US 5,526,609 A · Method and apparatus for real-time structure parameter modification

Abstract

A method and apparatus for structural deflection control, as well as associated sequential controls that are based on new control laws. The apparatus of this invention is of relatively low cost and performs better than prior art devices. The essence of the invention is to adjust the dynamic parameters (mass, damping, stiffness coefficients of the structure and/or input forcing coefficients) adaptive to input dynamic loads, by using the new devices and the suggested control laws. In so doing, the structure performs an adaptive function to effectively counter the effects induced by multi-directional external excitations. The required control power can be nil, or many times lower than prior art active control devices, and the effectiveness can be equivalent or even better than the current state-of-the-art active controls. The devices used by the apparatus of this invention can readily be manufactured for immediate application in structures, buildings and contents, and other constructed facilities.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method of real-time structure parameter modification (RSM) to control the displacement of a structure comprising the following steps:

mounting functional switches in a structure, each functional switch being capable of controlling the displacement of the structure when energy is applied to the structure, and each functional switch capable of being switched between "on" and "off" states;
measuring the velocity of the structure adjacent each functional switch, which velocity is caused by the application of external energy to the structure;
establishing an initial local structural control signal for each functional switch when the measured velocity of the structure adjacent the associated functional switch approaches zero;
and
causing the functional switch to act in response to the initial local structural control signal in the absence of any override signal in such a manner that the functional switch will control displacement of the structure.

2 more elements

An apparatus for real-time structure parameter modification (RSM) whereby the displacement of a structure may be controlled;

the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of functional switches (36) mounted in a structure, each functional switch being capable of controlling the displacement of the structure when energy is applied to the structure, and each functional switch capable of being switched between "on" and "off" states;
a velocity transducer (64) mounted in the structure adjacent each functional switch (36) for measuring the velocity of the structure adjacent each functional switch, which velocity is caused by the application of external energy to the structure, each velocity transducer initiating a signal in response to measured velocity;
control means (67) which establishes an initial local structural control signal for each functional switch when the associated velocity signal indicates a velocity approaching zero;
and
means (57) for causing the functional switch to act in response to the initial local structural control signal in the absence of any override signal in such a manner that the functional switch will control displacement of the structure.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for real-time structure parameter modification

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for real-time structure parameter modification

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10