Helical Spring with Internal Toroidal Damping for Vibration Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration attenuation systems face challenges in effectively damping vibrational energy transmission, particularly in systems with multiple oscillators, due to constraints in physical placement and types of damping elements, leading to potential damage and catastrophic failure.
Innovation Solution
A vibration attenuation system comprising a helical spring and toroidal damping elements that engage with the spring coils to dissipate energy, utilizing frictional and compressive forces to attenuate input signals, with safety leashes to manage energy release and prevent projectile motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If damping elements are coupled to springs to dissipate vibrational energy, then the transmissibility of the system is decreased, but the physical placement and types of damping elements are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is positioned inside the inner volume of the spring, with the damping element's outer surface engaging the inner surface of the spring coils. This nested configuration allows the damping element to be integrated within the spring structure itself, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets or external attachment mechanisms, thereby reducing physical placement constraints while maintaining effective vibration attenuation.
2Reliability
If multiple oscillators require damping, then the vibration attenuation is improved, but the engineering challenges are multiplied
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is designed with a universal engagement mechanism that allows it to interact with spring coils through frictional and compressive forces regardless of the specific oscillator configuration. This multi-functional design enables the same damping element structure to be applied to single or multiple oscillators without requiring different engineering approaches, thereby reducing the multiplication of engineering challenges when scaling to multiple oscillators.
3Force
If the spring is driven at or near resonant frequency, then the transmitted energy is amplified, but the damping elements can dissipate energy over a longer time scale
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is specifically designed to engage the spring coils through frictional and compressive forces during oscillation. By positioning the damping element's outer surface to engage the inner surface of the spring coils within the spring's inner volume, the system converts the harmful resonant amplification into beneficial energy dissipation. The damping element dissipates vibrational energy through controlled friction and compression as the coils oscillate, transforming the resonant energy that would otherwise cause damage into heat and other non-mechanical energy forms, thereby protecting the system even when driven at resonant frequencies.
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 system effectively attenuates vibrational energy transmission across a range of frequencies, reducing the risk of damage and catastrophic failure by dissipating energy through the engagement of damping elements with the spring coils, while ensuring safety through controlled energy release.
Implementation Method 1
The first damping element is configured and arranged to frictionally engage the outer surface of the first spring with the first helical arc
Implementation Method 2
The first damping element is configured and arranged to compressively engage the outer surface of the first spring with the first helical arc
Implementation Method 3
Springs provide a restoring force when mechanical work elastically deforms the shape of the spring
Implementation Method 4
At least to first order, the kinematics of such springs are adequately approximated as harmonic or sinusoidal motion
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration attenuation system for attenuating a transmission of an input signal is disclosed. The system includes a helical spring, a first terminal, and a first damping element. The helical spring includes a plurality of helical coils, a first end, and a second end. The plurality of helical coils define an inner volume of the helical spring intermediate the first and second ends. The first terminal includes a first inner member. The first terminal is coupled to the first end of the helical spring. The first inner member extends into the inner volume of the helical spring. The first damping element is positioned on the first inner member. The first damping element is within the inner volume of the helical spring. When the input signal is provided to the helical spring, the first damping element engages the helical coils and attenuates the transmission the input signal.