Pre-Pressed Ring Spring Viscous Damper for Complete Self-Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-centering structures face challenges in achieving complete self-centering and efficient energy dissipation, especially when retrofitted into existing buildings, due to complex construction requirements and insufficient energy dissipation at low speeds.
Innovation Solution
A self-centering viscous damper with pre-pressed ring springs, featuring an outer cylinder, inner cylinders, piston rod, and ring springs with pre-applied pressure, which allows for both viscous and frictional energy dissipation and complete self-centering through pre-loaded ring springs that overcome frictional and restoring forces, enabling the damper to return to its initial equilibrium position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-stress and friction members are added to achieve self-centering ability, then self-centering performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the self-centering function and energy dissipation function into a single integrated damper system. The ring springs provide both the pre-stress for self-centering and frictional energy dissipation, while the viscous fluid provides additional energy dissipation. This merging eliminates the need for separate friction members and simplifies the overall structure, directly resolving the contradiction between self-centering ability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring springs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide pre-stress for self-centering, generate frictional energy dissipation, and act as mechanical elements for force transmission. The viscous fluid in the piston-cylinder system provides additional energy dissipation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the device while maintaining both self-centering ability and energy dissipation performance.
2Loss of energy
If conventional viscous dampers are used, then energy dissipation is provided, but self-centering ability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges frictional energy dissipation from ring springs with viscous energy dissipation from the fluid in a single system. The ring springs generate frictional resistance during deformation, while the viscous fluid provides speed-dependent damping. This combination achieves both adequate energy dissipation and self-centering ability, resolving the contradiction between these two performance requirements.
3Loss of energy
If friction members are added to increase energy dissipation, then energy dissipation capacity is improved, but device complexity and construction difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the frictional energy dissipation mechanism into the ring springs that are already part of the damper's self-centering system. The ring springs generate frictional resistance during compression and extension, providing energy dissipation without requiring separate friction members. This integration eliminates additional construction steps and simplifies the overall device while maintaining energy dissipation capacity.
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 damper effectively dissipates seismic energy and achieves complete self-centering by converting vibration energy into heat and utilizing frictional forces independent of speed, improving the resilience of structures during earthquakes.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing frictional forces independent of speed
Implementation Method 2
pre-loaded ring springs that overcome frictional and restoring forces
Implementation Method 3
converting vibration energy into heat
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a self-centering viscous damper with pre-pressed ring springs. The self-centering viscous damper with pre-pressed ring springs comprises a first inner cylinder, a second inner cylinder, a third inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, a first end cover, a second end cover, a piston, a piston rod, a ring spring, a first connector, a second connector, a first linking nut, a second linking nut, a first outer cover, a second outer cover, a first end and a second end. Due to the interaction between the inner and outer cylinders, the ring springs are further pressed whether a damper is tensioned or pressed. The ring springs have been applied with pre-pressure which overcomes a frictional force and a restoring force when the ring springs are in an initial equilibrium position.