Active Tuned Vibration Absorber Decoupling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active tuned vibration absorbers face instability issues and complexity in design, especially when multiple units are used, due to the potential for mechanical energy transfer and interference between absorbers, which can lead to increased vibrations and stability challenges.
Innovation Solution
An active tuned vibration absorber system that includes a mount, a moveable mass, a spring arrangement, an actuator, and a control system using local measurements to generate an actuator driving signal that targets a specific relationship between force and acceleration, aiming to mimic the mechanical impedance of a passive tuned device, thereby improving stability and decoupling multiple absorbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the Q factor of a vibration absorber is increased to enhance resonant response and reduce mass, then the selectivity of vibration response increases and precise tuning is required, but the system becomes more sensitive to frequency variations and requires more precise tuning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the vibration absorber's properties time-varying through active control. The control system continuously adjusts the actuator force based on real-time vibration measurements, allowing the absorber to adapt its resonant frequency and Q factor dynamically. This enables the system to maintain high Q factor benefits while covering a broader frequency range by tracking varying vibration frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the vibration absorber from fixed (passive) to variable (active). By using sensors to detect vibration characteristics and a control system to adjust actuator parameters in real-time, the system can modify its resonant frequency and damping characteristics to match changing vibration conditions, thereby maintaining effectiveness across varying frequencies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple active tuned vibration absorbers are used to cover broader frequency ranges, then frequency coverage improves, but instability increases due to mechanical energy transfer and interference between absorbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control to monitor the overall vibration environment and the performance of each individual absorber. The control system adjusts each absorber's actuator force based on real-time measurements from sensors, ensuring that multiple absorbers work cooperatively rather than interfering with each other. This feedback mechanism prevents instability by detecting and correcting energy transfer issues between absorbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control of multiple vibration absorbers into independent controlled units, each with its own sensor and actuator. This allows each absorber to be controlled independently based on local vibration measurements, reducing the risk of interference and instability between absorbers while maintaining broad frequency coverage through coordinated operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If passive damping elements are used to reduce vibrations, then vibration reduction is achieved, but the Q factor decreases and the system responds less strongly at resonant frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive mechanical damping elements with an active control system consisting of sensors, a control unit, and actuators. Instead of relying on passive damping materials that reduce Q factor, the active system uses controlled force application to achieve vibration reduction while maintaining high Q factor characteristics. The actuator applies forces based on real-time vibration measurements, providing damping effects without the Q factor penalty of passive elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides efficient vibration attenuation with improved stability, allowing for the addition of multiple absorbers without destabilizing the system, and reduces the need for low damping levels, enhancing the effectiveness of vibration reduction while simplifying the design and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arrangement connected between the mass and the mount
Implementation Method 2
an actuator arrangement for applying a force between the mass and the mount
Implementation Method 3
The vibration absorbers are tuned, by appropriate choice of components, so that they resonate within a predetermined range of frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
An active tuned vibration absorber (100) is disclosed for reducing vibrations in a structure, the vibration absorber comprising: a mount (104) for attachment to the structure; a moveable mass (106); a spring arrangement (108) connected between the mass and the mount; an actuator arrangement (110) for applying a force between the mass and the mount; a first sensor (112) for providing a first measurement indicative of a force exerted between the structure and the mount; a second sensor (114) for providing a second measurement indicative of an acceleration of the structure at or proximate to the mount; and a control system (116) for generating an actuator driving signal for driving the actuator using the first and second measurement, wherein the control system is operable to generate the actuator driving signal to cause the first measurement and second measurement to conform to a target relationship.