US4339780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibration controller utilizing magnetic forces
Assignee: Design Professionals Financial Corp
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Filing: 1980-11-10
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Granted: 1982-07-13
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Expires: 2000-11-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling vibration in a structural element includes a first magnet attached to the structural element, a sensing device positioned to detect motion of the structural element, and a vibration control device connected to receive information from the sensing device concerning motion of the structural element. The vibration control device includes a second magnet spaced apart from the first magnet and a coil for varying the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet. The coil, in response to signals from the sensing device, alters the strength of the magnetic field and thereby controls vibration of the structural element.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeo Okubo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:55
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/02; F16F15/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for controlling the vibration of a structural element comprising: a first magnet attached to the structural element; sensing means positioned to detect motion of the structural element including: a second magnet spaced apart from the first magnet, and means for detecting variations in the strength of the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet; and vibration control means connected to receive information from the sensing means concerning the motion of the structural element, the vibration control means including: a third magnet spaced apart from the first magnet, and means for varying the strength of the magnetic field between the first magnet and the third magnet to increase and decrease the force between the first magnet and the third magnet to control the vibration of the structural element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for controlling the vibration of a structural element comprising: a first magnet attached to the structural element; sensing means positioned to detect motion of the structural element including: a second magnet spaced apart from the first magnet, and means for detecting variations in the strength of the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet; and vibration control means connected to receive information from the sensing means concerning the motion of the structural element, the vibration control means including: a third magnet spaced apart from the first magnet, and means for varying the strength of the magnetic field between the first magnet and the third magnet to increase and decrease the force between the first magnet and the third magnet to control the vibration of the structural element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for varying the strength of the magnetic field is a first coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the first coil is disposed in the magnetic field between the first magnet and the third magnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein a pole piece is attached to one pole of each of the first magnet and the third magnet to thereby narrow the spacing between the first magnet and the third magnet to a first gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the first coil surrounds the first gap between the pole pieces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein: the sensing means supplies electrical signals related to vibration of the structural element to a signal processing means; and the first coil is connected to receive signals from the signal processing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for detecting variations in the strength of the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet is a second coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the second coil is disposed in the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet to generate electrical signals related to the magnetic field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein a pole piece is attached to one pole of each of the first magnet and the second magnet to thereby narrow the spacing between the first magnet and the second magnet to a second gap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the second coil surrounds the second gap between the pole piece on the first magnet and the pole piece on the second magnet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein electrical signals from the second coil are supplied to signal processing means and electrical signals from the signal processing means are supplied to the first coil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for controlling the vibration of a structural element comprising: a first magnet attached to the structural element; sensing means positioned to detect motion of the structural element including: a second magnet spaced apart from the first magnet to thereby form a first gap, and a first coil disposed about the first gap to detect variations in the strength of the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet; signal processing means connected to the first coil to receive electrial signals therefrom; and vibration control means for controlling vibration in the structural element including: a third magnet spaced apart from the first magnet to thereby form a second gap, and a second coil disposed about the second gap and connected to the signal processing means to thereby increase and decrease the force between the first magnet and the third magnet to thereby control vibration of the structural element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for controlling the vibration of a structural element comprising: a first magnet attached to the structural element; sensing means positioned to detect motion of the structural element including: a second magnet spaced apart from the first magnet to thereby form a first gap, and a first coil disposed about the first gap to detect variations in the strength of the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet; signal processing means connected to the first coil to receive electrial signals therefrom; and vibration control means for controlling vibration in the structural element including: a third magnet spaced apart from the first magnet to thereby form a second gap, and a second coil disposed about the second gap and connected to the signal processing means to thereby increase and decrease the force between the first magnet and the third magnet to thereby control vibration of the structural element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-12 | 1986-01-11 | 1986-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-12 | 1990-01-11 | 1990-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-12 | 1994-01-11 | 1994-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |