초록 ▼

A resonance engine is disclosed including: a driver plate, to which is coupled at least one oscillatory transducer; a drive signal generator connected to the oscillatory transducer for excitation thereof; a first spring-mass resonator, having a first natural resonant frequency, with a proximal end a

A resonance engine is disclosed including: a driver plate, to which is coupled at least one oscillatory transducer; a drive signal generator connected to the oscillatory transducer for excitation thereof; a first spring-mass resonator, having a first natural resonant frequency, with a proximal end attached to the driver plate and a free distal end; and a reaction means attached to the driver plate substantially opposite to the first spring-mass resonator. When the oscillatory transducer is excited by a drive signal from the generator having a component at or close to said natural resonant frequency, the first spring-mass resonator oscillates at resonance, substantially in anti-phase to the driver plate. Small vibrational strains in the oscillatory transducer are converted to large strains of controllable kinematic movements.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A resonance engine, comprising: a driver plate, to which is coupled at least one oscillatory transducer;a drive signal generator for generating an electrical signal, the drive signal generator being connected to the oscillatory transducer for excitation thereof;a first spring-mass resonator, havi

1. A resonance engine, comprising: a driver plate, to which is coupled at least one oscillatory transducer;a drive signal generator for generating an electrical signal, the drive signal generator being connected to the oscillatory transducer for excitation thereof;a first spring-mass resonator, having a first natural resonant frequency, including a first spring with a proximal end attached to the driver plate and a free distal end, and a discrete mass attached at or near the free distal end of the first spring; anda reaction means attached to the driver plate opposite to the first spring-mass resonator;wherein the reaction means comprises a second spring-mass resonator mounted symmetrically to the first spring-mass resonator on the driver plate, the second spring-mass resonator including a second spring with a proximal end attached to the driver plate and a free distal end, and a discrete mass attached at or near the free distal end of the second spring;wherein when the oscillatory transducer is excited by a drive signal from the drive signal generator having a component at said first natural resonant frequency, the first spring-mass resonator oscillates at resonance, in anti-phase to the driver plate; andwherein the spring-mass resonators are so tuned and arranged that torque force moments generated by the respective spring-mass resonators cancel each other out and cancel out torque force moments of the driver plate, thereby resulting in a system in which substantially all energy input to the driver plate is transmitted to the spring-mass resonators for deflection of the free distal ends thereof. 2. The resonance engine of claim 1, wherein the drive signal generator is adapted to generate electrical signals of variable harmonic content. 3. The resonance engine of claim 1, wherein the second spring-mass resonator, as measured in isolation, has a second natural resonant frequency, different to the first natural resonant frequency. 4. The resonance engine of claim 1, wherein the spring of the or each spring-mass resonator, together with the driver plate, comprises a Z-bend when viewed in the plane of the driver plate, the proximal end of the Z-bend being contiguous with the driver plate. 5. The resonance engine of claim 4, wherein the first spring-mass resonator further comprises a damper mounted at the free distal end of the first spring, thereby forming a first spring-mass-damper system. 6. The resonance engine of claim 1, wherein the driver plate and the or each spring are formed integrally with one another as a unitary piece. 7. The resonance engine of claim 1, wherein the oscillatory transducer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: a piezoelectric material; a dielectric elastomer material; an electromechanically active material; an electromagnetic-mechanically active material; a source of nuclear direct collected-charge-to-motion induced oscillation. 8. The resonance engine of claim 1, wherein the driver plate and the oscillatory transducer are formed integrally as a unitary piece. 9. A resonance engine, comprising: a driver plate, to which is coupled at least one oscillatory transducer;a drive signal generator for generating an electrical signal, the drive signal generator being connected to the oscillatory transducer for excitation thereof;a first spring-mass resonator, having a first natural resonant frequency, including a first spring with a proximal end attached to the driver plate and a free distal end; anda reaction means attached to the driver plate opposite to the first spring-mass resonator;wherein the reaction means comprises a second spring-mass resonator mounted symmetrically to the first spring-mass resonator on the driver plate, the second spring-mass resonator including a second spring with a proximal end attached to the driver plate and a free distal end;wherein when the oscillatory transducer is excited by a drive signal from the generator having a component at said first natural resonant frequency, the first spring-mass resonator oscillates at resonance, in anti-phase to the driver plate; andwherein the spring-mass resonators are so tuned and arranged that torque force moments generated by the respective spring-mass resonators cancel each other out and cancel out torque force moments of the driver plate, thereby resulting in a system in which substantially all energy input to the driver plate is transmitted to the spring-mass resonators for deflection of the free distal ends thereof;wherein the first spring-mass resonator further comprises a damper mounted at the free distal end of the first spring, thereby forming a first spring-mass-damper system;wherein the spring of the or each spring-mass resonator, together with the driver plate, comprises a Z-bend when viewed in the plane of the driver plate, the proximal end of the Z-bend being contiguous with the driver plate; andwherein the damper comprises a first wing. 10. The resonance engine of claim 9, wherein the second spring-mass resonator further comprises a damper mounted at the distal end of the second spring, thereby forming a second spring-mass-damper system. 11. The resonance engine of claim 10, wherein the damper of the second spring-mass-damper system comprises a second wing. 12. The resonance engine of claim 11, wherein the second wing of the second spring-mass-damper system is oriented in the same direction as the first wing of the first spring-mass-damper system. 13. The resonance engine of claim 11, wherein the wing of the second spring-mass-damper system is oriented in an opposite direction to the wing of the first spring-mass-damper system.