Patent ID: 6134964
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B06B,F16F,G10K

Abstract:
A mechanical resonator with a variable resonance frequency, comprising:a spring member rigidly supported at a first location;an inertial mass coupled to said spring member;an electromechanical converter coupled to at least one of said spring member and said inertial mass, at a second location that is located on said spring member between said first location and said inertial mass or on said inertial mass;at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of displacement sensors and acceleration sensors coupled to at least one of said spring member and said inertial mass and adapted to sense, and provide a sensor output signal dependent on, at least one of a displacement and an acceleration of said at least one of said spring member and said inertial mass;an electronic control unit; andrespective electrical conductors connecting said at least one sensor to said electronic control unit and connecting said electronic control unit to said electromechanical converter;wherein said electronic control unit is adapted to provide to said electromechanical converter an actuation signal that is dependent on said sensor output signal; andwherein said electromechanical converter is adapted to exert a force, responsively to said actuation signal, at said second location onto said at least one of said spring member and said inertial mass to which said electromechanical converter is coupled, so as to vary a resonant frequency of a combination of said inertial mass coupled to said spring member.