Vibration isolation for rotating machines

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11603903
  • Patent Number
    11,603,903
  • Date Filed
    Friday, January 22, 2021
    3 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 14, 2023
    a year ago
Abstract
A rotating machine system can include a rotating machine. The rotating machine system can include a housing. The housing can include an inner surface. The housing can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine. The inner surface of the housing can be spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween. The rotating machine system can include one or more super elastic wires. The one or more super elastic wires can be positioned in the space and can be operatively connected to the rotating machine and the inner surface of the housing. The one or more super elastic wires can reduce vibration within the rotating machine system.
Description
FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates in general to rotating machines and, more particularly, to vibration reduction in rotating machines.


BACKGROUND

Rotating machines are used for converting one type of energy input into a different type of energy output. Rotating machines are used in various applications, such as rotating vehicle wheels, generating energy from natural resources, and powering everyday appliances. Examples of rotating machines include motors and turbines.


SUMMARY

In one respect, the present disclosure is directed to a rotating machine system. The rotating machine system can include a rotating machine. The rotating machine system can include a housing. The housing can include an inner surface. The housing can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine. The inner surface of the housing can be spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween. The rotating machine system can include one or more super elastic wires. The one or more super elastic wires can be positioned in the space and can be operatively connected to the rotating machine and to the inner surface of the housing.


In another respect, the present disclosure is directed to a rotating machine system. The rotating machine system can include a rotating machine. The rotating machine system can include a housing. The housing can include an inner surface. The housing can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine. The inner surface of the housing can be spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween. The rotating machine system can include one or more super elastic wires. The one or more super elastic wires can be positioned in the space and can be operatively connected in tension to the rotating machine and to the inner surface of the housing. The one or more super elastic wires can be stretched to a quasi-zero stiffness regime.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is an example of at least a portion of a rotating machine system.



FIG. 2 is an example of a portion of the rotating machine system, showing an example of an operative connection of one or more super elastic wires to a rotating machine and to a housing.



FIG. 3 is an example of an arrangement of a plurality of super elastic wires in a rotating machine system.



FIG. 4 is an example of an arrangement of one or more super elastic wires in a rotating machine system.



FIG. 5 is an example of an arrangement of a plurality of super elastic wires in a rotating machine system.



FIG. 6 is a cut-away view of an example of an arrangement of a plurality of rows of super elastic wires in a rotating machine system.



FIG. 7 is an example of a stress-strain curve for super elastic materials.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The high speed rotation of a rotating machine can cause the components of the rotating machine to vibrate. Other causes of vibration in rotating machines can include wear and tear on and/or misalignment of the components of the rotating machine, and/or bearing malfunctions, to name a few examples. Over time, vibration in rotating machines can cause mechanical failures within the rotating machine. Accordingly, arrangements described herein relate to vibration isolation for rotating machines.


A rotating machine system can include a rotating machine and a housing. The housing can include an inner surface, and the housing can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine. The inner surface of the housing can be spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween. The rotating machine system can include one or more super elastic wires positioned in the space and operatively connected to the rotating machine and to the inner surface of the housing. The one or more super elastic wires can reduce vibration in the rotating machine system.


Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended only as examples. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the aspects herein in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of possible implementations. Various embodiments are shown in FIGS. 1-7, but the embodiments are not limited to the illustrated structure or application.


It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details.


Referring to FIG. 1, an example of at least a portion of a rotating machine system 10 is shown. Some of the possible elements of the rotating machine system 10 are shown in FIG. 1 and will now be described. It will be understood that it is not necessary for the rotating machine system 10 to have all of the elements shown in FIG. 1 or described herein. Further, it will be appreciated that the rotating machine system 10 can have alternative and/or additional elements to those shown in FIG. 1.


The rotating machine system 10 can include a rotating machine 12, a housing 14, and one or more super elastic wires 16. The various elements of the rotating machine system 10 can be operatively connected to each other (or any combination thereof). As used herein, the term “operatively connected” can include direct or indirect connections, including connections without direct physical contact.


Each of the above noted elements of the rotating machine system 10 will be described in turn below. The rotating machine 12 can be any suitable rotating machine, including a motor, a turbine, or a generator, just to name a few examples. The rotating machine 12 can include one or more stationary components and one or more rotating components. In some arrangements, the rotating machine 12 can include a stator, rotor, and/or central shaft 18. The rotating machine 12 can be configured to rotate at a high rate. The rotating machine 12 can have an axis of rotation 19.


The rotating machine system 10 can include a housing 14. At least a portion of the rotating machine 12 can be located within the housing 14, which can protect the rotating machine 12 or one or more components thereof. The housing 14 can include an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 22. In some arrangements, the housing 14 can be substantially cylindrical in shape, but the housing 14 can be any other suitable shape. In some arrangements, the inner surface 20 can be substantially cylindrical in shape, but other suitable shapes for the inner surface 20 are possible.


The inner surface 20 can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine 12. The housing 14 can be spaced from the rotating machine 12 such that there is a space 24 between the rotating machine 12 and the inner surface 20. The space 24 can include an upper region 26 and a lower region 28. The terms “upper” and “lower” are used for convenience to indicate the relative location of the region in the operative position of the rotating machine system 10. The space 24 can be substantially constant in one or more directions. For example, the space 24 can be substantially constant in the axial direction A, a circumferential direction C, and/or a radial direction R. The axial direction A can be a direction that is coaxial with and/or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 19, which can be represented by point A in a direction into and/or out of the page. The circumferential direction C can be the direction about the axis of rotation 19. The radial direction R can be any direction extending substantially radially outward from the axial direction A toward the inner surface 20.


The rotating machine 12 can include one or more super elastic wires 16. The super elastic wire(s) 16 can be positioned in the space 24 between the rotating machine 12 and the inner surface 20. The super elastic wire(s) 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20.


The super elastic wire(s) 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 in any suitable manner. For example, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and/or to the inner surface 20 by one or more fasteners, one or more adhesives, one or more forms of mechanical engagement, and/or any combination thereof.


Referring to FIG. 2, the rotating machine system 10 can, in one or more examples, include a plurality of fasteners 30 arranged in the circumferential direction C about the housing 14. In this example, the fasteners 30 can include bolts. In one example, the bolts can be eye bolts 32, but can be any other suitable type of bolt. The eye bolts 32 can pass through apertures in the housing 14. Retention members 34 can engage the eye bolts 32 on the outer surface 22 to retain the eye bolts 32 in place. In one example, the retention members 34 can be nuts, but can be any other suitable type of retention member.


Also shown in FIG. 2, the rotating machine system 10 can, additionally or alternatively, include fasteners 30 operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and positioned within the space 24. The fasteners 30 can be any suitable fasteners, including hooks, loops, or rings 36. The super elastic wire(s) 16 can pass through the fasteners 30.


In other examples, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 directly. For example, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 by one or more screws, one or more nails, one or more adhesives, and/or one or more forms of mechanical engagement, or any combination thereof. As a result, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can directly contact the inner surface 20.


The super elastic wire(s) 16 can be positioned in the space 24 and operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 in any suitable arrangement. In one or more arrangements, such as is shown in FIG. 1, the rotating machine system 10 can include a single super elastic wire 16. The single super elastic wire 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 at numerous points, thereby forming an alternating arrangement. In other arrangements, the rotating machine system 10 can include a plurality of super elastic wires 16. The plurality of super elastic wires 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 at numerous points, thereby forming an alternating arrangement. In some arrangements, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can form or resemble a substantially zig-zag pattern. In other arrangements, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can substantially form or resemble a sine wave, a square wave, and/or a triangle wave, just to name a few examples. The super elastic wire(s) 16 can form any other suitable wave-like or alternating arrangement. In some arrangements, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be substantially equally distributed in the circumferential direction C.


In other arrangements, such as is shown in FIG. 3, the rotating machine system 10 can include a plurality of super elastic wires 16. The plurality of super elastic wires 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 in a substantially radial arrangement. In this arrangement, each of the plurality of super elastic wires 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 such that each of the plurality of super elastic wires 16 extends substantially in the radial direction R. In some arrangements, the plurality of super elastic wires 16 can be substantially equally distributed in the circumferential direction C.


As described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 3, in some arrangements, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be distributed within the space 24 substantially uniformly in the circumferential direction C. As such, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be substantially equally spaced. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be distributed within the space 24 non-uniformly in the circumferential direction C.


In some examples, such as is shown in FIG. 4, the rotating machine system 10 can include a single super elastic wire 16 arranged in a substantially alternating arrangement, with a greater portion of the single super elastic wire 16 located in the lower region 28 of the space 24 compared to an upper region 26 of the space 24. Alternatively, the rotating machine system 10 can include a plurality of super elastic wires 16 arranged in a substantially alternating arrangement, with a greater portion of the plurality of super elastic wires 16 located in the lower region 28 of the space 24 compared to an upper region 26 of the space 24.


In other examples, such as is shown in FIG. 5, the rotating machine system 10 can include a plurality of super elastic wires 16 arranged in a substantially radial arrangement. There can be a greater concentration of the super elastic wires 16 in a lower region 28 of the space 24 compared to an upper region 26 of the space 24. In either or more examples, the distribution of the super elastic wire(s) 16 within the space 24 can vary based on one or more characteristics of the rotating machine 12. For example, a non-uniform arrangement of super elastic wire(s) 16 can be helpful in order to account for the load caused by the weight of the rotating machine 12.


The super elastic wire(s) 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 such that the super elastic wire(s) 16 form a row 38 substantially in the circumferential direction C about the rotating machine 12. The row 38 of super elastic wire(s) 16 can be substantially perpendicular relative to the axial direction A of the rotating machine 12.


In some arrangements, the rotating machine system 10 can include a plurality of rows 38 of super elastic wires 16, as shown in FIG. 6. The plurality of rows 38 can be spaced from each other along the axis of rotation 19 or the axial direction A of the rotating machine 12. Each row 38 of the plurality of rows 38 can include super elastic wire(s) 16 arranged in a substantially alternating arrangement, a substantially radial arrangement, or any other suitable arrangement. The super elastic wire(s) 16 in each row can be arranged in a substantially equal distribution or in a non-equal distribution. In some arrangements, the plurality of rows 38 can be substantially equally spaced in the axial direction A. In some arrangements, one or more of the rows 38 can be non-equally spaced from the other rows 38 in the axial direction A.


In some arrangements, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 such that the super elastic wire(s) 16 are stretched in tension. As such, the rotating machine 12 can be suspended within the housing 14 by the super elastic wire(s) 16. The tension of the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be varied in any suitable manner. In some examples, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be pre-stretched before they are operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20. In other examples, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be operatively connected to the rotating machine 12 and to the inner surface 20 before being stretched. In some examples, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can be stretched, for example, by adjusting the fasteners 30 and//or by manual stretching.


In arrangements including a plurality of super elastic wires 16, each of the plurality of super elastic wires 16 can have a predetermined stiffness. In some examples, each of the plurality of super elastic wires 16 can have substantially the same predetermined stiffness. In other examples, the predetermined stiffness of one or more of the plurality of super elastic wires 16 can be different from the other super elastic wires 16. In some examples, the predetermined stiffness of each of the plurality of super elastic wires 16 can vary based on one or more characteristics of the rotating machine 12. For example, the predetermined stiffness of each of the plurality of super elastic wires 16 can vary to account for the load caused by the weight of the rotating machine 12. In this example, the super elastic wires 16 in a lower region 28 of the space 24 can have a higher predetermined stiffness compared to the super elastic wires 16 in an upper region 26 of the space 24.


The super elastic wire(s) 16 can be made of any suitable super elastic material. One example of a super elastic wire is AdrenaLine™, which is available from Miga Motor Company, Silverton, Oreg. Another example of a super elastic wire is Furukawa Ni—Ti Alloy, which is available from Furukawa Techno Material Co., Ltd., Kanagawa, Japan. In other examples, the super elastic material can be shape memory alloy.


A super elastic material is a material that exhibits two primary properties under certain conditions: superelasticity and quasi-zero stiffness. These properties are depicted in the stress-strain curve 70 shown in FIG. 7. Superelasticity refers to the ability of the super elastic material to substantially regain its original shape when an applied stress, load, and/or force, is removed. For example, the super elastic recovery region 72 of the stress-strain curve 70 shows the super elastic material returning to a zero-stress state after unloading of an applied stress. Quasi-zero stiffness refers to a region of the stress-strain curve 70 for super elastic materials that is substantially flat. In the quasi-zero stiffness region 74 of the stress-strain curve 70, the stiffness becomes very low (for example, zero or substantially zero), which allows for good vibration isolation. When the super elastic wire(s) 16 operate in the quasi-zero stiffness region 74, the transfer of vibrations from the rotating machine 12 to the housing 14 is substantially reduced. In this way, the super elastic wire(s) 16 can act as vibration isolators. The super elastic material would exhibit a similar profile on a force-deflection curve. In the quasi-zero stiffness region, the force-deflection curve can become substantially flat.


While the super elastic material is described herein as being a wire, it will be understood that the super elastic material is not limited to being a wire. In other examples, the super elastic material can take the form of cables, tubes, and/or other structures, just to name a few examples. Additionally or alternatively, the super elastic material may include an insulated coating.


It will be appreciated that the arrangements described herein can provide numerous benefits, including one or more of the benefits mentioned herein. For example, the arrangements described herein can reduce vibrations within a rotating machine and stabilize the rotating machine within the housing. The arrangements described herein can also improve the rate of wear of the rotating machine and the operability of the rotating machine. Moreover, the arrangements described herein can also reduce the occurrence of mechanical failures within the rotating machine.


The terms “a” and “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The phrase “at least one of . . . and . . . ,” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As an example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” includes A only, B only, C only, or any combination thereof (e.g. AB, AC, BC, or ABC). As used herein, the term “substantially” or “about” includes exactly the term it modifies and slight variations therefrom. Thus, the term “substantially parallel” means exactly parallel and slight variations therefrom. “Slight variations therefrom” can include within 15 degrees/percent/units or less, within 14 degrees/percent/units or less, within 13 degrees/percent/units or less, within 12 degrees/percent/units or less, within 11 degrees/percent/units or less, within 10 degrees/percent/units or less, within 9 degrees/percent/units or less, within 8 degrees/percent/units or less, within 7 degrees/percent/units or less, within 6 degrees/percent/units or less, within 5 degrees/percent/units or less, within 4 degrees/percent/units or less, within 3 degrees/percent/units or less, within 2 degrees/percent/units or less, or within 1 degree/percent/unit or less. In some examples, “substantially” can include being within normal manufacturing tolerances.


Aspects herein can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims
  • 1. A rotating machine system comprising: a rotating machine;a housing including an inner surface, the housing surrounding at least a portion of the rotating machine, the inner surface of the housing being spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween; andone or more super elastic wires having a stiffness profile including a quasi-zero stiffness region, the one or more super elastic wires being positioned in the space and being operatively connected to the rotating machine and to the inner surface of the housing.
  • 2. The rotating machine system of claim 1, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are connected to at least one of the rotating machine and the inner surface of the housing by one or more fasteners.
  • 3. The rotating machine system of claim 1, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are stretched to a quasi-zero stiffness regime.
  • 4. The rotating machine system of claim 1, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are operatively connected in tension between the rotating machine and the housing.
  • 5. The rotating machine system of claim 1, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are arranged in a row in a circumferential direction about the rotating machine.
  • 6. The rotating machine system of claim 1, wherein the one or more super elastic wires is a plurality of super elastic wires, and wherein the plurality of super elastic wires are arranged substantially radially relative to an axis of rotation of the rotating machine.
  • 7. The rotating machine system of claim 1, wherein the one or more super elastic wires is a plurality of super elastic wires, wherein the plurality of super elastic wires are arranged in a plurality of rows, and wherein the plurality of rows are spaced from each other along an axis of rotation of the rotating machine.
  • 8. The rotating machine system of claim 1, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are arranged in an alternating arrangement in a circumferential direction about the rotating machine.
  • 9. The rotating machine system of claim 1, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are distributed non-uniformly in a circumferential direction about the rotating machine.
  • 10. The rotating machine system of claim 9, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are distributed with a greater concentration in a lower region of the space than in an upper region of the space.
  • 11. The rotating machine system of claim 1, wherein the rotating machine is suspended in the housing by the one or more super elastic wires.
  • 12. A rotating machine system, comprising: a rotating machine;a housing including an inner surface, the housing surrounding at least a portion of the rotating machine, the inner surface of the housing being spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween; andone or more super elastic wires having a stiffness profile including a quasi-zero stiffness region, the one or more super elastic wires being positioned in the space and being operatively connected in tension to the rotating machine and to the inner surface of the housing and being stretched to a quasi-zero stiffness regime.
  • 13. The rotating machine system of claim 12, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are connected to at least one of the rotating machine and the inner surface of the housing by one or more fasteners.
  • 14. The rotating machine system of claim 12, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are arranged in a row in a circumferential direction about the rotating machine.
  • 15. The rotating machine system of claim 12, wherein the one or more super elastic wires is a plurality of super elastic wires, and wherein the plurality of super elastic wires are arranged substantially radially relative to an axis of rotation of the rotating machine.
  • 16. The rotating machine system of claim 12, wherein the one or more super elastic wires is a plurality of super elastic wires, wherein the plurality of super elastic wires are arranged in a plurality of rows, and wherein the plurality of rows are spaced from each other along an axis of rotation of the rotating machine.
  • 17. The rotating machine system of claim 12, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are arranged in an alternating arrangement in a circumferential direction about the rotating machine.
  • 18. The rotating machine system of claim 12, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are distributed non-uniformly in a circumferential direction about the rotating machine.
  • 19. The rotating machine system of claim 18, wherein the one or more super elastic wires are distributed with a greater concentration in a lower region of the space between the rotating machine and the housing than in an upper region of the space between the rotating machine and the housing.
  • 20. The rotating machine system of claim 12, wherein the rotating machine is suspended in the housing by the one or more super elastic wires.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/128,519, filed on Dec. 21, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (107)
Number Name Date Kind
82276 Bellerille Sep 1868 A
1826597 Brecht Oct 1931 A
2121835 Sproul Jun 1938 A
2655935 Kinzbach Oct 1953 A
2991655 Jorgensen Jul 1961 A
3394631 Thompson Jul 1968 A
3430942 MacGlashan Mar 1969 A
3559512 Aggarwal Feb 1971 A
3574347 Hughes Apr 1971 A
3608883 Russold Sep 1971 A
3743266 Sturman et al. Jul 1973 A
3836195 Teeri Sep 1974 A
3856242 Cook Dec 1974 A
3858665 Winkler Jan 1975 A
3873079 Kuus Mar 1975 A
3980016 Taylor Sep 1976 A
4168101 DiGrande Sep 1979 A
4215841 Herring, Jr. Aug 1980 A
4351556 Worringer Sep 1982 A
4457213 Morgan Jul 1984 A
4522447 Snyder et al. Jun 1985 A
4530491 Bucksbee et al. Jul 1985 A
4612429 Milianowicz Sep 1986 A
4824338 Eickmann Apr 1989 A
4799654 Eickmann Jun 1989 A
4898426 Schulz et al. Feb 1990 A
5178357 Platus Jan 1993 A
5222709 Culley, Jr. et al. Jun 1993 A
5263694 Smith et al. Nov 1993 A
5310157 Platus May 1994 A
5390903 Fidziukiewicz Feb 1995 A
5482351 Young et al. Jan 1996 A
5662376 Breuer et al. Sep 1997 A
5669594 Platus Sep 1997 A
5669598 Ticey et al. Sep 1997 A
5747140 Heerklotz May 1998 A
5842312 Krumme et al. Dec 1998 A
6025080 Soroushian Feb 2000 A
6142563 Townsend et al. Nov 2000 A
6290037 Williams Sep 2001 B1
6354556 Ritchie et al. Mar 2002 B1
6796408 Sherwin Sep 2004 B2
6896324 Kull et al. May 2005 B1
6935693 Janscha Aug 2005 B2
6939097 Carr et al. Sep 2005 B2
7100990 Kimura et al. Sep 2006 B2
7152839 Mullinix et al. Dec 2006 B2
7411331 Dubowski et al. Aug 2008 B2
7506937 Bequet Mar 2009 B2
7661764 Ali et al. Feb 2010 B2
7703281 Kosaka et al. Apr 2010 B2
7717520 Boren et al. May 2010 B2
7822522 Wereley et al. Oct 2010 B2
7971939 Fujita et al. Jul 2011 B2
8166626 Sereni et al. May 2012 B2
8185988 Wieland May 2012 B2
8328962 Schussler Dec 2012 B2
8366082 Evans Feb 2013 B2
8585026 Dittmar Nov 2013 B2
8793821 Fowkes et al. Aug 2014 B2
8899393 Kraner et al. Dec 2014 B2
8919751 Kneidel Dec 2014 B2
9154024 Jore et al. Oct 2015 B2
9194452 Hawkins et al. Nov 2015 B2
9327847 Platus May 2016 B2
9370982 Siuissa Jun 2016 B2
9394950 Henry et al. Jul 2016 B1
9399320 Johnson et al. Jul 2016 B2
9408428 Gaudet Aug 2016 B2
9447839 Dunning Sep 2016 B2
9731828 Lichota Aug 2017 B2
9791014 McKnight et al. Oct 2017 B1
9920793 Churchill et al. Mar 2018 B1
9994136 Nakada Jun 2018 B2
10233991 Churchill et al. Mar 2019 B2
10357955 Ziolek Jul 2019 B2
10371229 Gandhi et al. Aug 2019 B2
10479246 Meingast et al. Nov 2019 B2
10677310 Gandhi et al. Jun 2020 B2
11021998 Ganiger Jun 2021 B2
20040145230 Snyder et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040245830 Scheck et al. Dec 2004 A1
20060101803 White May 2006 A1
20060101807 Wood May 2006 A1
20070138720 Evans Jun 2007 A1
20070236071 Fujita et al. Oct 2007 A1
20080181763 Webster Jul 2008 A1
20090025833 Schussler Jan 2009 A1
20090126288 Fanucci May 2009 A1
20100001568 Trybus et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100283887 Topliss et al. Nov 2010 A1
20120018577 Quiroz-Hernandez Jan 2012 A1
20140265468 Greenhill et al. Sep 2014 A1
20150130220 Preisler et al. May 2015 A1
20150298580 Kanai Oct 2015 A1
20150346507 Howarth Dec 2015 A1
20160009156 Leonard et al. Jan 2016 A1
20160032997 Seepersad et al. Feb 2016 A1
20160068085 Mindel et al. Mar 2016 A1
20170009601 Szwedowicz Jan 2017 A1
20170158104 Le et al. Jun 2017 A1
20180195570 Churchill et al. Jul 2018 A1
20180195571 Churchill et al. Jul 2018 A1
20180312086 Meigast et al. Nov 2018 A1
20190186588 Gandhi et al. Jun 2019 A1
20190186589 Gandhi et al. Jun 2019 A1
20210107623 Barrett Apr 2021 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (12)
Number Date Country
202811955 Mar 2013 CN
104062461 Sep 2014 CN
204774820 Nov 2015 CN
103147511 Apr 2016 CN
108240415 Jul 2018 CN
108757799 Nov 2018 CN
109540493 Mar 2019 CN
109932805 Jun 2019 CN
102010003594 Oct 2011 DE
H0614980 Feb 1994 JP
2011201378 Oct 2011 JP
2014180009 Nov 2014 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (14)
Entry
Williams et al., “Dynamic modelling of a shape memory alloy adaptive tuned vibration absorber,” Journal of Sound and Vibration 280, Dec. 4, 2003, pp. 211-234 (24 pages).
Araki et al., “Integrated mechanical and material design of quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolator with superelastic Cu—Al—Mn shape memory alloy bars,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, Dec. 2015, pp. 1-19 (34 pages).
Casciati et al., “Performance of a base isolator with shape memory alloy bars,” Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration, vol. 6, No. 4, Dec. 2007, pp. 401-408 (8 pages).
Morsch et al., “Design of a Generic Zero Stiffness Compliant Joint,” Proceedings of the ASME 2010 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, Aug. 15-18, 2010, pp. 1-9 (10 pages).
Miga Motor Company, “Miga Adrenaline—A Space Age Wire,” retrieved from the Internet: <https://migamotors.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=37>, [retrieved Mar. 26, 2021] (1 page).
Furukawa Techno Material, “Shape Memory Alloys & Super-elastic Alloys,” retrieved from the Internet: <https://www.furukawa-ftm.com/english/nt-e/product.htm>, [retrieved Mar. 26, 2021] (3 pages).
Le et al., “A vibration isolation system in low frequency excitation region using negative stiffness structure for vehicle seat,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol. 330, Issue 26, Dec. 19, 2011, pp. 6311-6335 (25 pages).
Lee et al., “A multi-stage high-speed railroad vibration isolation system with “negative” stiffness,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol. 331, Issue 4, Feb. 13, 2012, pp. 914-921 (8 pages).
Lee et al., “Position control of seat suspension with minimum stiffness,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol. 292, Issues 1-2, Apr. 25, 2006, pp. 435-442 (8 pages).
Carrella et al., “Demonstrator to show the effects of negative stiffness on the natural frequency of a simple oscillator,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, Jul. 14, 2008, pp. 1189-1192 (4 pages).
Le et al., “Experimental investigation of a vibration isolation system using negative stiffness structure,” International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, vol. 70, May 2013, pp. 99-112 (14 pages).
Shan et al., “Rigidity-tuning conductive elastomer,” Smart Materials and Structures, 2015, pp. 1-9 (10 pages).
Correa et al., “Mechanical design of negative stiffness honeycomb materials,” Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation, 2015, pp. 1-11 (11 pages).
Ferguson-Pell, “Seat Cushion Selection,” JRRD Clinical Supplement No. 2: Choosing a Wheelchair System, 1990, pp. 49-73 (25 pages).
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20220196109 A1 Jun 2022 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
63128519 Dec 2020 US