TUNABLE VISCOELASTIC NEUTRALIZER WITH OSCILLATING MASS ON SHAFT FOR CONTROL OF VIBRATIONS IN PIPES IN GENERAL

Abstract

A “TUNABLE VISCOELASTIC NEUTRALIZER WITH OSCILLATING MASS ON SHAFT FOR CONTROL OF VIBRATIONS IN PIPES IN GENERAL” is a dynamic viscoelastic vibration neutralizer for industrial pipes, consisting of a metallic housing (CAR), to which the shaft supports (SE1 and SE2) are fixed, by means of the use of the screws (PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4, PF5 and PF6), the supports of the viscoelastic pieces (SM1 and SM2) and the supports of the housing itself (SC1, SC2, SC3 and SC4), which allow the junction of the device with the system to be controlled; an oscillating mass (MAS), fixed in the center of a metallic shaft (EIX), which is supported by the shaft supports (SE1 and SE2); and two sets of viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2), which are fixed by one of their ends to the supports of the viscoelastic pieces (SM1 and SM2) and by the other to the oscillating mass (MAS).

Claims

1. A tunable viscoelastic neutralizer with oscillating mass on shaft for control of vibrations in pipes, characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical protective metallic housing (CAR) with three slots, for viewing and fixing the position of the shaft supports (SE1 and SE2); housing supports (SC1, SC2, SC3 and SC4), metallic, with a shape that allows the adjustment of the positioning between the NEUTRALIZER and the PIPE; shaft supports (SE1 and SE2), metallic, in the shape of a disk with a circular hole in its radial center for passing the shaft (EIX) and with three threads in the radial direction, located symmetrically on its external circular surface, with the purpose of fixing the support to the housing (CAR) by using six screws (PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4, PF5 and PF6), three for each of the two supports; a metallic cylindrical shaft (EIX), positioned in the radial and axial center of the housing (CAR), which supports the oscillating mass (MAS); an oscillating, metallic, cylindrical mass (MAS), with a circular hole in its radial shaft for the passage of the shaft (EIX), positioned in the axial center of the shaft (EIX), and with cylindrical grooves on both axial faces, to allow fixing the viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2); supports of the viscoelastic pieces (SM1 and SM2), metallic, disk-shaped, with a circular hole in its radial shaft to allow the deformation of the shaft (EIX) caused by the oscillation of the mass (MAS), and with cylindrical grooves on one axial face, to allow fixing the viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 or MV-2); and viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2), each piece consisting of two axially short metallic cylinders, in order to allow the fit in the cylindrical grooves present in the mass (MAS) and in the supports of the viscoelastic pieces (SM1 and SM2), and by an element of viscoelastic material, cylindrical, joining these two metallic cylinders.

2. The tunable viscoelastic neutralizer with oscillating mass on shaft for control of vibrations in pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that it is assembled in such a way that all parts are fixed in their positions, with the exception of the supports of the shaft (SE1 and SE2), which must be able to slide between the housing (CAR) and the shaft (EIX), their fixation being carried out by the screws (PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4, PF5 and PF6), arranged symmetrically, and this modification of the positioning of the shaft supports (SE1 and SE2) responsible for allowing the same neutralizing device to act in different ranges of vibration frequency, allowing it to be used and tuned in different situations.

3. The tunable viscoelastic neutralizer with oscillating mass on shaft for control of vibrations in pipes according to claims 1, characterized in that there is the variable number of viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2), provided that there is obeyed a radial symmetry regarding the positioning of these viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2) in relation to the oscillating mass (MAS), thus allowing the same device to serve different ranges of frequency of control of vibrations, also by changing the quantity of used viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2).

4. The tunable viscoelastic neutralizer with oscillating mass on shaft for control of vibrations in pipes according to claims 1, characterized in that it optionally uses the alternative housing supports SC11, SC21, SC31 and SC41) as a junction between the NEUTRALIZER and the PIPE that can replace or be used in combination with the housing supports (SC1, SC2, SC3 and SC4), seeking a better fixation between the NEUTRALIZER and the PIPE (system in vibration).

5. A method for controlling radial vibrations in pipes, the method being characterized in that it employs a viscoelastic neutralizer with oscillating mass as defined in any of the preceding claims and comprising the following sequence: when the vibrational movement of the pipe is initiated, in a determined frequency range of interest, which can occur in any radial directions of the pipe, these translational vibratory movements are transmitted by means of the housing supports (SC1, SC2, SC3 and SC4), housing (CAR), shaft supports (SE1 and SE2) and shaft (EIX), to the oscillating mass (MAS), which vibrates in the corresponding radial direction of movement and generates shear deformations predominant in the viscoelastic material elements present in the viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2), with dissipation of part of the vibration energy and the vibrational shaft (EIX) and oscillating mass (MAS) assembly, when tuned to the frequency range of the vibrating movement of the pipe, receives the vibrational energy that would act on the pipe, and, together with the viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2), not only dissipate but also redistribute this vibration energy, opposing the excitation efforts that act on the pipes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In agreement with what is illustrated in the figures below, the “TUNABLE VISCOELASTIC NEUTRALIZER WITH OSCILLATING MASS ON SHAFT FOR CONTROL OF VIBRATIONS IN PIPES IN GENERAL” contemplates a device for application in industrial pipelines, subject to unsatisfactory levels of mechanical vibrations, simply called a tunable viscoelastic neutralizer in pipes in general, which consists of a metallic housing (CAR) where the shaft supports (SE1 and SE2) are fixed, by means of the use of the screws (PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4, PF5 and PF6), the supports of the viscoelastic pieces (SM1 and SM2), which are fixed by mechanical interference or chemical adhesion, and the supports of the housing itself (SC1, SC2, SC3 and SC4), which allow the device to be joined to the system to be controlled; an oscillating mass (MAS), which represents the control mass of the neutralizer, and is fixed by mechanical interference or adhesion on a metallic shaft (EIX), which holds a considerable part of the neutralizer control elasticity, being supported by the shaft supports (SE1 and SE2); the two sets of viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2), which are symmetrically mounted on the device, between the supports of the viscoelastic pieces (SM1 and SM2) and the oscillating mass (MAS), and secured by chemical adhesion or other preferred means.

[0024] The viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2) consist of two cylindrical metallic discs, with a cylindrical layer of viscoelastic material between both discs, adhered to them through a process of direct vulcanization and injection. Each metallic disk of the viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2) is fixed to a respective support (SM1 and SM2) and to the oscillating mass (MAS). This assembly allows the viscoelastic material to work in shear deformations, which ensures greater effectiveness in using its dynamic properties for the device performance.

[0025] The number of viscoelastic pieces (MV-1 and MV-2) and their constructive geometry directly influence the damping, in addition to contributing significantly to the stiffness values associated with the neutralizer. The shaft supports (SE1 and SE2) are movable, being able to slide freely on the shaft (EIX), respecting the possible positioning limit of the screws (PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4, PF5 and PF6) for fixing the position of the supports (SE1 and SE2). This fixing position has a significant influence on the stiffness of the shaft (EIX), which makes an important contribution to the dynamic characteristics of the neutralizer. Furthermore, the values of the oscillating mass (MAS) are also effectively important for the behavior of the neutralizer. The abovementioned factors define, to a greater or lesser extent, the characteristic or specific frequencies of the neutralizers, which can be varied according to the interests of controlling the vibrations in question, provided that the constructive principle of shear prevailing in the viscoelastic components is respected.

[0026] Thus, it can be seen, from the disclosure, that the “TUNABLE VISCOELASTIC NEUTRALIZER WITH OSCILLATING MASS ON SHAFT FOR CONTROL OF VIBRATIONS IN PIPES IN GENERAL” is characterized as a device for industrial pipelines, as can be evidenced by the carried-out analyses and by the shown figures, having significant differences regarding the traditional vibration control devices existing in the sectorial market, in addition to constructive and functional technical features quite different from those corresponding to the state of the art.

[0027] Due to the offered advantages, and also for encompassing truly innovative features that meet all the requirements of novelty and originality in the genre, the “TUNABLE VISCOELASTIC NEUTRALIZER WITH OSCILLATING MASS ON SHAFT FOR CONTROL OF VIBRATIONS IN PIPES IN GENERAL” presented herein fulfills the necessary and sufficient conditions to deserve the privilege of a Patent of Invention.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0028] FIG. 1—Shows a top and front view of the tunable viscoelastic neutralizer with oscillating mass on shaft for vibration control in pipes in general, where it is seen in an exploded view, consisting of: a housing (CAR), an oscillating mass (MAS), one shaft (EIX), six viscoelastic pieces (MV-1), six viscoelastic pieces (MV-2), two supports of the viscoelastic pieces (SM1 and SM2), two shaft supports (SE1 and SE2), six screws of fixing the shaft supports (PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4, PF5 and PF6) and four housing supports (SC1, SC2, SC3 and SC4), which join the device with the pipes (system in vibration).

[0029] FIG. 2—Shows an exploded top and front view of the tunable viscoelastic neutralizer for pipes in general, contained in FIG. 1, highlighting the following components: the oscillating mass (MAS), the six viscoelastic pieces (MV-1), the six viscoelastic pieces (MV-2), and the two supports of the viscoelastic pieces (SM1 and SM2).

[0030] FIG. 3—Shows a top and front view, highlighting the following components of the tunable viscoelastic neutralizer for pipes in general: a shaft support (SE1/SE2), and their respective fixing screws in the housing (PF1/PF4, PF2/PF5 and PF3/PF6).

[0031] FIG. 4—Shows a highlighted exploded top and front view of the viscoelastic pieces (MV-1/MV-2) of the tunable viscoelastic neutralizer for pipes in general, with its subcomponents: two cylindrical disks (DCM) and a cylindrical element of viscoelastic material (MVE).

[0032] FIG. 5—Shows alternative housing supports in a top and front view, referred to as SC11, SC21, SC31 and SC41, as shown in FIG. 5(a), which can be used instead of or combined with the housing supports SC1, SC2, SC3 and SC4, already with “U”-type metallic clamps, for direct fixing of the neutralizer in the pipe (system in vibration). FIG. 5(b) shows, in an exploded top and front view, that the alternative housing supports consist of bases, SC11-S, SC21-S, SC31-S and SC41-S, clamps, SC11-U, SC21-U, SC31-U and SC41-U and fixing threads, SC11-R1, SC11-R2, SC11-R3, SC11-R4, SC21-R1, SC21-R2, SC21-R3, SC21-R4, SC31-R1, SC31-R2, SC31-R3, SC31-R4, SC41-R1, SC41-R2, SC41-R3 and SC21-R4.

[0033] FIG. 6—Shows a top and front view of the tunable viscoelastic neutralizer for pipes in general, as shown in FIG. 1; however, here FIG. 6(a) shows an external view of the fully assembled neutralizer and FIG. 6(b) shows the neutralizer assembled, with its hidden edges. FIG. 6(c) shows the neutralizer assembled using the alternative housing supports.