ARCUATE COMMON VERTEX AND DUAL ARCUATE COMMON VERTEX SPRING DAMPER SYSTEMS

Abstract

The disclosed invention is a novel method for constructing an Arcuate Common Vertex Spring Damper System, that can either be used as a single spring for a torsional vibration application or be used in pairs as a Dual Arcuate Common Vertex Spring Dampers System. Both these constructions yield significant improvements over the conventional Common Vertex and Dual Common Vertex seen in prior art, such as promoting a radially tighter packaging envelop, allowing the resulting device to be tuned across a greater torsional frequency range, and improving the modal decoupling response of the resulting device.

Claims

1. An Arcuate Common Vertex Spring Damper System (ACV-SDS) comprising: a first arcuate, radially oriented, annular surface having a first radial periphery proximate to the Axial Center Line (ACL) of the ACV-SDS, and a second radial periphery distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a second arcuate, radially oriented, annular surface offset from the first arcuate, radially oriented, annular surface, having a third radial periphery proximate to the ACL of the ACV-SDS, and a fourth radial periphery distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a third axially oriented surface that bounds the first and the second arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their first and third radial peripheries respectively; and a fourth axially oriented surface that bounds the first and the second arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their second and fourth radial peripheries respectively; wherein the first and the second arcuate radially oriented, annular surfaces share a coincidental Arcuate Common Vertex (ACV), and a mutual Point of Tangency (POT) located at the ACL.

2. The ACV-SDS of claim 1 where the construction material is a thermoset elastomer.

3. The ACV-SDS of claim 1 where the construction material is a thermoplastic elastomer.

4. The ACV-SDS of claim 1 where the construction material is a synthetic polymer.

5. A Torsional Vibration Damper (TVD) including the ACV-SDS of claim 1.

6. A Dual Arcuate Common Vertex Spring Damper System (DACV-SDS) comprising: a first ACV-SDS further including, a first arcuate, radially oriented, annular surface having a first radial periphery proximate to the ACL of the ACV-SDS, and a second radial periphery distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a second arcuate, radially oriented, annular surface offset from the first arcuate, radially oriented, annular surface, having a third radial periphery proximate to the ACL of the ACV-SDS, and a fourth radial periphery distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a third axially oriented surface that bounds the first and the second arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their first and third radial peripheries respectively; and a fourth axially oriented surface that bounds the first and the second arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their second and fourth radial peripheries respectively; wherein the first and the second arcuate radially oriented, annular surfaces share a coincidental ACV), and a POT located at the ACL; a second ACV-SDS that is axially offset a finite distance from the first ACV-SDS further including, a first arcuate, radially oriented, annular surface having a first radial periphery proximate to the ACL of the ACV-SDS, and a second radial periphery distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a second arcuate, radially oriented, annular surface offset from the first arcuate, radially oriented, annular surface, having a third radial periphery proximate to the ACL of the ACV-SDS, and a fourth radial periphery distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a third axially oriented surface that bounds the first and the second arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their first and third radial peripheries respectively; and a fourth axially oriented surface that bounds the first and the second arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their second and fourth radial peripheries respectively; wherein the first and the second arcuate radially oriented, annular surfaces share a coincidental ACV, and a POT located at the ACL;

7. The ACV-SDS of claim 6 where the construction material is a thermoset elastomer.

8. The ACV-SDS of claim 6 where the construction material is a thermoplastic elastomer.

9. The ACV-SDS of claim 6 where the construction material is a synthetic polymer.

10. A TVD including the ACV-SDS of claim 6.

11. A Compound Dual Arcuate Common Vertex Spring Damper System (DACV-SDS) comprising: a first ACV-SDS further including a first plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces, each having a first plurality of radial peripheries proximate to the ACL of the ACV-SDS, and a second plurality of radial peripheries distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a second plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces offset from the first plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces, having a third plurality of radial peripheries proximate to the ACL of the ACV-SDS, and a fourth plurality of radial peripheries distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a third plurality of axially oriented surfaces that each bound the first plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces and the second plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their first and third plurality of radial peripheries respectively; and a fourth plurality of axially oriented surfaces that each bound the first plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces and the second plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their second and fourth plurality of radial peripheries respectively; wherein the first and the second compound arcuate radially oriented, annular surfaces share a coincidental ACV, and a POT located at the ACL; a second ACV-SDS that is axially offset a finite distance from the first ACV-SDS further including, a first plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces, each having a first plurality of radial periphery proximate to the ACL of the ACV-SDS, and a second plurality of radial periphery distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a second plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces having a first plurality of radial periphery proximate to the ACL of the ACV-SDS, and a second plurality of radial periphery distal to the ACL of the ACV-SDS; a third plurality of axially oriented surfaces that each bound the first plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces and the second plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their first plurality of radial peripheries respectively; and a fourth plurality of axially oriented surfaces that each bound the first plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces and the second plurality of arcuate, radially oriented, annular surfaces at their second plurality of radial peripheries respectively; wherein the first and the second compound arcuate radially oriented, annular surfaces share a coincidental ACV, and a POT located at the ACL;

12. The ACV-SDS of claim 11 where the construction material is a thermoset elastomer.

13. The ACV-SDS of claim 11 where the construction material is a thermoplastic elastomer.

14. The ACV-SDS of claim 11 where the construction material is a synthetic polymer.

15. A TVD including the ACV-SDS of claim 11.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of a prior art TVD with a radial construction.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of a prior art TVD with a radial construction employing dual springs.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of a prior art TVD with a radial CV design where the elastomer has a surface orthogonal to the ACL on the hub side and a surface inclined to the ACL on the ring side.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of a prior art TVD with a radial CV design where the elastomer has both of its surfaces (on the hub and the ring side) inclined to the ACL.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a TVD where the ACV-SDS comprises of a concave and a convex surface.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a TVD where the ACV-SDS comprises of two concave surfaces.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a TVD where the DACV-SDS comprises of two ACV-SDSs each comprising of concave and a convex surface and oriented with their concave surfaces being axially proximate.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a TVD where the DACV-SDS comprises of two ACV-SDSs each with a concave and a convex surface and oriented with their convex surfaces being axially proximate.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a TVD where the DACV-SDS comprises of two ACV-SDSs each with a concave and a convex surface and oriented with one concave and one convex surface being axially proximate.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a TVD where the DACV-SDS comprises of two ACV-SDSs each with two concave surfaces.

[0030] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a TVD where the DACV-SDS comprises of two compound ACV-SDSs each comprising of a plurality of smaller sections having a compound concave and a compound convex surface oriented with their compound concave surfaces being axially proximate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a TVD including an embodiment of the invention comprising of an ACV-SDS 3e that is bonded to a metallic hub 1e and a metallic ring 2e on its axial peripheries. The axially bounding arcuate surface of ACV-SDS 31e that is bonded to hub 1e is concave; while the axially bounding arcuate surface of ACV-SDS 32e that is bonded to ring 2e is convex. Arcuate surfaces 31e and 32e when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form a coincidental ACV and a POT 33e at ACL 4e. The relative positions of hub 1e and ring 2e may be switched mutually to obtain the same geometry of ACV-SDS 3e.

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a TVD including another embodiment of the invention comprising of an ACV-SDS 3f that is bonded to a metallic hub if and a metallic ring 2f on its axial proximities. Both the axially bounding arcuate surfaces of ACV-SDS 31f and 32f are concave. These arcuate surfaces 31f and 32f when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form a coincidental ACV and a POT 33f at ACL 4f. The relative positions of the hub if and the ring 2f may be switched mutually to obtain the same geometry of ACV-SDS 3f.

[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a TVD including another embodiment of the invention using a DACV-SDS comprising of two identical pre-molded ACV-SDSs 3g and 3g that axially bound hub 1g on either side and are axially bounded by a two-piece compound ring 35g and 36g. The TVD is held together by a plurality of shoulder bolts 5g. Such a construction is essentially non-bonded and behaves like two ACV-SDSs working in parallel. ACV-SDSs are such that the arcuate surfaces 31g and 32g of ACV-SDS 3g when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33g at ACL 4g. Similarly, arcuate surfaces 31g and 32g of ACV-SDS 3g when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33g at ACL 4g. Furthermore, ACV-SDS 3g has one concave surface 31g and one convex surface 32g, and ACV-SDS 3g has one concave surface 31g and one convex surface 32g. The concave surfaces and 31g and 31g are mutually axially proximate.

[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a TVD including another embodiment of the invention using a DACV-SDS comprising of two identical pre-molded ACV-SDSs 3h and 3h that axially bound hub 1h on either side and are axially bounded by a two-piece compound ring 35h and 36h. The TVD is held together by a plurality of shoulder bolts 5h. Such a construction is essentially non-bonded and behaves like two ACV-SDSs working in parallel. ACV-SDSs are such that arcuate surfaces 31h and 32h of ACV-SDS 3h when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33h at ACL 4h. Similarly, arcuate surfaces 31h and 32h of ACV-SDS 3h when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33h at ACL 4h. Furthermore, ACV-SDS 3h has one concave surface 31h and one convex surface 32h, and ACV-SDS 3h has one concave surface 31h and one convex surface 32h. The convex surfaces and 31h and 31h are mutually axially proximate.

[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates a TVD including another embodiment of the invention using a DACV-SDS comprising of two identical pre-molded ACV-SDSs 3i and 3i that axially bound hub 1i on either side and are axially bounded by a two-piece compound ring 35i and 36i. The TVD is held together by a plurality of shoulder bolts 5i. Such a construction is essentially non-bonded and behaves like two ACV-SDSs working in parallel. ACV-SDSs are such that arcuate surfaces 31i and 32i of ACV-SDS 3i when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33i at ACL 4i. Similarly, arcuate surfaces 31i and 32i of ACV-SDS 3i when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33i at ACL 4i. Furthermore, ACV-SDS 3i has one concave surface 31i and one convex surface 32i, and ACV-SDS 3i has one concave surface 31i and one convex surface 32i. The concave surface 31i and convex surface 31i are mutually axially proximate.

[0036] FIG. 10 illustrates a TVD including another embodiment of the invention using a DACV-SDS comprising of two identical pre-molded ACV-SDSs 3j and 3j that axially bound hub 1j on either side and are axially bounded by a two-piece compound ring 35j and 36j. The TVD is held together by a plurality of shoulder bolts 5j. Such a construction is essentially non-bonded and behaves like two ACV-SDSs working in parallel. ACV-SDSs are such that arcuate surfaces 31j and 32j of ACV-SDS 3j when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33j at ACL 4j. Similarly, arcuate surfaces 31j and 32j of ACV-SDS 3j when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33j at ACL 4j. Furthermore, ACV-SDS 3j has both axially bounding surfaces 31j and 32j concave, and ACV-SDS 3i has both axially bounding surfaces 31j and 32j concave. The concave surface 31j and concave surface 31j are mutually axially proximate.

[0037] FIG. 11 illustrates a TVD including another embodiment of the invention using a DACV-SDS comprising of two identical compound ACV-SDSs 3k and 3k that comprise of a plurality of pre-molded ring segments including but not limited to O-rings, X-rings, Square-rings etc. that axially bound hub 1k on either side and are axially bounded by a two-piece compound ring 35k and 36k. The TVD is held together by a plurality of shoulder bolts 5k. Such a construction is essentially non-bonded and behaves like two compound ACV-SDSs working in parallel. ACV-SDSs are such that compound arcuate surfaces 31k and 32k of compound ACV-SDS 3k when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33k at ACL 4k. Similarly, compound arcuate surfaces 31k and 32k of compound ACV-SDS 3k when extended along their non-linear arcuate paths form an ACV and a POT 33k at ACL 4k. Furthermore, compound ACV-SDS 3k has one compound concave surface 31k and one compound convex surface 32k, and compound ACV-SDS 3k has one compound concave surface 31k and one compound convex surface 32k. The compound concave surfaces 31k and 31k are mutually axially proximate.

[0038] The advantages yielded by ACV-SDS over the conventional CV constructions and by the DACV-SDS over the conventional DCV constructions are primarily due to the ability to alter the geometry of the ACV-SDS and the DACV-SDS. The consequence of this flexibility allows: (1) packaging the TVD resulting in a smaller radial envelope; (2) a greater range for tuning the torsional frequency of the resulting TVD; and (3) improved modal decoupling of the torsional vibratory mode shape of the resulting TVD; while simultaneously not compromising the advantages yielded by the CV and DCV constructions i.e. a uniform strain buildup through the elastomer section due to the radial cross-sectional area of the ACV-SDS and DACV-SDS increasing proportionately with their radial distance from the ACL.

[0039] The reasoning for these three advantages is the increased flexibility of the invention's geometry that allows the elastomer to be inclined to the ACL through an angle of 0 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0040] The non-limiting TVD examples provided above are only a small subset of designs that can benefit from the ACV-SDSs and the DACV-SDSs. In fact, any TVD that currently utilizes a CV or DCV design such as those disclosed with respect to the prior art FIGS. 1-4, can take advantage of the invention disclosed herein.