Adjustable tuned mass damper systems
First Claim
1. A tuned mass damper comprising an inertia element, at least one air spring comprising at least one main air spring and at least one stiffness air spring, at least one control valve, a compressed air supply, a vibrating structure, and a supervisory controller, wherein:
- the control valve is pneumatically coupled to the main air spring, the compressed air supply, and atmosphere, and is operable to adjust a flow of air to and from the main air spring;
the vibrating structure comprises a spring, a damper, a base, and a mass;
the inertia element is configured to be coupled to the mass of the vibrating structure such that the main air spring is positioned between the inertia element and the mass of the vibrating structure;
a mass of the inertia element and a stiffness of the main air spring are selected such that a resonant frequency of the inertia element and the main air spring is substantially equal to an initial vibration frequency of the vibrating structure;
the stiffness air spring is operable to enter an engaged state wherein the stiffness air spring is engaged with the inertia element, and a disengaged state wherein the stiffness air spring is disengaged from the inertia element; and
the supervisory controller is operable to;
dynamically fine-tune a damping level of the main air spring dependent on an acceleration feedback of the mass, relative to the inertia element, and a stiffness level of the main air spring dependent on a velocity feedback of the mass, relative to the inertia element, by applying a drive signal to the control valve;
receive an engagement signal;
engage the stiffness air spring with the inertia element in accordance with the engagement signal;
vary an air pressure in the stiffness air spring to semi-actively adjust a stiffness level of the tuned mass damper in a lateral vibration direction and a main vibration direction in accordance with the engagement signal; and
disengage the stiffness air spring in accordance with the engagement signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Particular embodiments relate generally to vibration isolation systems and tuned mass dampers. In one embodiment, a vibration isolation system may include a supporting base, an isolated mass, at least one air mount, a control valve, a compressed air supply, and a supervisory controller. The air mount is positioned between the isolated mass and the supporting base. The control valve is pneumatically coupled to the air mount, the compressed air supply and the atmosphere, and is operable to adjust a flow of air to and from the air mount. The supervisory controller receives a mass relative height signal, a mass relative velocity signal, and a mass relative acceleration feedback signal corresponding to a relative acceleration of the isolated mass or a pressure of the air mount. The supervisory controller may control the control valve such that a mounting height, a damping and a stiffness level of the air mount are a function of the mass relative height signal, the mass relative velocity signal, the mass relative acceleration feedback signal, or combinations thereof.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A tuned mass damper comprising an inertia element, at least one air spring comprising at least one main air spring and at least one stiffness air spring, at least one control valve, a compressed air supply, a vibrating structure, and a supervisory controller, wherein:
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the control valve is pneumatically coupled to the main air spring, the compressed air supply, and atmosphere, and is operable to adjust a flow of air to and from the main air spring; the vibrating structure comprises a spring, a damper, a base, and a mass; the inertia element is configured to be coupled to the mass of the vibrating structure such that the main air spring is positioned between the inertia element and the mass of the vibrating structure; a mass of the inertia element and a stiffness of the main air spring are selected such that a resonant frequency of the inertia element and the main air spring is substantially equal to an initial vibration frequency of the vibrating structure; the stiffness air spring is operable to enter an engaged state wherein the stiffness air spring is engaged with the inertia element, and a disengaged state wherein the stiffness air spring is disengaged from the inertia element; and the supervisory controller is operable to; dynamically fine-tune a damping level of the main air spring dependent on an acceleration feedback of the mass, relative to the inertia element, and a stiffness level of the main air spring dependent on a velocity feedback of the mass, relative to the inertia element, by applying a drive signal to the control valve; receive an engagement signal; engage the stiffness air spring with the inertia element in accordance with the engagement signal; vary an air pressure in the stiffness air spring to semi-actively adjust a stiffness level of the tuned mass damper in a lateral vibration direction and a main vibration direction in accordance with the engagement signal; and disengage the stiffness air spring in accordance with the engagement signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification