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US 5,398,462 AGranted
Actively controlled structure and method
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsAndrew A. Berlin, Gerald J. Sussman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and method for increasing the compressive strength of a beam loaded in compression. A sensor is responsive to shape changes of the loaded beam, and an actuator responsive to the sensor is constructed to apply a force to counteract the bending of the beam.
Claims11
Apparatus for inhibiting buckling of a beam loaded in compression, comprising:
- a sensor responsive to shape changes of a beam due to an axial compressive load on the beam capable of causing the beam to buckle,
- a yard coupled to the beam, and
- an actuator for applying, in response to an indication from said sensor, a force to said yard to counteract shape changes of the beam due to the axial compressive load, thereby inhibiting buckling of the beam.
A beam comprising:
- a beam member having first and second beam ends, said beam being loaded in compression due to a force that loads said beam past the point where buckling would occur without compensation, the force being applied at each of said beam ends,
- a sensor mounted to said beam at a position along said beam between said ends, said sensor being responsive to bending of said beam,
- a yard having first and second yard ends, said yard being attached between said first and second yard ends to said beam at a location proximate said sensor,
- a tendon anchored at said first end of said beam and engaging said first and second yard ends, and
- a motive element engaging said tendon and being responsive to said sensor to adjust tension in said tendon to apply a force to counteract bending of said beam in response to an indication from said sensor.
2 more elements
A method of inhibiting buckling of a beam loaded in compression, comprising:
- detecting deformations of a beam due to an axial compressive load capable of causing the beam to buckle, and
- moving a reaction mass, which is mounted movably with respect to the beam, in response to the detection of deformations thereby applying a force to the beam to counteract the detected deformations and inhibit buckling of the beam.
Apparatus for inhibiting buckling, comprising:
- a beam loaded in compression by an axial force that is capable of causing the beam to buckle;
- a piezoelectric sensor coupled to the beam and responsive to shape changes of the beam due to the axial force loading the beam;
- and
- an actuator applying, in response to an indication by the piezoelectric sensor, a force to the beam to counteract the shape changes of the beam due to the axial force loading the beam, thereby inhibiting buckling of the beam.
1 more element
Apparatus for inhibiting buckling, comprising:
- a beam loaded in compression by an axial force that is capable of causing the beam to buckle;
- a strain sensor coupled to the beam and responsive to shape changes of the beam due to the axial force loading the beam;
- and
- an actuator applying, in response to an indication by the strain gage sensor, a force to the beam to counteract the shape changes of the beam due to the axial force loading the beam, thereby inhibiting buckling of the beam.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.