US4783937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for suppressing vibration of structure
Assignee: Shimizu Construction Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-04-24
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Granted: 1988-11-15
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Expires: 2007-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A device for suppressing vibration of a structure such as buildings and bridges, including a tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the liquid that the liquid is equal in natural period to the structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Takanori Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:11
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01D; E01D11/00; E01D11/02; E01D19/00; E04; E04H; E04H9/00; E04H9/02; E04H9/021; E04H9/0215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, said first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the structure having a center of rigidity and the first tank having an inner face; and first baffling means, mounted to the inner face of the first tank, for baffling a flow of the first liquid so as to suppress the swinging of the structure, the flow being caused due to swinging of the structure about the center of rigidity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, said first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the structure having a center of rigidity and the first tank having an inner face; and first baffling means, mounted to the inner face of the first tank, for baffling a flow of the first liquid so as to suppress the swinging of the structure, the flow being caused due to swinging of the structure about the center of rigidity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as recited in claim 1, which further comprises a horizontal partition wall horizontally partitioning the first tank to define two chambers, each chamber being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as recited in claim 2, wherein the first tank having a bottom, and the first baffling means comprises a plurality of supporting members erected on the bottom of the first tank for supporting the horizontal partition wall.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
126 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, said first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300; and a horizontal partition wall horizontally partitioning first tank to define two chambers, each chamber being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
126 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, said first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300; and a horizontal partition wall horizontally partitioning first tank to define two chambers, each chamber being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as recited in claim 4, wherein the first tank has a bottom, and wherein the first baffling means comprises a plurality of supporting members erected on the bottom of the first tank for supporting the horizontal partition wall.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300; second baffling means for baffling another flow of the first liquid so as to prevent a sloshing phenomenon caused by resonance of the first liquid to the structure; moving means, mounted to the first tank, for vertically moving the second baffling means between a raised position and a lowered position at which the second baffling means is in the first liquid; and controlling means for detecting the sloshing phenomenon and then controlling the moving means to lower the second baffling means to the lowered position.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300; second baffling means for baffling another flow of the first liquid so as to prevent a sloshing phenomenon caused by resonance of the first liquid to the structure; moving means, mounted to the first tank, for vertically moving the second baffling means between a raised position and a lowered position at which the second baffling means is in the first liquid; and controlling means for detecting the sloshing phenomenon and then controlling the moving means to lower the second baffling means to the lowered position.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
102 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective means of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the structure being a building, and the first tank being disposed within the building.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
102 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective means of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the structure being a building, and the first tank being disposed within the building.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the structure being a bridge having a plurality of towers, each tower having a top, and the first tank being mounted on the top of at least one of the towers.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the structure being a bridge having a plurality of towers, each tower having a top, and the first tank being mounted on the top of at least one of the towers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the structure being a bridge having a reinforced girder, and the first tank being mounted on the girder.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the structure being a bridge having a reinforced girder, and the first tank being mounted on the girder.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the first tank being provided in a plurality.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300, the first tank being provided in a plurality.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as recited in claim 10, further comprising means for supplying and draining the first liquid to control the amount of the first liquid in the first tanks.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as recited in claim 11, wherein the first tanks are in the shape of a rectilinear close box.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as recited in claim 12, wherein the first tanks have each a side wall including an inner face, the inner face being provided with an irregularity for increasing resistance of the inner face to the first liquid for adjustment in damping factor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as recited in claim 13, wherein the first tanks are portable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as recited in claim 14, wherein the first tanks are disposed end-to-end in a columns and rows arrangement.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as recited in claim 15, wherein each of the first tanks has such a width in an horizontal direction that the first liquid in the tank is equal in natural period to the structure in the horizontal direction.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
165 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure. the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300; a second tank; and floating means for floating the second tank on the first liquid in the first tank, the second tank being mounted on the floating means, and the second tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the second liquid that the second liquid is equal in natural period to the first liquid, the ratio of effective mass of the second liquid over mass of the first liquid being about 1/50 to about 1/300.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
165 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure. the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300; a second tank; and floating means for floating the second tank on the first liquid in the first tank, the second tank being mounted on the floating means, and the second tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the second liquid that the second liquid is equal in natural period to the first liquid, the ratio of effective mass of the second liquid over mass of the first liquid being about 1/50 to about 1/300.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
95 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the structure having a center of rigidity, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank having an inner face and first baffling means mounted thereto for baffling a flow of the first liquid so as to suppress the swinging of the structure about the center of rigidity.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
95 words
A device for suppressing vibration of a structure, comprising: a first tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a first liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the structure having a center of rigidity, the first tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure, the first tank having an inner face and first baffling means mounted thereto for baffling a flow of the first liquid so as to suppress the swinging of the structure about the center of rigidity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
61 words
A device as recited in claim 18 wherein the first tank is in a rectangular parallelepiped form defining a longitudinal direction and a transversal direction and the first liquid has a longitudinal natural period and a transversal natural period in the longitudinal and the transversal directions respectively, which coincide respectively with natural frequencies of the structure in longitudinal and transversal directions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as recited in claim 18, wherein the first tank is adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that a ratio of effective mass of the first liquid over mass of the structure is about 1/50 to about 1/300.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as recited in claim 18, wherein the ratio of the effective mass of the first liquid over the mass of the structure is not smaller than about 1/100.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as recited in claim 19, further comprising a horizontal partition wall horizontally partitioning the first tank to define two chambers, each chamber being adapted to contain such an amount of the first liquid that the first liquid is equal in natural period to the structure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
94 words
A device as recited in claim 19, further comprising, second baffling means for baffling another flow of the first liquid so as to prevent a sloshing phenomenon caused by resonance of the first liquid to the structure; moving means, mounted to the first tank, for vertically moving the second baffling means between a raised position and a lowered position at which the second baffling means is in the first liquid; and controlling means for detecting the sloshing phenomenon and then controlling the moving means to lower the second baffling means to the lowered position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as recited in claim 18, wherein the structure is a building, and wherein the first tank is disposed within the building.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as recited in claim 19, wherein the structure is a bridge having a plurality of towers, each tower having a top, and wherein the first tank is mounted on the top of at least one of the towers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as recited in claim 19, wherein the structure is a bridge having a reinforced girder, and wherein the first tank is mounted on the girder.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as recited in claim 19, wherein the first tank is provided in a plurality.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-15 | 1992-05-16 | 1992-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-15 | 1996-05-16 | 1996-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-15 | 2000-05-16 | 2000-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |