Patent GB-771826-A (GB)
Title: Self tuning vibration absorber
IPC: F16F7/104
Filed: 1955-12-30
Abstract: 771,826. Vibration dampers. LORD MANUFACTURING CO. Dec. 30, 1955 [Jan. 17, 1955], No. 37399/55. Class 108(3). A vibration absorber tunable to absorb vibrations of varying frequencies comprises a support 3b, Figs. 8, 9, a vibration absorber mass 5b, the movement of which is restrained by a spring 4b, adjusting means for tuning the natural frequency of the spring 4b and the mass 5b throughout the range of frequencies of the vibration to be absorbed, actuating means for the adjusting means positioned so as not to interfere with the vibration of the absorber mass, and an external control for the actuating means. In Fig. 9, the mass 5b is mounted in bearings 15, 15, for rotation relative to a cage 16. The latter is mounted on rollers 19 for movement relative to guide tracks 17 which extend in the direction (see arrow 2) of the vibrations to be absorbed. Rotation of the mass 5b results in displacement of a nut 14 which has a bearing point 3 on the spring 4b. This results in variation of the natural frequency of the spring 4b and mass 5b, due to variation in the effective length of the spring 4b. Rotation of the mass 5b is brought about by periodic pulsing outwards of a flexible diaphragm 11b into contact with the periphery of the mass 5b, by the vibratory movement of the mercury in a tube 8b in communication with the chamber which is closed by the diaphragm 11b. The arrangement is such that the vibrations to be absorbed cause vibration of mercury in the tube 8b, which result in the diaphragm 11b being pulsed into contact with the periphery of the mass 5b, when it is moving in one or other of the directions of vibration relative to the guide tracks 17. The effect is such that the nut 14 is always rotated in a direction tending to bring the spring 4b and mass 5b into resonance with the vibrations to be absorbed. In a simpler modification of this construction, Fig. 3, (not shown), the bearings 15, 19, and the cage 16 are dispensed with, and the mass 5b is mounted with a threaded connection directly on to the spring 4b. In the construction shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the vibration absorber spring comprises a leaf spring 4c of double-tapered configuration when viewed in plan. Its effective length is determined by two pairs of rollers 44 (one pair only, disclosed by the sectioning of Fig. 13). Each pair of rollers 44 is carried by a respective ferrule 43 which is threadedly mounted in an internally threaded barrel 24, rotatably mounted by bearings 23 in the vibration absorber mass 22. The latter is mounted for vertical movement by rollers (not shown) and guide tracks 25. The mass 22 is in two parts 22, 22<SP>1</SP>, connected together by a rod 31, which is supported by an arm 33, Fig. 15 (not shown). The latter prevents rotation of the masses 22, 22<SP>1</SP>. Springs 40 having a natural frequency well below the tuning range of the vibration absorber, provide further support for the masses 22, 22<SP>1</SP>. A tuning mass 21c, Fig. 14, is mounted for vertical movement by a parallelogram linkage 47, 48 and is supported by a spring 46 having a natural frequency much lower than the frequency of the vibrations to be absorbed. A friction slide 54 is urged by a spring 58 into frictional engagement with a guide way 57 formed in the mass 21c. The slide 54 has a pin and slot connection 55 with a bell crank 56, 43a, pivotally mounted at 45a on the frame 41 of the vibration absorber. The arm 43a of the bell crank, carries a pad 42a which is adapted to engage on rotation of the bell crank, a friction disc 36 carried by a disc 35 rigid with the barrel 24. Thus upward movements in the vibration of the tuning mass 21c result in periodic engagement of the pad 42a with the friction disc 36. This results in rotation of the barrel 24 in one direction or the other, according to whether the mass 22, 22<SP>1</SP> in its vibration, is moving upwardly or downwardly relative to the guide tracks 25 at the instant of engagement of the part 42a with the disc 36. The result is to displace the ferrules 43 in one direction or another, to a position in which the spring 4c and mass 22, 22<SP>1</SP>, are brought into resonance with the vibrations to be absorbed. The tension of the spring 58 may be regulated by means of a screw 59, and the downward travel of the arm 56 of the bell crank may be limited by means of an eccentric pin 57a. In a modification of this construction, Figs. 20, 21 (not shown), the bell crank 56, 43a and disc 36 are replaced by electrical means. Upward movement of the mass 21c causes closure of a switch in the supply circuit to a reversible electric motor which is mounted on the mass 22 and is in toothed-wheel engagement with the disc 35. The reversing switch mounted on the mass 22 results in reversing the direction of the motor according to whether the mass 22 is moving upwardly or downwardly. In a further construction, part of which is shown in Fig. 18, the tuning is brought about by a variation in the effective size of the absorber mass 5d. Auxiliary masses M, M, are carried by arms 80, 80, pivotally connected to a disc 79 which is rotatably mounted relative to the mass 5d. The arms 80, 80, are supported by respective pairs of springs 80a, of a relatively low natural frequency. The direction of the vibrations to be absorbed is indicated by the arrow 2. When the masses M, M, are in the position shown in full lines, they thus augment the effect of the mass 5d. When the auxiliary masses are turned into the position shown in dotted lines, they are virtually inoperative. The invention is applicable to the prevention of engine vibrations, the flutter of aircraft surfaces and fuselage vibration, rotor induced vibration in helicopters, vibrations of looms, and vibrations of structural sections of buildings or vehicles.