Piezoelectric damping device

A piezoelectric damping device, comprising a pair of damping elements, each of the damping elements having:

• a substantially U-shaped mount having opposed first and second ends, the mount being adapted for partially covering a vibrating structure;
• first and second magnets respectively attached to the first and second ends of the mount;
• a piezoelectric layer disposed on an outer face of the mount;
• and
• an electrical shunt circuit in electrical communication with the piezoelectric layer, the first and second magnets of the pair of damping elements being oriented so that the pair of damping elements are both adapted for attachment about the vibrating structure;
• whereby vibration in each of the piezoelectric layers caused by the vibrating structure generates electrical energy, the electrical energy being dissipated by the electrical shunt circuits, thereby damping vibration in the vibrating structure.

A piezoelectric damping device, comprising:

• a magnetic layer having opposed inner and outer faces, the inner face being adapted for contacting a first face of a vibrating structure;
• a magnet adapted for contacting an opposed, second face of the vibrating structure, the magnet being oriented so that the magnetic layer and the magnet are releasably attached to the vibrating structure by magnetic attraction therebetween;
• a piezoelectric layer disposed on the outer face of the magnetic layer;
• and
• an electrical shunt circuit in electrical communication with the piezoelectric layer;
• whereby vibration in the piezoelectric layer caused by the vibrating structure generates electrical energy, the electrical energy being dissipated by the electrical shunt circuit, thereby damping vibration in the vibrating structure.