Method and apparatus for minimizing multiple degree of freedom vibration transmission between two regions of a structure
First Claim
1. A vibration transmission control apparatus for a structure comprising a first region subject to an input vibration and a second region mechanically connected to the first region, the apparatus comprising:
- an array of actuators located at the first region of the structure for generating a desired combination of flexural, extensional, and torsional waves in the first region;
an array of sensors located at the structure which are sensitive to any combination of flexural, extensional, and torsional vibrational waves present in the structure, such that an error function is derived which is related to a vibrational power flow from the first region to the second region; and
a controller for powering the actuators and adjusting the amplitude and phase inputs of the actuators such that the error function is minimized, whereby the vibrational power flow into the second region is minimized.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Arrays of actuators are affixed to structural elements to impede the transmission of vibrational energy. A single pair is used to provide control of bending and extensional waves and two pairs are used to control torsional motion in addition to these two types of wave motion. The arrays are applied to a wide variety of structural elements such as a beam structure that is part of larger framework that may or may not support a rigid or non-rigid skin. Electrical excitation is applied to the actuators that generate forces on the structure. These electrical inputs may be adjusted in their amplitude and phase by a controller in communication with appropriate vibrational wave sensors to impede the flow of vibrational power in all of the above mentioned wave forms beyond the actuator location. Additional sensor elements can be used to monitor the performance and adjust the electrical inputs to maximize the attenuation of vibrational energy.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A vibration transmission control apparatus for a structure comprising a first region subject to an input vibration and a second region mechanically connected to the first region, the apparatus comprising:
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an array of actuators located at the first region of the structure for generating a desired combination of flexural, extensional, and torsional waves in the first region; an array of sensors located at the structure which are sensitive to any combination of flexural, extensional, and torsional vibrational waves present in the structure, such that an error function is derived which is related to a vibrational power flow from the first region to the second region; and a controller for powering the actuators and adjusting the amplitude and phase inputs of the actuators such that the error function is minimized, whereby the vibrational power flow into the second region is minimized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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11. A method of controlling vibration transmission in a structure comprising a first region subject to an input vibration and a second region mechanically connected to the first region, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing any combination of flexural, extensional and torsional waves present in the structure; deriving an error function from the sensed presence which is related to a vibrational power flow into the second region from the first region; controlling an array of actuators to generate a desired combination of flexural, extensional, and torsional waves in the first region such that the error function is minimized, whereby the vibrational power flow into the second region is minimized. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification