Patent ID: 7568565
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
1. A method for transferring energy from a structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing an essentially nonlinear spring that has a force-displacement relation that is substantially nonlinearizable wherein the essentially nonlinear spring exerts substantially no force for small displacements wherein the essentially nonlinear spring is formed from a weak linear centering spring centered between strong linear springs; providing a device comprising the essentially nonlinear spring and a mass wherein the essentially nonlinear spring is connected to the mass wherein the strong linear springs are not connected to the mass and the weak linear centering spring is connected to the mass; connecting the device to the structure; pumping the energy from the structure to the device wherein the pumping of the energy to the device is substantially one-way and irreversible wherein a majority of the energy does not return to the structure; and capturing the energy with the device wherein the energy is transferred from the structure to the device at one or more resonant frequencies wherein the essentially nonlinear spring acts as a damper to capture and dissipate the energy.