# US 11,028,898 B2 · Couplings that actively stabilize vibrations > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,898 B2 - Document ID: US11028898B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/245,972 - Filed: 2019-01-11 - Published: 2020-07-16 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-01-11 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: John D. Sailing, Sr.; Jonathan Y. Ahn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028898B2 ## CPC - F16F 15/005: {using electro- or magnetostrictive actuation means (generating of mechanical vibrations operating with electrostriction B06B1/06, with magnetostriction B06B1/08; vehicle suspension arrangements characterised by use of piezoelectric elements B60G17/01941; piezoelectric, electrostrictive and magnetostrictive devices per se H10N30/00)} - F16F 15/1485: {the rotation being unlimited with respect to driving means (with a fluid connection between inertia member and rotating driving means F16F15/167)} - B25J 9/1641: {compensation for backlash, friction, compliance, elasticity in the joints} - B25J 19/00: Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewing; Safety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators (safety-devices in general F16P; protection against radiation in general G21F) - B64C 17/00: Aircraft stabilisation not otherwise provided for - B64F 5/10: Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor - F16F 7/1005: {characterised by active control of the mass} - F16F 15/002: {characterised by the control method or circuitry (control of mechanical oscillations per se G05D19/00)} - F16F 15/18: using electric, {magnetic or electromagnetic} means ({suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of non-rotating magnetic or electromagnetic means F16F15/03;} dynamo-electric devices H02K; {control effected upon generator excitation circuit to reduce harmful effects of overloads or transients H02P9/10}) - F16F 15/30: Flywheels (F16F15/16, F16F15/28 take precedence; suppression of vibrations in rotating systems using elastic members or friction-damping members moving with the system, {i.e. split flywheels or single masses connected to a hub by elastic members or friction-damping members} F16F15/12; rotary-body aspects in general F16C13/00, F16C15/00) - G01H 11/08: using piezoelectric devices - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - B25J: MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES ({manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; manipulators used in cleaning hollow articles B08B9/04}; manipulators associated with rolling mills B21B39/20; manipulators associated with forging machines B21J13/10; {manipulators associated with picking-up and placing mechanisms B23P19/007}; means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00; {vehicles with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members B62D57/02, B62D57/032; devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials between conveyors B65G47/90, B65G47/91; manipulators with gripping or holding means for transferring packages B65H67/065}; cranes B66C; {manipulators used in the protection or supervision of pipe-line installations F17D5/00; walking equipment adapted for nuclear steam-generators F22B37/006}; manipulators specially adapted for, or associated with, nuclear reactors G21C; {apparatus used for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor H10P72/50}) - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01H: MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided for active vibration damping. One embodiment is a method for damping vibration in a mechanical system. The method includes detecting a vibration at a coupling of the mechanical system, generating a countervibration based on the detected vibration, and operating the mechanical system while generating the countervibration. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for damping vibration in a mechanical system, the method comprising: detecting a vibration at a coupling of the mechanical system, by detecting changes in resistance at piezoelectric sensors disposed at the coupling; generating a countervibration based on the detected vibration via a flywheel disposed at the coupling, by applying pulsed magnetic forces to the flywheel; and operating the mechanical system while generating the countervibration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a magnitude and a frequency of the vibration at the coupling, wherein generating the countervibration comprises driving vibration engines at the coupling based on the magnitude and the frequency of the detected vibration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein: driving the vibration engines comprises selectively rotating flywheels that are disposed at different angular positions along a ring within the coupling. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein: determining the magnitude and the frequency of the vibration comprises: calculating the magnitude and the frequency based on the changes in resistance over time. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 further comprising: driving the vibration engines prior to detecting the vibration to generate complementary vibrations that combine at the coupling without displacing the coupling. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein: the magnetic forces are applied to a magnetic portion of the flywheel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein: the magnetic forces are applied intermittently to the flywheel to generate the countervibration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein: as the flywheel spins, it generates oscillating forces in a direction. ### Claim 9 A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for performing a method for damping vibration in a mechanical system, the method comprising detecting a vibration at a coupling of the mechanical system, by detecting changes in resistance at piezoelectric sensors disposed at the coupling; generating a countervibration based on the detected vibration via a flywheel disposed at the coupling, by applying pulsed magnetic forces to the flywheel; and operating the mechanical system while generating the countervibration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The medium of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises: determining a magnitude and a frequency of the vibration at the coupling, wherein generating the countervibration comprises driving vibration engines at the coupling based on the magnitude and the frequency of the detected vibration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The medium of claim 10 wherein: driving the vibration engines comprises selectively rotating flywheels that are disposed at different angular positions along a ring within the coupling. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The medium of claim 10 wherein: determining the magnitude and the frequency of the vibration comprises: calculating the magnitude and the frequency based on the changes in resistance over time. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The medium of claim 10 wherein the method further comprises: driving the vibration engines prior to detecting the vibration to generate complementary vibrations that combine at the coupling without displacing the coupling. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The medium of claim 9 wherein: the magnetic forces are applied to a magnetic portion of the flywheel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The medium of claim 9 wherein: the magnetic forces are applied intermittently to the flywheel to generate the countervibration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The medium of claim 9 wherein: as the flywheel spins, it generates oscillating forces in a direction. ### Claim 17 An apparatus for damping vibration in a mechanical system, the apparatus comprising: a coupling comprising: vibration detection sensors at the coupling; vibration engines at the coupling that comprise flywheels that are eccentric; and a controller that is coupled for communication with the vibration sensors and the vibration engines, and is configured to determine a magnitude and a frequency of a vibration detected by the vibration detection sensors, and to direct the vibration engines to generate a countervibration based on the magnitude and the frequency, wherein: generating the countervibration comprises applying pulsed magnetic forces to at least one of the flywheels. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the vibration engines are arranged in multiple rings, each ring including vibration engines disposed at different angular positions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising: pulse generators that each apply magnetic forces to a different vibration engine, and magnetic shielding that isolates each vibration engine and corresponding pulse generator from other vibration engines and pulse generators. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the vibration detectors comprise piezoelectric sensors.