Patent ID: 8567753

Claim:
A method of tuning a valve assembly, wherein said valve assembly comprises a valve body, an adjustable preload flange, and a viscoelastic element, said valve body comprising a peripheral groove spaced apart from a central longitudinal guide stem by a reservoir; wherein said viscoelastic element comprises a reservoir portion disposed in said reservoir, coupled to a groove portion disposed in said peripheral groove, said groove portion comprising at least one circumferential tubular area; wherein said adjustable preload flange applies annular constraint on said viscoelastic element reservoir portion; wherein the method comprises the steps of: adjusting said preload flange to achieve a first assembly predetermined resonant frequency substantially replicating a measured resonant frequency; and substantially filling said circumferential tubular area with at least one shear-thickening material having a second predetermined assembly resonant frequency; wherein said first and second predetermined assembly resonant frequencies are different; and wherein said adjusting of the preload flange and said filling of said circumferential tubular area attenuates valve assembly generated vibrations.