the inner surface 30 of the first skin 22. The core side 44 may abut the inner surface 36 of the second skin 24. The core vertical thickness 40 may be significantly greater than the first skin vertical thickness 28 and / or the second skin vertical thickness 34. For example, the core vertical thickness 40 may be between 10 times (10x) and 40 times (40x) greater than the first skin vertical thickness 28 and / or the second skin vertical thickness 34. However, the vibration damping structure 20 of the present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary dimensional relationships. For example, the core thickness may alternatively be less than ten times (10x) the vertical thickness 28 of the first skin, or may be greater than or equal to forty times (40x) the vertical thickness 34 of the second skin.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2 , the cellular core 26 includes multiple core masses 46A and 46B (commonly referred to as “46”) and multiple core arms 48A and 48B (commonly referred to as “48”). Note that for ease of illustration, only selected core masses and selected core arms are labeled in the figure. The core masses 46 include one or more base masses 46A and one or more damper masses 46B. The core arms 48 may include one or more base arms 48A and one or more damper arms 48B. These core members 46 and 48 are formed from one or more core materials, such as, but not limited to, metal and / or non-metallic materials. Examples of non-metallic materials include thermoplastic polymers or thermoset polymers. Another example of a non-metallic material includes a fiber-reinforced composite in a polymer matrix. Still other examples of non-metallic materials include ceramics or various other common structural materials. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned exemplary core materials.

[0036] 3A and 3B, each of the core masses 46 may be configured as a mass of material, such as a point mass or a lumped mass. The mass of material may be solid (see, e.g., FIG. 3A) or hollow (see, e.g., FIG. 3B). Each core mass 46 has a core mass shape. The core mass shape may be symmetrical. The core mass shape may be, for example, spherical (see, e.g., FIG. 4A), cubic (see, e.g., FIG. 4B), or a Schwarz-P body (see, e.g., FIG. 4C). However, the present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary core mass shapes or symmetrical core mass shapes. For example, the core mass shape may instead be cylindrical (see, e.g., FIG. 4D) or rectangular (see, e.g., FIG. 4E). Each of the core masses 46 in FIGS. 3A and 3B has a core mass size 50, such as a diameter, width, etc. 2 , the core masses 46 may be configured with a common (same) configuration, such as a common shape, a common size, formed from a common material, etc. Alternatively, one or more core masses 46 may have a different configuration from one or more other core masses 46. For example, a base mass 46A may have a different shape, a different size, and / or be formed from a different material than a damper mass 46B. Additionally or alternatively, one or more base masses 46A may have a different configuration from one or more other base masses 46A, and / or one or more damper masses 46B may have a different configuration from one or more other damper masses 46B.

[0037] 5A-5C, each of the core arms 48 may be configured as a linkage, such as a rod or tube. This linkage may be solid (see, e.g., FIG. 5A) or hollow (see, e.g., FIG. 5B). Each of the core arms 48 has a core arm shape. This core arm shape may be, for example, cylindrical or prismatic. For example, the core arm 48 of FIG. 6A has a rounded (e.g., circular, elliptical, etc.) cross-sectional shape. In another embodiment, the core arm 48 of FIG. 6B has a polygonal (e.g., square, rectangular, triangular, etc.) cross-sectional shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary core arm shapes. Each of the core arms 48 of FIGS. 5A-5C has a core arm size 52 (e.g., diameter, width, etc.) and a core arm length 54. The core arm size 52 may be smaller than the core mass size 50 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3A and 3B). For example, the core mass size 50 may be at least 1.5 times (1.5x), twice (2x), three times (3x), five times (5x), or more the core arm size 52, although the present disclosure is not limited to such dimensional relationships. With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, this core arm size 52 may remain uniform along the longitudinal length 54 of each core arm 48. For example, it may be uniform between each pair of adjacent core masses 46 (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, with reference to FIG. 5C, the core arm size 52 may vary (e.g., increase and / or decrease) continuously or intermittently along the longitudinal length 54 of each core arm 48. With reference to FIG. 2, the core arms 48 may be configured with a common configuration, such as a common shape, a common size, a common length, formed from a common material, etc. Alternatively, one or more of the core arms 48 may have a different configuration from one or more of the other core arms 48. For example, base arm 48A may have a different shape, a different size, a different length, and / or may be made of a different material than damper arm 48B.Additionally or alternatively, one or more base masses 48A may have a different configuration than one or more other base arms 48A, and / or one or more damper arms 48B may have a different configuration than one or more other damper arms 48B.

[0038] The core masses 46 may be arranged in a (e.g., uniform, evenly spaced) three-dimensional array or matrix. For example, the core masses 46 in FIG. 2 are arranged in multiple (e.g., evenly spaced) rows along a first horizontal axis, e.g., the x-axis. The core masses 46 are arranged in multiple (e.g., evenly spaced) rows along a second horizontal axis, e.g., the y-axis. The core masses 46 are also arranged in multiple (e.g., evenly spaced) rows along a vertical axis, e.g., the z-axis. The core masses 46 in FIG. 2 may be further interconnected by core arms 48, thereby providing a core lattice structure 56 in the cellular core 26. For example, each core arm 48 in FIGS. 7-9 extends between and connects a pair of adjacent (e.g., adjacent) core masses 46. More specifically, each adjacent pair of base masses 46A is coupled by a respective one (e.g., a single) of base arms 48A. Each pair of adjacent arm masses 46B is connected by one (e.g., a single) respective one of the damper arms 48B. Furthermore, one or more selected adjacent pairs of core masses 46A and 46B are connected by one (e.g., one) respective one of the damper arms 48B (see FIG. 7). However, at least some of the adjacent pairs of core masses 46A and 46B are separated from one another and are not connected by an arm 48A or 48B. With this arrangement, the cellular core 26 and its core lattice structure 56 of FIGS. 7 and 8 are comprised of a core base 58 and one or more core dampers 60 (e.g., cantilever vibration dampers).

[0039] The core base 58 can provide a structural backbone and / or frame for the vibration-damping structure 20. For example, the core base 58 of FIGS. 7-9 includes one or more core reinforcements 62 (see FIGS. 7 and 9), one or more first core walls 64 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), and one or more second core walls 66 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Referring to FIG. 7, each core reinforcement 62 extends perpendicularly between the first skin 22 and the second skin 24 and is connected to the first skin 22 and the second skin 24. Each first core wall 64 extends laterally along the first skin 22, for example, between adjacent pairs of core reinforcements 62. Each second core wall 66 extends laterally along the second skin 24, for example, between adjacent pairs of core reinforcements 62. Each second core wall 66 can further laterally overlap each of the first core walls 64. However, the overlapping core walls 64 and 66 in FIG. 7 (see also FIG. 8) are vertically separated from one another. The cellular core 26 may be formed with one or more internal cavities 68 (e.g., pockets, continuous internal volumes (when not considering the respective core dampers 60), etc.). Each internal cavity 68 is disposed vertically between the first skin 22 and the second skin 24. More specifically, each internal cavity 68 in FIG. 7 lies vertically between and is formed by a respective pair of overlapping core walls 64 and 66 (see also FIG. 8 ). Each internal cavity 68 lies laterally (in the first transverse (x) direction) between and is formed by a respective pair of adjacent core reinforcements 62. However, in other embodiments, one or more of the internal cavities 68 may instead be partially formed by at least one of the skins 22 and / or 24; for example, at least one of the core walls 64 and / or 66 may be omitted.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 10 , each core reinforcement 62 includes one or more columns 70 of base members 46A and 48A. Each base member row 70 includes interconnected sets of base masses 46A and base arms 48A. For example, each base member row 70 in FIG. 10 is formed from sets of base members 46A and 48A (e.g., 48A, 46A, 48A, 46A, 48A, 46A, 48A) sequentially arranged along a vertical axis between the first skin 22 and the second skin 24. Base masses 46A in laterally adjacent base member rows 70 (along the first horizontal axis) may be connected by respective base arms 48A. Referring to FIG. 9 , base masses 46A in each base member row 70 along the second horizontal axis may also be connected by respective base arms 48A.

[0041] 10, each first core wall 64 includes a respective interconnected set of base masses 46A and base arms 48A. For example, the first core wall 64 of FIG. 10 is formed from a respective set of base members 46A and 48A (e.g., 48A, 46A, 48A, 46A, and 48A) sequentially arranged along the first horizontal axis between each pair of adjacent core reinforcements 62. The base masses 46A within this first core wall 64 are also connected to the first skin 22 by respective base arms 48A. Referring to FIG. 8, the base masses 46A within each first core wall 64 along the second horizontal axis may also be connected by respective base arms 48A.

[0042] 10, each second core wall 66 includes a respective interconnected set of base masses 46A and base arms 48A. For example, the second core wall 66 of FIG. 10 is formed from a respective set of base members 46A and 48A (e.g., 48A, 46A, 48A, 46A, and 48A) sequentially arranged along the first horizontal axis between each pair of adjacent core reinforcements 62. The base masses 46A within this second core wall 66 are also connected to the second skin 24 by respective base arms 48A. Referring to FIG. 8, the base masses 46A within each second core wall 66 along the second horizontal axis may also be connected by respective base arms 48A.

[0043] Referring to Figure 10, each core damper 60 projects laterally partially into a respective one of the internal cavities 68. For example, the core damper 60 of Figure 10 projects in a first lateral direction (x) from a respective one of the core stiffeners 62 to a (e.g., unsupported) distal end 72 of that core damper 60. The damper's distal end 72 is laterally spaced apart from the other core stiffeners 62 to form a respective internal cavity 68. The core damper 60 is vertically spaced apart from and disengaged from the opposing walls 64 and 66 that form each internal cavity 68. This allows the core damper 60 of Figure 10 to be cantilevered from the core base 58 and its respective core stiffener 62.

[0044] The core damper 60 includes one or more rows 74 of damper elements 46B and 48B. Each damper element row 74 includes a respective interconnected set of damper masses 46B and damper arms 48B. For example, each damper element row 74 of FIG. 10 is formed from a respective set of damper elements 46B and 48B (e.g., 48B, 46B, 48B, and 46B) sequentially arranged along a first horizontal axis between each core stiffener 62 and the damper distal end 72 of each core damper 60, where each one of the damper masses 46B is located at the damper distal end 72 of each core damper 60. The damper masses 46B in vertically adjacent damper element rows 74 may be connected by respective damper arms 48B. Referring to FIG. 8, the damper masses 46B in each damper element row 74 along the second horizontal axis may also be connected by respective damper arms 48B. However, in other embodiments, some or all of these damper arms 48B along the second horizontal axis can be omitted, providing multiple transversely (e.g., in the second horizontal (y) direction) parallel core dampers 60 within a common internal cavity 68. See, e.g., FIGS. 11A and 11B. Furthermore, while each damper element row 74 in FIG. 10 is shown with two damper masses 46B and two damper arms 48B, one or more or all of the damper element rows 74 may alternatively include (A) a single damper mass 46B and / or a single damper arm 48B (see, e.g., FIG. 12A), or (B) two or more damper masses 46B and / or two or more damper arms 48B (see, e.g., FIG. 12B). It is also contemplated that at least one core damper 60 may have a different configuration than another core damper 60. See, e.g., FIG. 12C. This arrangement allows the core dampers 60 to be tuned to damp a variety of different vibration frequencies. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned exemplary core damper configurations.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 10 , the vibration-damping structure 20 may be subjected to vibrations during operation of an apparatus, such as operation of a vehicle, a power plant, or the like. These vibrations may excite movement of one or more core dampers 60. The movement of the core dampers may include bending (e.g., flexing) up and down in a vertical direction. This vertical bending may at least partially absorb and dissipate vibration energy. This allows the vibration-damping structure 20 to reduce the transmission of vibrations associated with and / or through it.

[0046] In some embodiments, core members 46 and 48 may be formed together as a single monolithic body using, for example, additive manufacturing, casting, etc. Such manufacturing techniques may also be used to form first skin 22 and / or second skin 24 integral with cellular core 26 within the monolithic body. Of course, in other embodiments, first skin 22 and / or second skin 24 may alternatively be formed separately from cellular core 26 and then glued and / or otherwise attached to cellular core 26. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular cellular core manufacturing technique.

[0047] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 13 , the vibration-damping structure 20 may be configured as an acoustic structure 76, such as an acoustic panel. The first skin 22 of FIG. 13 is configured, for example, as a perforated skin. More specifically, the first skin 22 includes one or more first skin perforations 78. Each of these first skin perforations 78 extends vertically through the first skin 22 between the opposing sides 30 and 32 of the first skin 22. The first skin perforations 78 are fluidly coupled to one or more gaps 80 (e.g., gaps, spaces, etc.) formed between the core members 46 and 48. At least some of these gaps 80 can fluidly couple the first skin perforations 78 to one or more internal cavities 68. With this arrangement, the gaps 80 and the internal cavities 68 can form one or more resonant chambers within the cellular core 26 between the first skin 22 and the second skin 24.

[0048] During operation, sound waves propagating within a volume 82 (e.g., a cavity, passageway, etc.) adjacent to the first skin 22 may enter the damping structure 20 and its one or more resonant chambers through the perforations 78 in the first skin. These sound waves may be reflected by one or more of the core members 46 and 48 and / or the second skin 24 and return out of the damping structure 20 through the perforations 78 in the first skin. These reflected sound waves exiting the damping structure 20 may destructively interfere with other (e.g., incoming) sound waves propagating within the volume, thereby attenuating the other sound waves.

[0049] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 14 , one, some, or all of the core members 46 and 48 can be hollow to form one or more (e.g., additional) resonant chambers. These one or more resonant chambers are fluidly coupled to one or more of the perforations 78 in the respective first skins. Each resonant chamber may include an internal volume 84 within one or more base masses 46A and / or an internal bore 86 within one or more base arms 48A. While the resonant chambers in FIG. 14 are formed by (e.g., only by) the core base 58, it is contemplated that one or more resonant chambers could extend to one or more of the damper members 46B and 48B. Furthermore, while the vibration-damping structure 20 in FIG. 14 is shown as having resonant chambers inside and outside the core members 46 and 48, it is contemplated that the perforations 78 in the first skins may instead be fluidly coupled only to the resonant chambers inside the core members 46 and 48, rather than, for example, the gaps 80 and / or the internal cavities 68.

[0050] In some embodiments, the entire first skin 22 may be perforated. In other embodiments, referring to FIG. 15 , a select portion 88 (or portions) of the first skin 22 may be perforated. With such an arrangement, the perforated portion 88 of the first skin 22 may facilitate acoustic damping, while the remaining portions 90 of the damping structure 20 may be configured for vibration damping without acoustic damping. Alternatively, one or more portions 90 of the first skin 22 may remain unperforated to laterally expand the resonant chamber within the cellular core 26.

[0051] In some embodiments, with reference to Figure 10, each core damper 60 may include a row of multiple (e.g., equally spaced) core masses 46 along a vertical axis, e.g., the Z-axis. In other embodiments, with reference to, for example, Figure 16, any one or more or all of the core dampers 60 described above may each alternatively include a single row of core masses 46 along a vertical axis, e.g., the Z-axis. However, the core damper 60 may include one or more (e.g., equally spaced) rows of core masses 46 along a first horizontal axis (e.g., the x-axis). The core damper 60 may also include one or more (e.g., equally spaced) rows of core masses 46 along a second horizontal axis (e.g., the y-axis).

[0052] In some embodiments, one or more or all of the internal cavities 68 and / or gaps 80 may be filled with a gas (e.g., air) or may be empty. In other embodiments, one or more or all of the internal cavities 68 and / or gaps 80 may be partially or completely filled with a filler material. Examples of filler materials include, but are not limited to, foams, bulk materials, liquids, gels, and / or various other homogeneous or non-homogeneous materials.

[0053] 17A and 17B, the damping structure 20 can form the entire equipment component 92. For example, if the equipment component 92 is a tubular duct wall (e.g., a combustor wall or another flow path wall), the damping structure 20 can extend axially along an axial centerline 94 of the equipment component 92 between and to opposite axial ends 96 and 98 of the equipment component 92. The damping structure 20 can also extend completely around the axial centerline 94. However, with reference to FIGS. 17C and 17D, the damping structure 20 can alternatively form respective sections of the equipment component 92. For example, while the damping structure 20 in FIG. 17C extends axially partially along the axial centerline 94 between the ends 96 and 98 of the component, the damping structure 20 may (or may not) extend completely around the axial centerline 94. 17D, device component 92 includes one or more of vibration-damping structures 20. These vibration-damping structures 20 may be arranged in an array about axial centerline 94. Each of the vibration-damping structures 20 extends partially circumferentially about axial centerline 94 and is circumferentially spaced apart from each circumferentially adjacent vibration-damping structure 20. However, each vibration-damping structure 20 may (or may not) extend completely axially along axial centerline 94 between and to device ends 96 and / or 98. Such an arrangement allows vibration-damping structures 20 to be positioned at specific locations subject to peak vibrations and / or peak acoustic waves, for example.

[0054] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure described herein includes several aspects and embodiments that include specific features. These features may be described individually, but are within the scope of the present disclosure; some or all of these features may be combined with any one of the aspects and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be limited except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. a structure including a first skin, a second skin, and a cellular core connected to the first skin and the second skin; the cellular core including a cantilever damper and an internal cavity between the first skin and the second skin; the cantilever damper protruding into the internal cavity and including a plurality of damper masses and a plurality of damper arms interconnecting the plurality of damper masses; Device.

2. the plurality of damper masses includes a first damper mass and a second damper mass; the plurality of damper arms include a first damper arm and a second damper arm, the first damper mass connects the first damper arm to the second damper arm, and the second damper arm connects the first damper mass to the second damper mass.

10. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first damper arm, the first damper mass, the second damper arm, and the second damper mass are arranged in sequence along a first axis.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the cantilevered damper projects into the internal cavity along the first axis to an unsupported distal end of the cantilevered damper.

5. the plurality of damper masses further includes a third damper mass; the plurality of damper arms further including a third damper arm; the third damper arm is between the second damper mass and the third damper mass along the first axis; 4. The apparatus of claim 3.

6. the cellular core is between the first skin and the second skin along a second axis that is angularly offset from the first axis; the plurality of damper masses further includes a third damper mass; the plurality of damper arms further including a third damper arm; the third damper arm is between the second damper mass and the third damper mass along the second axis; 4. The apparatus of claim 3.

7. the cellular core is between the first skin and the second skin along a second axis that is angularly offset from the first axis; the plurality of damper masses further includes a third damper mass; the plurality of damper arms further including a third damper arm; the third damper arm is between the second damper mass and the third damper mass along a third axis that is angularly offset from the first axis and the second axis; 4. The apparatus of claim 3.

8. the first damper mass is between the first damper arm and the second damper arm along a first axis; the second damper arm is between the first damper mass and the second damper mass along a second axis that is angularly offset from the first axis; 3. The apparatus of claim 2.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the cellular core is between the first skin and the second skin along the second axis.

10. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the cellular core lies between the first and second skins along a third axis that is angularly offset from the first and second axes.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a first damper mass of the plurality of damper masses has an interior volume fluidly coupled with a perforation in the first skin.

12. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a first damper arm of the plurality of damper arms has an internal bore between the first skin and the perforation, fluidly coupling the internal volume to the first skin perforation.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the internal cavity is fluidly coupled to one or more perforations in the first skin.

14. the cellular core further includes a lattice structure that at least partially defines the interior cavity between the first skin and the second skin; the cantilever damper is connected to a base of the lattice structure and projects therefrom into the interior cavity; 10. The apparatus of claim 1.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the lattice structure includes a plurality of base masses and a plurality of base arms interconnecting the plurality of base masses.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein a first base mass of the plurality of base masses has an interior volume fluidly coupled with a perforation in the first skin.

17. a structure including a first skin, a second skin, and a lattice structure between the first skin and the second skin, the lattice structure including a base and a damper; a base at least partially defining an interior cavity between the first skin and the second skin, the base being formed from a plurality of base masses and a plurality of base arms interconnecting the plurality of base masses; the damper cantilevered from the base and projecting partially into the internal cavity, the damper including a plurality of damper masses and a plurality of damper arms interconnecting the plurality of damper masses to one another and to the base. Device.

18. a structure including a first skin, a second skin, and a core; the core including a cantilever damper and an internal cavity between the first skin and the second skin; a cantilever damper projecting into the internal cavity, the cantilever damper including a damper mass and a damper arm connected to the damper mass, the damper mass being disposed at an unsupported distal end of the cantilever damper; one or more perforations through the first skin are fluidly coupled to a resonant chamber within the core; Device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the resonant chamber comprises the internal cavity.

20. 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the resonant chamber comprises a volume within the core member.

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