Patent ID: 6298963
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
A device for effectuating passive vibration damping of a structure which is subject to excitation by a source, said structure having a structure surface, said device comprising a viscoelastic layer and a nonviscoelastic hollow member and granular material, said hollow member having a hollow and an inside member surface and an outside member surface, said inside member surface facing generally inwardly and said outside member surface facing generally outwardly, said inside member surface inwardly demarcating said hollow member and outwardly demarcating said hollow, said outside member surface outwardly demarcating said hollow member, said hollow member including an at least substantially metallic member portion having on approximately opposite sides an inside portion surface and an outside portion surface, said outside member surface including said outside portion surface, said inside member surface including said inside portion surface, said viscoelastic layer having on approximately opposite sides a first viscoelastic surface and a second viscoelastic surface, said granular material comprising plural granules, said viscoelastic layer adjoining said hollow member whereby said outside portion surface is at least substantially adjacent said second viscoelastic surface, said granular material at least substantially filling said hollow, said inside portion surface touching some said granules, said granules being generally contiguous with respect to each other, said device being adaptable to attachment to said structure wherein said viscoelastic layer adjoins said structure whereby said first viscoelastic surface is at least substantially adjacent said structure surface, said viscoelastic layer thereby being situated between said structure and said hollow member.