초록 ▼

A mechanical resonator has an electronically adjustable resonance frequency and is especially adapted to be used as a tunable vibration absorber. The mechanical resonator includes an inertial mass mounted on a free end of a spring, which is secured at its other end to the structure that is to be vib

A mechanical resonator has an electronically adjustable resonance frequency and is especially adapted to be used as a tunable vibration absorber. The mechanical resonator includes an inertial mass mounted on a free end of a spring, which is secured at its other end to the structure that is to be vibrationally damped. In order to vary the resonant frequency of the resonator, an electromechanical converter such as a piezoelectric element is connected to the spring and/or the inertial mass, and a displacement and/or acceleration sensor provides a sensor signal that is dependent on the respective displacement and/or acceleration of the spring and/or the inertial mass. An electronic control circuit generates an actuating signal based on the sensor signal. The actuating signal is applied to the electro-mechanical converter, which responsively exerts an adjusting force onto the spring and/or the inertial mass. The control circuit may include one or more variable amplifiers, inverters, and phase shifters, to control the actuating signal such that the adjusting force exerted by the electromechanical converter either counteracts or reinforces the bending force exerted by the inertial mass on the spring. In this manner, the effective total spring constant of the resonator can be increased or decreased relative to the inherent spring constant of the spring, whereby the resonant frequency is adjusted.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A mechanical resonator with a variable resonance frequency, comprising:a spring member rigidly supported at a first location;an inertial mass coupled to said spring member;an electromechanical converter coupled to at least one of said spring member and said inertial mass,

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A mechanical resonator with a variable resonance frequency, comprising:a spring member rigidly supported at a first location;an inertial mass coupled to said spring member;an electromechanical converter coupled to at least one of said spring member and said inertial mass, at a second location that is located on said spring member between said first location and said inertial mass or on said inertial mass;at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of displacement sensors and acceleration sensors coupled to at least one of said spring member and said inertial mass and adapted to sense, and provide a sensor output signal dependent on, at least one of a displacement and an acceleration of said at least one of said spring member and said inertial mass;an electronic control unit; andrespective electrical conductors connecting said at least one sensor to said electronic control unit and connecting said electronic control unit to said electromechanical converter;wherein said electronic control unit is adapted to provide to said electromechanical converter an actuation signal that is dependent on said sensor output signal; andwherein said electromechanical converter is adapted to exert a force, responsively to said actuation signal, at said second location onto said at least one of said spring member and said inertial mass to which said electromechanical converter is coupled, so as to vary a resonant frequency of a combination of said inertial mass coupled to said spring member.