# US 5,705,769 A · Vibrationally damped structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,705,769 A - Document ID: US5705769A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/645,734 - Filed: 1996-05-14 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1996-05-14 - Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Inventors: Jeffrey S. Hanson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5705769A ## CPC - B32B 3/14: characterised by a face layer formed of separate pieces of material {which are juxtaposed side-by-side (B32B5/02 takes precedence)} - B32B 15/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 15/20: comprising aluminium or copper {(B32B15/016 and B32B15/017 take precedence)} - B32B 25/04: comprising rubber as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/043; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/044; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/042; next to a metal layer B32B15/06; next to a glass layer B32B17/063; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/043; next to a wood layer B32B21/045; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/046)} - B63H 21/305: {with passive vibration damping} - F16F 7/108: on plastics springs - F16F 9/306: {of the constrained layer type, i.e. comprising one or more constrained viscoelastic layers} - F42B 19/00: Marine torpedoes, e.g. launched by surface vessels or submarines (having additional propulsion means for movement through air F42B17/00); Sea mines having self-propulsion means (F42B12/00 takes precedence; launching means F41F; locating by use of radio or other waves G01S; automatic control of course G05D1/00; firing directors or calculators G06G) - B32B 2307/56: Damping, energy absorption - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D) ## Abstract A vibrationally damped structure includes a structure that is susceptible vibrations and a constrained damping layer positioned over at least a portion of the vibrating structure. The constrained damping layer includes a continuous damping layer bonded to the surface of the structure for providing the first reduction of vibrational energy transmitted through the structure. The constrained damping layer further includes a segmented constraining layer bonded to a portion of the continuous damping layer for providing a second reduction of vibrational energy transmitted through the structure and the continuous damping layer. The continuous damping layer preferably includes a layer of elastomeric material bonded to the structure with an epoxy bonding compound or the like. The segmented constraining layer includes a plurality of rigid segments, such as aluminum plates, bonded to the continuous damping layer with a bonding compound. The constrained damping layer can be placed over the shell structure on its interior surface, exterior surface or both surfaces. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vibrationally damped structure comprising: a structure susceptible to vibrations having at least one surface; at least one continuous damping layer, fixed to and substantially in contact with at least a portion of said structure at least one surface for providing a first reduction of vibrational energy transmitted through said structure; and at least one segmented constraining layer fixed to and substantially in contact with at least a portion of said at least one continuous damping layer for providing a second reduction of vibrational energy transmitted through said structure and said at least one continuous damping layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vibrationally damped structure of claim 1, wherein said structure includes a hull of an underwater vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vibrationally damped structure of claim 1, wherein said structure includes an underwater vehicle hull having an interior surface and an exterior surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vibrationally damped structure of claim 3, wherein said at least one continuous damping layer and said at least one segmented constraining layer substantially cover said interior surface of said underwater vehicle hull. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The vibrationally damped structure of claim 3, wherein said at least one continuous damping layer and said at least one segmented constraining layer substantially cover said exterior surface of said underwater hull. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vibrationally damped structure of claim 1, wherein said at least one continuous damping layer includes a layer of elastomeric damping material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vibrationally damped structure of claim 1, further including a first bonding compound layer bonding said at least one continuous damping layer to said structure at least one surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vibrationally damped structure of claim 7, further including a second bonding compound layer bonding said segmented constraining layer to said continuous damping layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vibrationally damped structure of claim 1, wherein said at least one segmented constraining layer includes a plurality of rigid segments fixed to said at least one continuous damping layer and having a predetermined spacing between each of said plurality of rigid segments. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vibrationally damped structure of claim 9, wherein said plurality of rigid segments include a plurality of aluminum plates. ### Claim 11 A constrained damping layer comprising: at least one continuous, damping layer adapted to be bonded to a vibrating surface; a plurality of rigid segments bonded to said at least one continuous, damping layer with a predetermined distance between each of said plurality of rigid segments for reducing vibrational energy transmitted through the vibrating structure to said at least one continuous, damping layer; and a bonding compound bonding said at least one continuous damping layer to the vibrating surface and bonding said plurality of rigid segments to said at least one continuous damping layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The constrained damping layer of claim 11, wherein said plurality of rigid segments include a plurality of aluminum plates. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The constrained damping layer of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of rigid segments has a surface area in the range of twenty to thirty square inches. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The constrained damping layer of claim 11, wherein said at least one continuous, damping layer is an elastomeric material.