Auto-Tunable Mass Damper With Electromagnetic Counter-Torque
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration dampers require significant operational space and complex mechanical linkages for tuning, limiting their effectiveness and ease of use in reducing structural vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A compact, remotely-tunable mass damper with a simple structure that includes a frame movable along a base, a flywheel in geared engagement with a track gear, and a rotation damper with an automatically adjustable electrical characteristic to tune the counter-torque and damp vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linear damper is used to damp structural vibrations, then the damping function is achieved, but the device requires significant operational space and complex tuning procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the damper's mass moment of inertia adjustable during operation. The flywheel's effective inertia is changed by moving adjustable masses radially toward or away from the rotation axis, allowing the damper to adapt to different vibration frequencies and maintain optimal damping performance in a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical tuning process (which required disassembly and fluid replacement) with an automated mechanical adjustment system. An actuator automatically repositions masses on the flywheel to change the mass moment of inertia, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the operational space required.
2Reliability
If conventional dampers with elastomeric materials are used, then the damping function is provided, but the range of motion is restricted and tuning requires replacement of the elastomeric material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the damper dynamically adjustable by allowing the mass moment of inertia to be changed during operation. This enables the damper to adapt to a wider range of motion and different vibration conditions without replacing any materials, significantly improving versatility while maintaining the damping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of mass moment of inertia by repositioning masses on the flywheel. This parameter change allows the damper to be tuned for different operating conditions and ranges of motion without replacing the elastomeric material or other structural components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If prior art tunable dampers are used, then tuning capability is provided, but complex mechanical linkages and actuators are required to change mass inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and simplifies the tuning mechanism by using a direct actuator-flywheel interface without complex intermediate linkages. The actuator directly moves masses on the flywheel to change the mass moment of inertia, eliminating the need for complicated mechanical transmission systems while maintaining full tuning capability.
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 mass damper effectively reduces vibrations in structures or machines by automatically tuning the counter-torque, providing a compact and easy-to-use solution that surpasses the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation damper mounted on the frame, the rotation damper in geared engagement with the flywheel, the rotation damper producing a counter-torque against rotation of the flywheel
Implementation Method 2
the rotation damper may include an electrical generator driven by the flywheel, wherein an electrical output of the generator is directly proportional to the rotational velocity of the flywheel and produces the counter-torque
Implementation Method 3
a flywheel in geared engagement with the track gear so as to be rotationally driven as the frame moves linearly relative to the base
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method include with a mass damper for reducing vibrations in a structure or machine. The mass damper includes a frame that is movable linearly along a base, which includes a track gear. A flywheel is in geared engagement with the track gear so as to be rotationally driven as the frame moves linearly relative to the base. A rotation damper is mounted on the frame and is geared engagement with the flywheel, the rotation damper producing a counter-torque against rotation of the flywheel that is proportional to a rotational velocity of the flywheel. The rotation damper has an electrical characteristic that is automatically adjusted to change the counter-torque and tune the mass damper.