Vehicle center bearing assembly including piezo-based device for vibration damping
US6520678B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2326/06
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
One or more piezo-based devices are mounted on a center bearing assembly of a drive train assembly for reducing the amount of vibrations that are generated therein during operation. The piezo-based device is used to dampen these vibrations by converting the physical vibratory motion of the driveshaft tube into an electrical current that is dissipated through a resistive element as heat. By varying the magnitude of the resistive element, the center damping frequency of the piezo-based device can be varied as needed for center bearing assembly and drive train. If desired, an inductive element may be provided with the resistive element to dissipate the electrical current. The magnitude of the resistive element may be varied by a controller in response to the magnitude and/or frequency of the vibrations sensed by a sensor. Alternatively, the stiffness of the piezo-based device may be controlled by an electrical current generator that can be operated by a controller in response to the magnitude and/or frequency of the vibrations sensed by a sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.