Method and apparatus for controlling an elastomeric damper
AssigneeAirbus Operations GmbH
InventorsColin John WEST, David Alistair Sutton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of controlling an elastomeric damper. The damper is heated by passing an electric current through the damper or through a heating element in contact with the damper said heating causing a decrease in stiffness of the damper. The elastomeric damper may comprise an elastomeric material filled with electrically conductive particles, and the damper may be heated by passing an electric current through the elastomeric material. Alternatively the damper may be heated using a discrete resistive heating element, such as a coil embedded within the elastomeric damper or wound around it.
Claims13
A method of controlling an elastomeric damper, the method comprising heating the damper by passing an electric current through the damper or through a heating element in contact with the damper, said heating causing a decrease in stiffness of the damper.
Vibration damping apparatus comprising an elastomeric damper;
- and a temperature control system configured to heat the damper by passing an electric current through the damper or a heating element in contact with the damper, said heating causing a decrease in stiffness of the damper.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.