Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/340,251, filed May 23, 2016 (the &#39;251 application). The &#39;251 application is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     a. Technical Field 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to particle dampers and damping systems, including methods and systems involving particle dampers. 
       b. Background Art 
       [0003]    This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspects of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure. 
         [0004]    A device (e.g., an engine) may produce vibration and/or other undesired movements during operation. A particle damper may be configured to be attached to an engine to reduce and/or minimize vibration and/or other undesired movements. Particle dampers may be configured for attachment to an engine such that there is limited clearance with respect to surrounding engine components. Particle dampers may include a vessel containing an energy dissipating material (e.g., loose particles). 
         [0005]    The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate the present field and should not be taken as a disavowal of claim scope. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In an embodiment, an assembly for damping the movement of a device includes a vessel configured to store an energy dissipating material, a seal configured to engage the vessel and/or retain the energy dissipating material within the vessel, the seal including a plate that may be configured to engage the vessel. 
         [0007]    The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from reading the following description and claims, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view generally illustrating an embodiment of a particle damper in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are cross-sectional side views generally illustrating embodiments of a particle damper in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view generally illustrating an embodiment of a vessel in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view generally illustrating an embodiment of a vessel in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view generally illustrating an embodiment of a plate and seal in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view generally illustrating an embodiment of a plate and seal in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the portion of the plate and seal shown in the dashed circle VII in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a plate and seal in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a vessel in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view generally illustrating an embodiment of a vessel in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a side view generally illustrating an embodiment of a vessel in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in  FIG. 10  and generally illustrating an embodiment of a vessel in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Various embodiments are described herein to various apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments, the scope of which is defined solely by the appended claims. 
         [0021]    Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. 
         [0022]    It will be appreciated that for conciseness and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” and “down” may be used herein with respect to the illustrated embodiments. However, the disclosed devices may be used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting or absolute. 
         [0023]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical or similar components in the various views,  FIGS. 1-12  generally illustrate a particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ and related components. In embodiments, particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ may include a vessel  20 ,  20 ′ a vessel flange  50 , a plate  60 , a seal  40 , a seal flange  64 , and/or at least one fastener  70 . In embodiments, vessel  20 ,  20 ′ may be configured to contain one or more damping materials/contents, hereinafter referred to as loose particles  30 ,  30 A,  30 B. In embodiments, seal  40  may be configured to engage and/or seal vessel  20 ,  20 ′ and/or to retain loose particles  30  within vessel  20 ,  20 ′. In embodiments, seal  40  may be configured to engage vessel flange  50  via seal flange  64 . As generally illustrated, for example in  FIGS. 4-8 , seal  40  may include a sealing surface  42  and/or a plate  60  that may be configured to engage at least a portion of vessel  20 . In some embodiments, fastener  70  may secure vessel  20  via vessel flange  50  to seal flange  64  via one or more holes  52  and/or to a device (e.g., an engine). In other embodiments, vessel  20  via vessel flange  50  may be connected to seal flange  64  via mechanical joining techniques (e.g., clinching, press-joining, sonic welding). 
         [0024]      FIGS. 3 and 9  generally illustrate a vessel  20  of a particle damper  10 . Vessel  20  may be constructed of a ductile material (e.g., steel) such that vessel  20  may be formed using suitable techniques (e.g., drawing, stamping). In embodiments, vessel  20  of a particle damper  10  may be constructed of a moldable material (e.g., a polymer and/or composite). In embodiments, vessel  20  may be formed using various suitable techniques (e.g., injection molding). In embodiments, vessel  20  may be configured in shapes that, for example, may conform to intended environment or surroundings (e.g., an engine compartment). In embodiments, vessel  20 ′ may be formed in a complex (e.g., multiple-sided, variable-sided, non-cylindrical) shape, as shown in  FIG. 10 . In embodiments, vessel  20 ,  20 ′ may be configured to avoid and/or minimize contact with portions of a device (e.g., an engine) and/or device components that may be attached to and/or in proximity to the device (e.g., engine-driven accessories, intake/exhaust components, control systems, and/or cooling systems). It should be understood that particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ may be used (e.g., attached) to other devices and/or systems that may experience vibration and/or other undesired movement and that the term “engine” is used herein merely as an example of but one non-limiting application for particle damper  10 ,  10 ′. 
         [0025]    In embodiments, vessel  20 ,  20 ′ may be constructed or formed via a drawn stamping of a ductile material (e.g., steel). In embodiments, the configuration (e.g., size and/or shape) of vessel  20 ,  20 ′ may be affected and/or impacted, at least in part, by the intended installation environment (e.g., surroundings). For example and without limitation, vessel  20 ,  20 ′ may be configured or shaped (e.g., contoured) in a non-cylindrical and/or multi-sided form to facilitate use and/or placement at a desired location and/or orientation. The desired location and/or orientation may be determined using computer analysis (e.g., finite element analysis) and/or testing (e.g., vibration testing). In embodiments, components of particle damper  10 ,  10 ′, such as, but not limited to, vessel flange  50 , may be designed and/or configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to be mounted and/or fit in and/or around adjacent objects, that may, for example, include one or more engine components. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, and 9  generally illustrate a vessel  20  of an embodiment of a particle damper  10  that may include a vessel flange  50 . In embodiments, vessel flange  50  may be formed together with vessel  20 , such as, but not limited to, via a drawing operation. Additionally and/or alternatively, vessel flange  50  may be included in the formation of vessel  20  via other processes (e.g. welding, stamping). In embodiments, vessel flange  50  may include one or more holes  52 . In embodiments, holes  52  may be configured to receive one or more fasteners  70  that may join vessel  20  and/or vessel flange  50  to seal  40  and/or seal flange  64 . In embodiments, holes  52  may permit the use of one or more fasteners  70  (e.g., bolts and nuts, screws). Additionally and/or alternatively, holes  52  may be substituted with (e.g., replaced by) other attachment devices and/or techniques (e.g., welding, riveting, adhesives, clinching, press-joining). In embodiments, vessel flange  50  may also include additional holes  52  that may permit vessel  20  of particle damper  10  to be secured (e.g., affixed to) a surface, such as a surface of an engine. Again, as used herein, the term “engine” refers to not only engines but also to any other parts or components that may reside in or along or may be attached to, for example, an engine, an engine compartment, or a vehicle driveline or compartment. Holes  52  of vessel flange  50  may align with (e.g., correspond to) holes  62  of seal flange  64  (as shown in  FIGS. 2A   2 B,  4 - 8 ,  11 , and  12 ). In embodiments, at least one hole  52  may join vessel flange  50  and seal flange  64  and/or be configured to secure particle damper  10  to a device (e.g., an engine). It should be understood that holes  52  and  62  and/or fasteners  70  may be substituted with, or supplemented by, other suitable connection devices and/or systems, such as, without limitation, adhesives, rivets, and/or welding. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  generally illustrate a vessel  20  of an embodiment of a particle damper  10  that may be configured to receive loose particles  30 . In embodiments, vessel  20  may include and/or be treated with a corrosion-resistant or other coating (not shown but may comprise, e.g., galvanizing or other surface treatment, and/or one or more films or insert) on the inside and/or outside of vessel  20 . In embodiments, the coating may reduce and/or minimize undesired sound(s) that may be produced via the movement of loose particles  30  disposed within vessel  20 . In embodiments, the coating that may reinforce (e.g., strengthen) vessel  20  and/or help it resist wear (e.g., abrasion) that may result from the movement of loose particle  30  disposed within vessel  20 . 
         [0028]    In embodiments, a vessel  20  of a particle damper  10  may include loose particles  30  disposed and/or contained in a vessel  20 . Loose particles  30  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2A ) may, for example, include generally spherical particles, such as, but not limited to, ball bearings. In embodiments, loose particles  30  may be configured in other geometric shapes (e.g., cylinders) and/or randomized shapes (e.g., a mixture of regular and/or irregular shapes). In embodiments, loose particles  30  may be of substantially the same size (e.g., 1.9 mm diameter spheres). In embodiments, loose particles  30  may be more than one size (e.g., 1.9 mm diameter spheres and 2.5 mm diameter spheres). 
         [0029]    In embodiments, a vessel  20  of a particle damper  10  may include loose particles  30  in one or more forms and/or shapes. In an embodiment, particle damper  10  may include loose particles  30 A (e.g., 1.9 mm diameter spheres) and loose particles  30 B (e.g., 2.5 mm diameter spheres) shown in, for example,  FIG. 2B . In an embodiment including loose particles  30 A and  30 B, the respective loose particles  30 A and  30 B may be present in equal amounts within vessel  20 . In another embodiment, loose particles  30 A and  30 B may be present in unequal amounts (e.g., 35% loose particles  30 A, 55% loose particles  30 B, and 10% air “A”). In other embodiments, a vessel  20  of a particle damper  10  may include loose particles in other/different shapes and/or sizes, such as loose particles  30 A (e.g., 1.9 mm diameter spheres) and loose particles  30 B (e.g., 2.5 mm diameter cylinders). In an embodiment including loose particles  30 A and  30 B, the respective loose particles  30 A and  30 B may be present in equal amounts within vessel  20 . In another embodiment, loose particles  30 A and  30 B may be present in unequal amounts (e.g., 40% loose particles  30 A and 60% loose particles  30 B). It should be understood that loose particles  30  may be of more than one shape and/or size. It should also be understood that loose particles  30  may be configured in other ratios. 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, loose particles  30  may be spheres configured of metal (e.g., cast iron, stainless steel), such as, but not limited to, ball bearings. Alternatively, loose particles  30  may be cylinders configured of metal, such as, but not limited to, segments of wire and/or rods. In embodiments, loose particles  30  may, if appropriate, include polymers and/or composites. In embodiments, loose particles  30  may be configured with layers of materials, such as, but not limited to, a metal core coated with a polymer. In embodiments, loose particles  30  may include a mixture of shapes and/or configurations. For example and without limitation, loose particles  30  may include a combination (e.g., ratio) of cast iron spheres to polymer coated cylinders. 
         [0031]    In embodiments, loose particles  30  may fill at least a portion of vessel  20 , such as, for example and without limitation, 90% of the volume of vessel  20 . The remaining portion of vessel  20 , 10% in this example, may include air “A” or some other fluid trapped or sealed (e.g., at atmospheric pressure) within vessel  20  by a seal  40 . In embodiments, another medium may, additionally or alternatively, be included in vessel  20 . For example, an inert gas, such as nitrogen, may be included in vessel  20  along with loose particles  30 . An inert gas may help prevent and/or retard the formation of corrosion (e.g., deterioration) of loose particles  30 . In embodiments, air “A” may be at a pressure higher or lower than atmospheric pressure. 
         [0032]    In embodiments, loose particles  30  may be deposited (e.g., poured) into vessel  20 ,  20 ′. In an embodiment, loose particles  30  may be poured into vessel  20  until the particle damper  10  is functionally full (e.g., no space is essentially remaining in the vessel  20 ). In an embodiment, loose particles  30  may be poured into vessel  20 ,  20 ′ to a point less than full (e.g., 90% full, 50% full) (as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , and  FIG. 12 , respectively). In embodiments, a mixture of at least two types (e.g., shapes) of loose particles  30  may be poured into vessel  20 . In embodiments, loose particles  30  may include a liquid/loose particle mixture (e.g., slurry). In embodiments, loose particles  30  may comprise a semi-solid material. It should be understood that loose particles  30  may include other mixtures and/or types of material, including liquids, pastes, solutions, suspended particles, colloid mixtures. The examples described herein are merely exemplary and not limiting. In embodiments, loose particles  30  may be a homogeneous or heterogeneous mixture, or a mixture of the two thereof. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4-8, and 12  generally illustrate a seal  40  for an embodiment of particle damper  10 ,  10 ′. In embodiments, seal  40  may be configured in a rubber material (e.g., ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)) and/or natural rubber compounds, or a mixture thereof. In embodiments, seal  40  may be formed (e.g., over-molded) with a seal plate  60  and/or a seal flange  64 . In embodiments, seal flange  64  may include one or more holes  62 . In embodiments, seal flange  64  may include one or more holes  62  that may generally correspond to (e.g., align with) one or more corresponding holes  52  in vessel flange  50 . Additionally and/or alternatively, seal plate  60  may include one or more holes  62  that may not correspond to one or more holes  52  in vessel flange  50 . In embodiments, one or more holes  62  of seal flange  64  may be used at least in part to secure particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ to a device (e.g., an engine). 
         [0034]    In embodiments, seal  40  of particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ may include a sealing surface  42  (as shown in  FIG. 6 , denoted by circle VII, and enlarged in  FIG. 7 ). In embodiments, sealing surface  42  may be configured to seal against (e.g., engage) an interior surface of a vessel  20 ,  20 ′. In embodiments, sealing surface  42  may be configured to deform and/or deflect against at least the interior surface of vessel  20 ,  20 ′ (as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , and  FIG. 12 ), such that seal  40  and/or sealing surface  42  may prevent loose particles  30  from escaping vessel  20 ,  20 ′ despite irregularities (e.g., manufacturing variations or fluctuations) associated with a vessel  20 ,  20 ′. In embodiments, seal  40  may include an adhesive (e.g., sealant) that may be applied to engage vessel  20 . In embodiments, an adhesive may, in some instances, assist seal  40  and/or sealing surface  42  in preventing loose particles  30  from escaping vessel  20  despite irregularities (e.g., manufacturing variations and/or fluctuations) associated with vessel  20 . 
         [0035]    In embodiments, a particle damper  10  may include a seal  40 . In embodiments, seal  40  may be comprised of a rubber, such as EPDM rubber and/or a natural rubber material, or a mixture thereof. In embodiments, seal  40  may be formed using a molding apparatus (e.g., injection molding apparatus). In embodiments, seal  40  may be formed using a die cutting or other suitable apparatus. In embodiments, seal  40  may include a plate  60 . In embodiments, plate  60  may be over-molded by seal  40  such that plate  60  is at least partially covered by (e.g., integrated with) seal  40 . In embodiments, seal  40  may include (e.g., be integrated with) a seal flange  64 . In embodiments, seal flange  64  may include one or more holes  62 . As detailed above, seal flange  64  may include one or more holes  62  that may generally correspond to (e.g., align with) one or more corresponding holes  52  in vessel flange  50 . Additionally and/or alternatively, seal plate  60  may include one or more holes  62  that may not correspond to one or more holes  52  in vessel flange  50 . In embodiments, seal  40  may be configured to engage vessel  20 ,  20 ′ and/or vessel flange  50  via sealing surface  42  and/or seal flange  64 . 
         [0036]    The disclosure envisions and includes methods and methodologies that can permit a manufacturer of particle damper  10  to create an almost limitless number of configurations and/or geometries of particle damper  10 . For example and without limitation, a particle damper  10  (including vessel  20  and seal  40 ) may be designed/configured to clear or “fit” within an engine compartment or various other environments in which a particle damper  10  may be utilized. Moreover, the use of a seal  40  comprising a rubber (or rubber-like) mold bonded sealing system, such as disclosed herein, can help account for, or “take up,” manufacturing variations associated with components of particle damper  10 , while also providing a seal  40  from fluids or other materials that might corrode and/or otherwise detrimentally affect loose particles  30  inside a particle damper  10 . In an embodiment of the method/system, an environment (e.g., an engine compartment) may be identified and the relevant data and dimensions can be obtained. A particle damper  10 ′—which may have a non-standard (e.g., non-cylindrical) configuration—may be designed to be operationally disposed in the intended environment (as shown in  FIG. 10 ). The vessel  20 ,  20 ′ (including vessel flange  50 ) and seal  40  (including plate  60  and seal flange  64 ) may then be formed/produced (e.g., from drawn steel and mold bonded rubber, respectively) to fit the intended environment. Loose particles  30  may be added to the particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ and the particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ may be sealed and placed (e.g., installed) into the intended environment. 
         [0037]    There are conventional applications for embodiments of particle damper  10 ,  10 ′. However, an unusual (e.g., non-cylindrical) shape may require the machining (e.g., manufacturing) of components of particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ such as vessel flange  50  and/or seal flange  64  that may have perfectly flat interfaces to seal loose particles  30  within vessel  20 ,  20 ′ of particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ and keep undesirable elements out of vessel  20 ,  20 ′ of particle damper  10 ,  10 ′. The present disclosure provides a system and method for forming simple shaped and/or complex (e.g., asymmetrical) particle damper  10 ,  10 ′ and its components as detailed herein, but without necessarily requiring the time and/or expense of machining and/or manufacturing that might otherwise be employed. 
         [0038]    Although only certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. All directional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of embodiments. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0039]    Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material. 
         [0040]    While one or more particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

Technology Category: 2