Patent ID: 9004246
Filing Date: 2015-04-14
Classification: E04H,F03D,F05B,F16F,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A system for damping oscillations in a structure, comprising: one or more sensors for receiving input usable for determining the frequency and the amplitude of the oscillations in the structure; a first mass rotatable in a first direction of rotation about a first axis of rotation transverse to the direction of the oscillations, the first mass having a first controllable moment of inertia about the first axis of rotation, wherein the first mass is configured such that the first moment of inertia may be held constant during rotation of the first mass about the first axis of rotation; a second mass rotatable in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation about a second axis of rotation, the second mass having a second controllable moment of inertia about the second axis of rotation, wherein the second mass is configured such that the second moment of inertia may be held constant during rotation of the second mass about the second axis of rotation; and a controller that controls the first and second moments of inertia in response to the input received by the one or more sensors and controls the first and second masses to rotate at the detected frequency and at respective phases such as to dampen the oscillations when the system is secured to the structure; wherein when damping linear oscillations in the structure the controller provides the first and second masses with equal moments of inertia about the first and second axes of rotation, and when damping non-linear oscillations in the structure the controller provides the first and second masses with unequal moments of inertia about the first and second axes of rotation.