VIBRATION ABSORBER
A vibration absorber is disclosed includes a magnetic static ring and magnetic dynamic mass positioned within the magnetic static ring. The magnetic dynamic mass is translatable radially away from an equilibrium position relative to the magnetic static ring. The vibration absorber further includes a plurality of elastic elements positioned to resist radial translation of the magnetic dynamic mass away from the equilibrium position. The radial translation of the magnetic dynamic mass away from the equilibrium position is aided by magnetic attraction between the magnetic static ring and the magnetic dynamic mass. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic static ring and the magnetic dynamic mass softens the resistance imparted by the elastic elements (e.g., springs) on the magnetic dynamic mass as the magnetic dynamic mass translates radially away from the equilibrium position.
1 . A vibration absorber comprising:
a base;
a magnetic dynamic mass translatable relative to the base, the magnetic dynamic mass having an equilibrium position relative to the base;
a first elastic element having a first elastic element proximal end secured to the magnetic dynamic mass, and a first elastic element distal end opposite the first elastic element proximal end, the first elastic element extending from the first elastic element proximal end in a first direction to the first elastic element distal end; and
a second elastic element having a second elastic element proximal end secured to the magnetic dynamic mass, and a second elastic element distal end opposite the second elastic element proximal end, the second elastic element extending from the second elastic element proximal end in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to the second elastic element distal end; and
a first static magnetic portion positioned away from the first elastic element proximal end; and
a second static magnetic portion positioned away from the second elastic element proximal end;
wherein translation of the magnetic dynamic mass in the first direction away from the equilibrium position is resisted by one of the first and the second elastic elements and aided by magnetic attraction between the first static magnetic portion and the magnetic dynamic mass, and
wherein translation of the magnetic dynamic mass in the second direction away from the equilibrium position is resisted by the other of the first and second elastic elements and aided by magnetic attraction between the second static magnetic portion and the magnetic dynamic mass.
2 . The vibration absorber of claim 1 , wherein the first elastic element is configured to exert only tensile force on the magnetic dynamic mass, and the second elastic element is configured to exert only tensile force on the magnetic dynamic mass.
3 . The vibration absorber of claim 2 , wherein the first elastic element comprises a first extension spring having a first spring proximal end secured to the magnetic dynamic mass to act only in tension, and a first spring distal end opposite the first spring proximal end, and wherein the second elastic element comprises a second extension spring having a second spring proximal end secured to the magnetic dynamic mass to act only in tension, and a second spring distal end opposite the second spring proximal end.
4 . The vibration absorber of claim 3 , wherein:
the translation of the magnetic dynamic mass in the first direction away from the equilibrium position is resisted by tension in the second extension spring and aided by the magnetic attraction between the first static magnetic portion and the magnetic dynamic mass, and
the translation of the magnetic dynamic mass in the second direction away from the equilibrium position is resisted by tension in the first extension spring and aided by the magnetic attraction between the second static magnetic portion and the magnetic dynamic mass.
5 . The vibration absorber of claim 4 , wherein:
the tension in the first extension spring exerts a first tensile force on the magnetic dynamic mass,
the tension in the second extension spring exerts a second tensile force on the magnetic dynamic mass,
the magnetic attraction between the first static magnetic portion and the magnetic dynamic mass exerts a first magnetic force on the magnetic dynamic mass,
the magnetic attraction between the second static magnetic portion and the magnetic dynamic mass exerts a second magnetic force on the magnetic dynamic mass,
the first tensile force exceeds the second magnetic force, and
the second tensile force exceeds the first magnetic force.
6 . The vibration absorber of claim 1 , wherein the first spring distal end is secured to the base, and the second spring distal end is secured to the base.
7 . The vibration absorber of claim 1 , further comprising a first static magnet having the first static magnetic portion, and a second static magnet having the second static magnetic portion, wherein each of the first and second static magnets is oriented to produce a magnetic field that attracts the magnetic dynamic mass.
8 . The vibration absorber of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic dynamic mass comprises at least one dynamic magnet, wherein the at least one dynamic magnet is oriented to produce a magnetic field that attracts the first and second static magnetic portions.
9 . The vibration absorber of claim 3 , wherein the magnetic dynamic mass comprises a spring mount secured to each of the first and second spring proximal ends.
10 . The vibration absorber of claim 9 , wherein the spring mount includes a cage, and each of the first and second spring proximal ends has a head that is trapped within the cage.
11 . (canceled)
12 . A vibration absorber comprising
a circular magnetic static ring;
a magnetic dynamic mass positioned within the magnetic static ring and translatable radially away from an equilibrium position relative to the magnetic static ring;
a plurality of elastic elements positioned to resist radial translation of the magnetic dynamic mass away from the equilibrium position,
wherein the radial translation of the magnetic dynamic mass away from the equilibrium position is aided by magnetic attraction between the magnetic static ring and the magnetic dynamic mass.
13 . The vibration absorber of claim 12 , wherein each of the elastic elements is configured to exert only tensile force on the magnetic dynamic mass.
14 . The vibration absorber of claim 13 , wherein each of the elastic elements comprises an extension spring having a proximal end secured to the magnetic dynamic mass to act only in tension, and a distal end opposite the proximal end.
15 . The vibration absorber of claim 14 , wherein the magnetic dynamic mass comprises a spring mount secured to the proximal end of each of the extension springs, and wherein the spring mount includes a cage, and the proximal end of each of the extension springs has a head that is trapped within the cage.
16 . The vibration absorber of claim 14 , further comprising a base upon which the magnetic dynamic mass is translatable relative to the magnetic static ring.
17 . The vibration absorber of claim 16 , wherein the distal end of each of the extension springs is secured to the base.
18 . The vibration absorber of claim 12 , wherein the magnetic dynamic mass comprises at least one dynamic magnet, the at least one dynamic magnet being oriented to produce a magnetic field that attracts the magnetic static ring.
19 . The vibration absorber of claim 12 , wherein the magnetic static ring comprises a plurality of static magnets, each of the static magnets being oriented to produce a magnetic field that attracts the magnetic dynamic mass.
20 . The vibration absorber of claim 14 , wherein:
the extension springs exert a collective tensile force on the magnetic dynamic mass to resist the radial translation of the magnetic dynamic mass away from the equilibrium position,
the magnetic attraction between the magnetic static ring and the magnetic dynamic mass exerts a magnetic force on the magnetic dynamic mass to aid the radial translation of the magnetic dynamic mass away from the equilibrium position, and
the collective tensile force exceeds the magnetic force.
21 . The vibration absorber of claim 4 , further comprising:
a third extension spring having a third spring proximal end secured to the magnetic dynamic mass to act only in tension, and a third spring distal end opposite the third spring proximal end;
a fourth extension spring having a fourth spring proximal end secured to the magnetic dynamic mass to act only in tension, and a fourth spring distal end opposite the fourth spring proximal end;
a third static magnetic portion positioned away from the third spring proximal end; and
a fourth static magnetic portion positioned away from the fourth spring proximal end,
wherein translation of the magnetic dynamic mass in a third direction away from the equilibrium position is resisted by tension in the fourth extension spring and aided by magnetic attraction with the third static magnetic portion,
wherein translation of the magnetic dynamic mass in a fourth direction, opposite the third direction, away from the equilibrium position is resisted by tension in the third extension spring and aided by magnetic attraction with the fourth static magnetic portion, and
wherein the third and fourth directions are transverse to the first and second directions.