Compact vibration damper
View Patent ↗A vibration damper includes a rigid base with a mass coupled thereto for linear movement thereon. Springs coupled to the mass compress in response to the linear movement along either of two opposing directions. A converter coupled to the mass converts the linear movement to a corresponding rotational movement. A rotary damper coupled to the converter damps the rotational movement.
1. A vibration damper, comprising:
a rigid base;
a mass coupled to said base for linear movement thereon; a first spring coupled to said mass, said first spring compressing in response to said linear movement along a first direction;
a second spring coupled to said mass, said second spring compressing in response to said linear movement along a second direction that is opposite to said first direction;
a rotary damper; and
a converter coupled between said mass and said rotary damper, for converting said linear movement to a corresponding rotational movement, wherein said rotational movement is damped by said rotary damper.
2. A vibration damper as in claim 1 , further comprising at least one ballast weight rigidly coupled to said base.
3. A vibration damper as in claim 1 , wherein said mass is adjustable in amount.
4. A vibration damper as in claim 1 , wherein said first spring and said second spring have spring rates that are equal.
5. A vibration damper as in claim 1 , wherein said damping provided by said rotary damper comprises viscous damping.
6. A vibration damper, comprising: a rigid base; a slider assembly including a linear rail rigidly coupled to said base and a block slidingly coupled to said linear rail wherein said block is capable of and constrained to linear movement along said linear rail; a mass coupled to said block; a first spring coupled to said base and said block, said first spring compressing in response to said linear movement along a first direction; a second spring coupled to said base and said block, said second spring compressing in response to said linear movement along a second direction that is opposite to said first direction; a converter coupled to said block for converting said linear movement to a corresponding rotational movement; and a rotary damper coupled to said converter for viscously damping said rotational movement.
7. A vibration damper as in claim 6 , further comprising at least one ballast weight rigidly coupled to said base.
8. A vibration damper as in claim 6 , wherein said mass is adjustable in amount.
9. A vibration damper as in claim 6 , wherein said first spring and said second spring have spring rates that are equal.
10. A vibration damper, comprising:
a rigid U-shaped bracket having opposing legs extending from a flat base;
a slider assembly including a linear rail rigidly coupled to said flat base and a block slidingly coupled to said linear rail wherein said block is capable of and constrained to linear movement along said linear rail;
a support housing coupled to said block wherein said linear movement of said block is imparted to said support housing;
a mass coupled to said support housing;
a first spring coupled between a first of said opposing legs and said one side of said support housing, said first spring compressing in response to said linear movement along a first direction; a second spring coupled between a second of said opposing legs and another side of said support housing, said second spring compressing in response to said linear movement along a second direction that is opposite to said first direction;
a converter coupled to said flat base and said support housing for converting said linear movement to a corresponding rotational movement; and
a rotary damper coupled to said converter for viscously damping said rotational movement.
11. A vibration damper as in claim 10 , further comprising at least one ballast weight rigidly coupled to said flat base.
12. A vibration damper as in claim 10 , wherein said mass is adjustable in amount.
13. A vibration damper as in claim 10 , wherein said first spring and said second spring have spring rates that are equal.
14. A vibration damper as in claim 10 , further comprising a support rod fixed to each of said opposing legs and extending through said support housing wherein said support housing moves relative to said support rod during said linear movement.
15. A vibration damper as in claim 14 , wherein said first spring and said second spring are disposed about said support rod.
16. A vibration damper as in claim 15 , wherein said first spring and said second spring have spring rates that are equal.