Pivoting vibration absorber including a torsional spring and pipeline system utilizing same

A tuned vibration absorber comprising:

• a support frame including a first side member and a second side member offset from the first side member;
• a tuning mass including an arm with a first end and a second end and a mass movably mounted on the arm at the second arm end the mass be repositionable relative to the second arm end, the tuning mass first arm end being pivotally connected to the support frame along a pivotal axis that extends between the support frame side members, for movement about the pivotal axis, wherein the support frame further comprises means for providing selectable rotational orientation of the tuning mass relative to the support frame;
• and
• an elastomer element located along the pivotal axis and connected between the tuning mass at the first arm end and the support frame wherein the elastomer element provides a spring force responsive to pivotal rotation of the tuning mass relative to the support frame wherein the elastomer element is positioned between the first side member and the second side member along the pivotal axis.

A tuned vibration absorber comprising:

• a support frame including a first side member and a second side member offset from the first side member;
• a tuning mass including an arm with a first end and a second end and a mass movably mounted on the arm at the second arm end, the arm being pivotally connected to the support frame at the first arm end for movement about a pivotal axis, wherein the support frame further comprises means for providing selectable rotational orientation of the tuning mass relative to the support frame;
• and
• a plurality of elastomer elements located along the pivotal axis and connected between the tuning mass and the support frame, the plurality of elastomer elements configured to provide a spring force responsive to pivotal rotation of the tuning mass relative to the support frame wherein the plurality of elastomer elements and the tuning mass are positioned between the first side member and the second side member along the pivotal axis.

A tuned vibration absorber comprising:

• a support frame;
• a tuning mass pivotally connected to the support frame for movement about a pivotal axis, wherein the support frame further comprises means for providing selectable rotational orientation of the tuning mass relative to the support frame;
• and
• a cocking spring located along the pivotal axis and connected between the tuning mass and the support frame that provides a spring force responsive to pivotal rotation of the tuning mass relative to the support frame.

A vibration-reduced pipeline system comprising:

• a pipeline section;
• a tuned vibration absorber connected to the pipeline section wherein the vibration absorber further comprises
• a support frame connected to the pipeline section;
• a tuning mass pivotally connected to the support frame for movement about a pivotal axis, said tuning mass being located away from the pipeline section, wherein the support frame further comprises means for providing selectable rotational orientation of the tuning mass relative to the support frame;
• and
• a torsional spring located along the pivotal axis and connected between the tuning mass and the support frame that provides a spring force responsive to pivotal rotation of the tuning mass relative to the support frame.