The present invention provides a method and apparatus for energy absorption and vibrational dampening when attached to a vertical or horizontal structure. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a closed housing which may preferably include an internal, curved surface. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention may include at least one dampening weight or sphere which may preferably be disposed within the closed housing. According to a further preferred embodiment, the dampening sphere may include internal baffling such as particles having resistance to the flow of the particles within the closed housing.

In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a particle damper for damping a component when the particle damper is attached to the component. The particle damper comprises a plurality of pockets configured to hold a plurality of particles, and the particle damper also comprises an attachment fitting for coupling the particle damper to the component.

An assembly for damping the movement of a vibrating body includes an energy dissipating material, a vessel, and a seal. The energy dissipating material may include one or more types of loose particles. The loose particles may include similar and/or dissimilar materials or a mixture thereof. The loose particles may at least partially fill the vessel. The vessel may be configured to conform to requirements of an environment of the vibrating body and to retain and/or store the loose particles. The seal may include a molded material, a plate, and/or a flange. In an embodiment, the plate may be at least partially encompassed within the seal, and the seal, plate, and/or flange may be configured to engage the vessel and/or to retain the loose particles within the vessel.

A high-speed tool holder includes: a tool shaft for accommodating a tool at its first end, and a machine clamping part which is integrally connected to the tool shaft and forms an interface for clamping in the machine; with the tool shaft being substantially truncated circular cone-shaped, a first diameter at the first end with the tool insertion opening being smaller than a fifth diameter at the second end at the machine clamping part; and a portion of the substantially truncated circular cone-shaped tool shaft having an outwardly bulging, preferably spherical, shape between the tool insertion opening and the machine clamping part.

Disclosed are devices and methods for reducing resonant vibrations in impact tools. The embodiments disclosed herein include the use of certain particles positioned within an impact tool, such as a drumstick, for converting the energy of vibration to heat energy resulting from collisions between the particles.

A dynamic balancing apparatus includes a dynamic balancing assembly and a plurality of damping particles. The dynamic balancing assembly includes at least two structural members separately arranged on a rotating shaft connected to a rotor, wherein each structural member includes at least one recess portion. The plurality of damping particles are introduced into at least one recess portion of each structural member, such that a centroid of each structural member deviates from the axis. Accordingly, each structural member generates inertial force and moment of inertia as rotation of the rotor to offset another inertial force and moment of inertia generated by centroid deviation of the rotor while rotating to achieve dynamic balance. The plurality of damping particles can move in the recess portion as rotation of the rotor to induce friction and collision so as to achieve the effects of vibration reduction and noise reduction.

Systems and methods for reducing vibration in downhole tools using particle dampers. In one embodiment, an ESP system has components including at least a pump and a motor. The motor is coupled to the pump and is configured to drive the pump to pump fluid from a well. The ESP system also includes a particle damping unit which is mechanically coupled to at least one of the ESP components. The particle damping unit has one or more compartments, each of which contains a collection of particles that are loose within the corresponding compartment. Vibration in the ESP components causes movement of the particles within the compartments of the particle damping units, and the movement of the particles dissipates the vibrational energy, causing damping of the vibration.

Disclosed are devices and methods for reducing resonant vibrations in impact tools. The embodiments disclosed herein include the use of certain particles positioned within an impact tool, such as a hammer, for converting the energy of vibration to heat energy resulting from collisions between the particles.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for energy absorption and vibrational dampening when attached to a vertical or horizontal structure. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a closed housing which may preferably include an internal, curved surface. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention may include at least one dampening weight or sphere which may preferably be disposed within the closed housing. According to a further preferred embodiment, the dampening sphere may include internal baffling such as particles having resistance to the flow of the particles within the closed housing.

An energy absorption system, for absorbing an impact energy imparted to a subject upon landing on a surface, includes a mass containment vessel fixed to the subject and a plurality of electromagnets disposed at fixed positions relative to the mass containment vessel. The mass containment vessel may contain one or more mass elements movably disposed therein. A controller may be configured to charge one or more of the electromagnets upon an impact of the subject with the surface to move the mass element(s) toward the surface by electromagnetic force. Alternatively, the energy absorption system may include a pulley system operable to mechanically move one or more mass elements along an axis, a multi-axis joint connecting the pulley system to the subject, and a controller configured to operate the pulley system upon an impact of the subject with the surface to mechanically move the mass element(s) toward the surface.