Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A device for actively controlling the damping of vibration or sound from a flexible structure, comprising: a. a sensor layer in contact with the structure for detecting the vibration or sound of said structure, b. at least one vibration or sound damping layer, the vibration or sound damping layer in contact with the sensor layer and c. an active constraining layer, the active constraining layer in contact with said at least one vibration or sound damping layer for actively controlling the damping of vibration or sound in response to the detection from said sensor layer; wherein said active constraining layer is capable of being activated by a controller.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A device for actively controlling the damping of vibration or sound from a flexible structure, comprising: a. a sensor layer in contact with the structure for detecting the vibration or sound of said structure, b. at least one vibration or sound damping layer, the vibration or sound damping layer in contact with the sensor layer and c. an active constraining layer, the active constraining layer in contact with said at least one vibration or sound damping layer for actively controlling the damping of vibration or sound in response to the detection from said sensor layer; wherein said active constraining layer is capable of being activated by a controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor layer and the active constraining layer each comprises piezo-electric material and the damping layer or layers comprises visco-elastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the sensor layer and the active constraining layer each comprises polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for actively controlling the damping of vibration or sound from a flexible structure, comprising the steps of: a. attaching the device of claim 1 to the structure and b. activating the device to actively control the damping of vibration or sound from the structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for actively controlling the damping of vibration or sound from a flexible structure, comprising the steps of: a. attaching the device of claim 2 to the structure and b. activating the device to actively control the damping of vibration or sound from the structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for actively controlling the damping of vibration or sound from a flexible structure, comprising the steps of: a. attaching the device of claim 3 to the structure and b. activating the device to actively control the damping of vibration or sound from the structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 1, wherein first and second vibration or sound damping layers are provided, the first damping layer being sandwitched between the sensor layer and the active constraining layer, the second damping layer being in contact with the active constraining layer.