Adaptive Piezoelectric Beam Absorber for Flexural Wave Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for absorbing flexural waves in mechanical structures, such as beams, are non-adaptive and often require additional mass or reduced stiffness, limiting their effectiveness across various frequency domains.
Innovation Solution
A self-adaptive flexural wave absorbing system that includes a controller, memory, piezoelectric stack, and tip mass, which adjusts the spring constant of the system based on the frequency response of the flexural wave, allowing for adaptive absorption across a wide frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If highly dissipative materials such as polymeric foams or elastomers are used to absorb flexural waves, then wave absorption capability is improved, but the bending stiffness of the structure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses piezoelectric materials whose mechanical properties (stiffness, damping) can be dynamically changed by applying voltage. This allows the structure to adjust its parameters in real-time to absorb flexural waves effectively without permanently compromising bending stiffness, resolving the contradiction between wave absorption and structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional passive mechanical damping materials with an active piezoelectric-based system that uses electrical fields to control mechanical behavior. This substitution enables dynamic adjustment of damping properties without the permanent stiffness reduction associated with passive dissipative materials
2Loss of energy
If highly dissipative materials are used to absorb flexural waves, then wave absorption capability is improved, but additional mass is added to the structure
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the electrical state of piezoelectric materials, the system achieves variable damping properties without adding significant mass. The piezoelectric elements can be integrated into the existing structure, providing wave absorption capability through material property modification rather than adding heavy dissipative materials
3Reliability
If traditional dampening materials are used, then wave absorption works across a narrow frequency range, but the system lacks adaptability to different frequency domains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where piezoelectric materials can change their mechanical properties in real-time based on the frequency characteristics of incoming flexural waves. This dynamic adaptability allows the structure to maintain effective wave absorption across a wide frequency range, unlike static traditional materials
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the frequency response of flexural waves and feeds this information back to the controller, which then adjusts the voltage applied to piezoelectric actuators accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to different frequency domains and maintain optimal wave absorption performance
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 absorbs flexural waves by dynamically adjusting the spring constant to match the frequency response, enhancing wave absorption capabilities across a broader frequency spectrum compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric stack electrically connected to the controller... The piezoelectric stack is configured to be connected to a beam and has a damping value representing the damping of the piezoelectric stack and a variable spring value that varies based on a voltage applied to the piezoelectric stack
Data Source
AI summary
A system and related method can self-adaptively absorb a flexural wave acting on a beam. The method includes the steps of receiving an input signal representing a frequency response of a flexural wave acting on the beam, determining a spring constant for absorbing the flexural wave based on the input signal, a damping value of a damper acting on the beam, and a mass value of a mass acting on the beam, and applying a spring constant voltage based on the spring constant to a piezoelectric device connected to the beam. The piezoelectric device has a variable spring value that varies based on the voltage applied to the piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device's variable spring value is approximately equal to the spring constant value when the spring constant voltage is applied to the piezoelectric device.