Pendulum Device Isochronous Oscillation Friction Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pendulum devices fail to maintain isochronous oscillations across varying amplitudes due to mechanical and aerodynamic friction, limiting their kinetic energy and applicability beyond a specific range, and lack efficient friction compensation mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A pendulum device with a rigid arm and a mechanical and aerodynamic friction compensation system that allows continuous oscillation, featuring a gear train or crown-gear system to optimize cycloidal trajectories and balance masses, enabling isochronous motion independent of amplitude and proportional to kinetic energy, with optional intermittent or continuous friction compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid arm conducts a mass along a circular pendulum trajectory, then the oscillation period is determined by gravitational attraction, but mechanical and aerodynamic friction limits kinetic energy and prevents isochronous oscillations across varying amplitudes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisochronism of oscillationsVSAvoidkinetic energy loss to friction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful frictional forces into beneficial acceleration pulses. The friction compensation system detects the mass's position and speed, then applies targeted acceleration pulses that counteract frictional losses. This transforms the energy loss problem into a controlled energy addition mechanism, enabling isochronous oscillations across any amplitude by continuously compensating for frictional kinetic energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system that monitors the mass's oscillation state and adjusts acceleration pulses accordingly. The friction compensation system uses position and velocity sensors to detect the mass's current state, compares it against the desired isochronous trajectory, and applies corrective acceleration pulses. This closed-loop feedback ensures that frictional losses are continuously compensated, maintaining isochronism regardless of amplitude variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If acceleration pulses are applied to compensate friction, then kinetic energy is maintained, but the complexity of the friction compensation system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction compensation efficiencyVSAvoidfriction compensation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic acceleration pulses applied at specific moments during the oscillation cycle. Rather than continuous control, the system applies discrete pulses at predetermined timing intervals when frictional losses are most significant. This periodic action reduces the overall system complexity compared to continuous control, while still effectively compensating for frictional energy losses and maintaining isochronous oscillations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the oscillation amplitude is increased beyond a certain range, then the pendulum can cover larger distances, but the oscillation period becomes proportional to amplitude rather than remaining isochronous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamplitude rangeVSAvoidisochronism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic friction compensation that adapts to varying oscillation amplitudes. The acceleration pulse system adjusts its timing and magnitude based on the current oscillation state, allowing the pendulum to maintain isochronous behavior across any amplitude range. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to handle both small and large amplitudes while preserving the constant period characteristic, thereby increasing adaptability without sacrificing isochronism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device achieves isochronous oscillations across any amplitude, maintaining kinetic energy and allowing for harmonic, linear, or circular motion, with enhanced friction compensation, enabling applications like gravimetry and energy generation.

Implementation Method 1

a mass, oscillating by gravitational effect, along a pendulum trajectory

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational attraction: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

mechanical and aerodynamic friction compensation system, which allows the continuous oscillation of the mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical friction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

mechanical and aerodynamic friction compensation system, which allows the continuous oscillation of the mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic resistance: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP4088162B1Pendulum device
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 BRACCO ANDREA
  • EP4088162B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4088162B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4088162B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Pendulum device comprising at least one oscillating mass (20), at least one proximal arm (1) and at least one first distal arm (13), said proximal arm (1) being fixed to said oscillating mass (20) at one end and being rotatably connected to the distal arm (13) at the other end, so that said oscillating mass (20) can oscillate with respect to said distal arm (13). The distal arm (13) is rotatably fixed to a support element (23) fixed through a fulcrum point (14). Furthermore, transmission means are included between the distal arm (13) and the proximal arm (1), which transmission means are configured so that oscillation of said mass (20) causes the rotation of the distal arm (13) around the fulcrum point (14) and so that at least one point (3) of said proximal arm (1) performs at least a linear translation, said mass (20) performing a cycloidal trajectory.