Passive variable negative stiffness device and methods of use thereof
AssigneeOhio University
InventorKenneth K. Walsh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A passive variable negative stiffness device (passive VNSD) configured to facilitate a transition to zero stiffness by using elastic devices (e.g., springs) combined with translating and rotating components. An exemplary embodiment of a passive VNSD may comprise at least one pretensioned and/or precompressed elastic device to produce the desired force-displacement profiles. For instance, an exemplary embodiment of a passive VNSD may be adapted to produce force-displacement profiles that transition from zero stiffness, to negative stiffness, and then to positive stiffness (ZNP) and from zero stiffness, to negative stiffness, and then back to zero stiffness (ZNZ).
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a translation component;
- a first pair of discs in association with said translation component, said first pair of discs comprised of a first disc that is associated with a second disc, said first pair of discs further comprising a first elastic device that extends between said first disc and said second disc;
- and
- a second pair of discs in association with said translation component, said second pair of discs comprised of a third disc that is associated with a fourth disc, said second pair of discs further comprising a second elastic device that extends between said third disc and said fourth disc;
- wherein said first pair of discs is adapted to create forces in response to translation of said translation component such that said forces are transferred to said translation component to induce a negative stiffness;
- and
- wherein said second pair of discs is adapted to create forces in response to translation of said translation component such that said forces are transferred to said translation component to induce a combination of negative stiffness and positive stiffness.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.