Active vibration control device
AssigneeUniversity of Kentucky Research Foundation
InventorsKeith E. Rouch, Sanjiv Tewani, Bruce L. Walcott, Ted R. Massa, Robert W. Stephenson, L. Scott Stephens
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Abstract
An active vibration control device for controlling vibration in a cantilevered member and a method for the same are disclosed. The device is comprised of a cantilevered member having a longitudinal axis comprising a sensor mounted near the free end of the member to measure motion of the member in a transverse direction and to produce a corresponding signal. A force generating assembly is mounted to the member near the free end to oppose the measured motion with a force thereby minimizing subsequent motion along the transverse axis caused by vibration.
Claims48
Apparatus for actively controlling vibration in a cantilevered member having a longitudinal axis comprising:
- a) a sensor mounted near the free end of the member to measure motion of the member in a transverse direction and to produce a corresponding signal;
- b) a force generating assembly mounted to the member near the free end to oppose the measured motion with a force thereby minimizing subsequent motion along the transverse axis caused by vibration, said assembly comprised of:
- i) a solid mass attached to the member near the free end and displaceable from an initial position such that when displaced the resulting acceleration of the mass generates a force upon the member;
- ii) an actuator to act upon and displace the mass from the initial position;
- iii) means for receiving and interpreting the sensor signal and activating the actuator to displace the mass at an acceleration which is a function of the sensor signal;
- and
- iv) means for returning the mass toward the initial position.
A method for actively controlling vibration in a cantilevered member having a longitudinal axis comprising the steps of:
- a) sensing motion in a transverse direction near the free end of the member and producing a corresponding signal;
- b) generating a force along the transverse axis near the free end to oppose the measured motion, wherein generating a force comprises the steps of:
- i) attaching a mass to the member near the free end, said mass being displaceable along the transverse axis from an initial position such that when displaced the resulting acceleration of the mass generates a force upon the member;
- ii) receiving and interpreting the corresponding signal;
- iii) displacing the mass a desired amount at a desired rate;
- and
- iv) returning the mass toward the initial position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.