Patent ID: 7240777

Claim:
A constrained layer damping assembly for a rigid base member extending along a reference axis and having a lateral surface aligned with said reference axis, wherein said lateral surface exhibits vibratory motion when said base member is driven by externally applied forces, comprising: A. a substantially gas impervious damping layer disposed on at least a portion of said lateral surface, wherein said damping layer is characterized by a relatively high loss factor; B. a load element disposed on said damping layer, said load element having a first surface facing last said surface; and C. means for positioning said load element with respect to said lateral surface whereby said damping layer is under compression, wherein said positioning means includes at least one void region in said damping layer extending from said lateral surface to said first surface of said load element, and includes means for coupling a low pressure to said void region relative to the pressure external to said constrained layer damping assembly to establish a pressure differential across said load element and effect said positioning of said load element with respect to said lateral surface, whereby said damping layer is under compression.