US4587779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for protecting a body from motions transmitted through the ground
Assignee: Seisma AG
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Filing: 1985-08-26
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Granted: 1986-05-13
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Expires: 2005-08-26
Abstract
Abstract A mechanically fully isolated body (D) is connected by mechanical isolators (C), behaving elastically in all directions, with its basis (B). This basis is linked firmly to the surrounding formation. There exists a frequency range called hole of eigenfrequencies between the highest (6) of the six lowest system eigenfrequencies (1-6)--called fundamental eigenfrequencies--and the lowest (7) of all higher eigenfrequencies (7,8 . . . )--called upper eigenfrequencies--of the oscillatory element consisting of the body (D) and the isolators (C). In this range the oscillatory element presents no eigenfrequencies. The hole of eigenfrequencies shall cover the range of resonance of the relevant design response spectrum of the excitation (E). By these measures the body resists to the strongest earthquakes measured or to be expected at that site.
Inventors
- 👤 Konrad Staudacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:25
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H9/00; E04H9/02; E04H9/021; E02; E02D; E02D27/00; E02D27/32; E02D27/34; F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/02; F16F15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
In a body, integrally protected against damage from motions transmitted through the ground; said motions being measurably expressed in form of a design response spectrum having a predominant resonance range where acceleration amplitudes are highest, said motions being transmitted by mechanical isolators which three-dimensionally yieldingly connect the body to a base, the base being rigidly linked to a surrounding formation, the combined body and isolators having a series of structural frequencies including a set of six lower, fundamental structural frequencies and a set of upper structural frequencies, the improvement comprising: means providing the combined body and isolators with a gap in said series of structural frequencies of the combined body and isolators, said gap lying between the highest of said six fundamental structural frequencies and the lowest of said upper structural frequencies of the combined body and isolators, said means being further formed to select said gap so that said gap falls within said resonance range of said design response spectrum, whereby the body is devoid of structural frequencies within said resonance range of said design response spectrum and is thereby isolated from corresponding high amplitude motions transmitted through the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a body, integrally protected against damage from motions transmitted through the ground; said motions being measurably expressed in form of a design response spectrum having a predominant resonance range where acceleration amplitudes are highest, said motions being transmitted by mechanical isolators which three-dimensionally yieldingly connect the body to a base, the base being rigidly linked to a surrounding formation, the combined body and isolators having a series of structural frequencies including a set of six lower, fundamental structural frequencies and a set of upper structural frequencies, the improvement comprising: means providing the combined body and isolators with a gap in said series of structural frequencies of the combined body and isolators, said gap lying between the highest of said six fundamental structural frequencies and the lowest of said upper structural frequencies of the combined body and isolators, said means being further formed to select said gap so that said gap falls within said resonance range of said design response spectrum, whereby the body is devoid of structural frequencies within said resonance range of said design response spectrum and is thereby isolated from corresponding high amplitude motions transmitted through the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A body according to claim 1 wherein said means is formed so that either one of the lowest two fundamental structural frequencies of the combined body and isolators is no more than about 40% of the highest fundamental structural frequency thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A body constructed according to claim 1 wherein said means is formed so that the highest fundamental structural frequency of the combined body and isolators is not substantially more than 1.6 Hz and the lowest upper structural frequency thereof is not substantially less than 6.0 Hz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A body according to claim 1 wherein the base comprises a continuous stiff base mat extending over substantially the entire plan configuration of the body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A body according to claim 1 wherein the formation comprises a firm subsoil surrounding the base.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A body according to claim 1 wherein both the formation and the body each have a vertical stiffness, and wherein the isolators each have a vertical stiffness which is at most one-sixth the vertical stiffness of a selected one of said body and said formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A body according to claim 1 wherein said body comprises one of a building, a machine and an electrical substation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A body according to claim 7, wherein said body comprises a machine and said formation comprises a support structure surrounding said base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said body comprises a stiff box-like structure including exterior and interior support elements forming together a load-bearing structural frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 9, wherein said exterior support elements comprise an exterior wall and top and bottom plates disposed to as to provide substantially continuous exterior bracing support of said box-like structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention according to claim 10 wherein said interior support elements comprise a load-bearing inner wall and a substantially continuous horizontal plate extending between said inner wall and said exterior wall, said inner wall and horizontal plate being disposed so as to provide interior bracing support of said box-like structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
116 words
A building structure protected against damage from motions transmitted through the ground, comprising a foundation in direct contact with and linked rigidly to the surrounding ground; a rigid superstructure elastically supported above said foundation, said rigid superstructure having continuous and supporting exterior walls; elastic isolators between said foundation and superstructure to provide the elastic support of said rigid superstructure, said elastic isolators working in all directions and having a vertical stiffness which is at least 6-9 times less than the vertical stiffness of the surrounding ground; and wherein said rigid superstructure and elastic isolators are selected to provide a range of resonance which lies between the sixth and seventh eigenfrequencies of the combined superstructure and isolators.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
116 words
A building structure protected against damage from motions transmitted through the ground, comprising a foundation in direct contact with and linked rigidly to the surrounding ground; a rigid superstructure elastically supported above said foundation, said rigid superstructure having continuous and supporting exterior walls; elastic isolators between said foundation and superstructure to provide the elastic support of said rigid superstructure, said elastic isolators working in all directions and having a vertical stiffness which is at least 6-9 times less than the vertical stiffness of the surrounding ground; and wherein said rigid superstructure and elastic isolators are selected to provide a range of resonance which lies between the sixth and seventh eigenfrequencies of the combined superstructure and isolators.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A building structure according to claim 12 wherein said range of resonance lies between 1.6 Hz and 6.0 Hz.
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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) | 1989-05-12 | 1989-11-11 | 1990-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-12 | 1993-11-11 | 1994-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-12 | 1997-11-11 | 1998-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |