Patent · US Expired

Vibration control device for structure

US5442883A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
8References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 18, 1993
Grant dateAug 22, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 18, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02A50/00
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A device to protect tall buildings from structural damage due to seismic vibration and/or high winds. The device comprises a first mass equal to about 1/500 to 1/1000 of the weight of the building to be protected. The first mass, provided with an upper arcuately concave surface with matching curved tracks, is horizontally secured on rubber dampers to an appropriate portion of the building, such as the roof or an upper floor. A second mass, equal to about 1/20 to 1/100 of the weight of the first mass, is positioned to oscillate on the curved tracks in synchronization with the natural frequency of the building, whereby the response of the building due to seismic vibration or high winds is attenuated. The curved tracks can function as the stator of a linear motor and the second mass can function as the motor driver.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.