Perimeter Cable Damping System for Building Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building reinforcement methods to resist destructive movements, such as earthquakes and wind storms, often cause significant obstruction in open spaces like garages or windows, hindering their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A damping apparatus is designed with a damper tethered via cables to anchors along a building's perimeter, minimizing obstruction by using a cable-based system that provides extension resistance, allowing for minimal interference with the intended use of the space while effectively resisting structural movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If building structures are reinforced with traditional motion damping apparatus, then resistance to destructive movement is improved, but obstruction in open spaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping system is divided into multiple cable segments (first cable, second cable, third cable, fourth cable) that are distributed around the perimeter of the open space. Each cable is anchored at different locations and connected to dampers, allowing the resistance force to be distributed throughout the structure rather than concentrated in one location, thus minimizing obstruction while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The damping apparatus transitions from a traditional in-space configuration to a perimeter-based configuration. By anchoring cables to the building perimeter and routing them around the open space rather than placing dampers within the open space, the system operates in a different spatial dimension (perimeter vs. interior), thereby maintaining open space functionality while providing motion resistance
2Strength
If traditional dampers are installed within open spaces, then structural protection is improved, but visual and physical obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper components are extracted from the open space interior and relocated to the building perimeter. The cables extend from perimeter anchors to dampers that are positioned outside the open space, effectively removing the physical obstruction from the usable area while maintaining the structural protection function through the cable-damper system
Solution Approach 2:
Cables serve as intermediaries that transmit force from the open space structure to the perimeter-mounted dampers. This intermediary mechanism allows the dampers to be positioned away from the open space while still providing resistance to motion occurring within the open space, thus protecting the structure without occupying usable area
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 effectively reduces visual and physical obstruction, enabling the continued use of spaces like garages or windows while providing robust resistance to destructive movements, thus protecting the building structure without compromising its functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first damper designed for resisting at least one extension force... causing an extension force to be applied to the first damper causing resistance to the relative motion
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides for a method, system and apparatus for resisting and restraining potentially destructive movement within a building structure while introducing little or no obstruction with respect to how a building structure is designed and how it is intended to function.