STRUCTURAL DAMPER FOR PROTECTING STRUCTURES AGAINST VIBRATIONS AND STRUCTURE COMPRISING SUCH A STRUCTURAL DAMPER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a structural damper 1 for protecting structures against vibrations, comprising a first pendulum 3 having a first pendulum mass 3a, a second pendulum 4 having a second pendulum mass 4a, a coupling device 5 and a damping device 6. The coupling device 5 is disposed between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a, and is configured to couple the first pendulum mass 3a to the second pendulum mass 4a in an effective direction of the structural damper 1 and to allow relative movement between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a in a direction of movement angled with respect to the effective direction. The damping device 6 is disposed between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a, and is configured to damp relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a.

Claims

1. A structural damper for protecting structures against vibrations, comprising: a first pendulum with a first pendulum mass; a second pendulum with a second pendulum mass; a coupling device; and a damping device, wherein the coupling device is arranged between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass and is configured to couple the first pendulum mass to the second pendulum mass in an effective direction of the structural damper and to allow relative movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in a direction of movement angled to the effective direction, wherein the damping device is arranged between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass and is designed to damp the relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass (4a), wherein the coupling device comprises a guide element, characterized in that the coupling device has an end stop which is formed in such a way that the relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass is limited, wherein the end stop is integrated into the guide element.

2. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the effective direction of the structural damper has a horizontal component or is in the horizontal direction.

3. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the direction of movement has a vertical component or is in the vertical direction.

4. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pendulum is a suspended pendulum, a suspended pendulum having a rope suspension, or a pendulum rod suspension.

5. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the second pendulum is an inverted pendulum, in particular a standing pendulum.

6. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pendulum mass is arranged below or above the second pendulum mass in the direction of movement.

7. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device is arranged in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass.

8. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that that the coupling device is integrated into the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass.

9. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide element is acting in and/or being arranged in the direction of movement.

10. (canceled)

11. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device comprises an active stop device which is designed to limit and to change, optionally during a state of use of the structural damper, a maximum possible relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass.

12. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device is arranged in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass.

13. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device is arranged laterally on the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass in the direction of movement.

14. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device is integrated into the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass.

15. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device has linear-viscous, non-linear-viscous or active damping properties.

16. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device comprises a passive hydraulic damper, a semi-active hydraulic damper, an eddy current damper and/or an active element, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator.

17. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural damper comprises a stiffness device arranged between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass to stiffen the relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass.

18. The structural damper according to claim 17, characterized in that the stiffness device is arranged in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass.

19. The structural damper according to claim 17, characterized in that the stiffness device is arranged laterally on the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass in the direction of movement.

20. The structural damper according to claim 17, characterized in that the stiffness device is integrated into the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass.

21. The structural damper according to claim 17, characterized in that the stiffness device comprises a passive spring, a semi-active hydraulic damper and/or an active element, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator.

22. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pendulum is designed as a transversal pendulum or physical pendulum.

23. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the second pendulum is designed as a transversal pendulum or physical pendulum.

24. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the second pendulum has a pendulum rod.

25. The structural damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are coupled to each other in an articulated manner.

26. A structure comprising the structural damper according to claim 1, wherein the structure is a wind turbine or a high-rise building.

Description

[0035] In the following, advantageous embodiments of the present invention will now be described schematically with reference to figures, wherein

[0036] FIG. 1 is a side view of a structural damper according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a central position;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a side view of the structural damper shown in FIG. 1, in which the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in the displaced position;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a side view of a structural damper according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a central position;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a side view of the structural damper shown in FIG. 3, in which the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in the displaced position;

[0040] FIG. 5 is a section of a side view of a structural damper according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a displaced position;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a section of a side view of a structural damper according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a displaced position;

[0042] FIG. 7 is a section of a side view of a structural damper according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a displaced position;

[0043] FIG. 8 is a section of a side view of a structural damper according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a displaced position;

[0044] FIG. 9 is a side view of a structural damper according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a central position;

[0045] FIG. 10 is a side view of the structural damper shown in FIG. 9, in which the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in the displaced position;

[0046] Identical components in the various embodiments are identified by the same reference signs.

[0047] FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a structural damper 1 for protecting structures against vibrations according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The structural damper 1 is arranged within a structure 2 and includes a first pendulum 3 with a first pendulum mass 3a and a second pendulum 4 with a second pendulum mass 4a. The structure 2 is preferably a wind turbine or a high-rise building.

[0048] The first pendulum 3 is designed as a hanging pendulum that has a pendulum rod suspension. Alternatively, however, a rope suspension could also be used. In the present embodiment, the first pendulum 3 includes two pendulum rods 3b that engage above the two lateral ends of the first pendulum mass 3a. The first pendulum 3 is designed as a transverse pendulum. For this purpose, the first pendulum 3 has a joint 3c in the form of a cardan joint between each of the pendulum rods 3b and the structure 2. In addition, the first pendulum 3 has such a joint 3c between the pendulum rods 3b and the first pendulum mass 3a in each case in order to couple the first pendulum mass 3a in an articulated manner to the two pendulum rods 3b.

[0049] The second pendulum 4 is designed as an inverse or standing pendulum. In this embodiment, the second pendulum 4 also includes two pendulum rods 4b which engage below the two lateral ends of the second pendulum mass 4a. The second pendulum 4 is also designed as a transverse pendulum. For this purpose, the second pendulum 4 has a joint 4c in the form of a cardan joint between each of the pendulum rods 4b and the structure 2. In addition, the second pendulum 4 has such a joint 4c in each case between the pendulum rods 4b and the second pendulum mass 4a in order to couple the second pendulum mass 4a in an articulated manner to the two pendulum rods 4b. The first pendulum mass 3a is arranged above the second pendulum mass 4a. Moreover, the first pendulum mass 3a overlaps with the second pendulum mass 4a as seen in vertical direction V. In the example shown here, the first pendulum mass 3a is larger than the second pendulum mass 4a in terms of its spatial dimension in the vertical direction V and its weight. As a result, the entire pendulum arrangement is designed as a particularly stable system.

[0050] The structural damper 1 further includes a coupling device 5 disposed between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a and configured to couple the first pendulum mass 3a to the second pendulum mass 4a in an effective direction of the structural damper 1, and to permit relative movement between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a in a direction of movement angled with respect to the effective direction. In the present embodiment, the effective direction of the structural damper 1 is in the horizontal direction H and the direction of motion is in the vertical direction V. The coupling device 5 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the coupling device 5 is connected to the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a.

[0051] In order to couple the first pendulum mass 3a with the second pendulum mass 4a accordingly and to allow a corresponding relative movement, the coupling device 5 comprises a guide element 5a acting and arranged in the vertical direction V. The guide element 5a is arranged in the vertical direction. Further, the coupling device 5 includes a coupling element 5b. The coupling device 5 is integrated into the second pendulum mass 4a. In particular, the guide element 5a is integrated into the second pendulum mass 4a. In the present example, the guide element 5a is formed as a recess within the second pendulum mass 4a in the form of a vertical guide channel. The coupling element 5b is formed complementary to the guide element 5a. In particular, the coupling element 5b is provided as a vertical extension and is disposed below the first pendulum mass 3a to engage with the guide element 5a within the second pendulum mass 4a. The coupling element 5b can slide along within the guide element 5a, so that the relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is guided by the coupling device 5. The positive fit between the coupling element 5b and the guide element 5a simultaneously ensures that the first pendulum mass 3a is coupled to the second pendulum mass 4a in the horizontal direction.

[0052] Furthermore, the structural damper 1 has a damping device 6. The damping device 6 is arranged between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a, and is configured to damp the relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In the present embodiment, the damping device 6 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In particular, the damping device 6 is connected to the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a to exert a relative action between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In the example shown, the damping device 6 is oriented vertically. Further, the damping device 6 is integrated with both the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the damping device 6 is arranged in a recess in each of the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a.

[0053] The damping device 6 includes linear-viscous damping properties. However, it would also be conceivable for the damping device 6 to include non-linear viscous or active damping properties. In the present example, the damping device 6 is designed as a passive hydraulic damper. However, in accordance with the damping characteristics, the damping device 6 may also be formed in a different manner. For example, the damping device 6 can include a semi-active hydraulic damper, an eddy current damper or an active element, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator.

[0054] The structural damper 1 further comprises a stiffness device 7 arranged between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a to stiffen the relative movement in vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In the present example, the stiffening device 7 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In particular, the stiffness device 7 is connected to both the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. Further, the stiffness device 7 is vertically oriented. In the embodiment shown, the stiffness device 7 is integrated with the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In particular, the stiffness device 7 is arranged in a recess in each of the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. The stiffness device 7 is designed as a passive spring. However, the stiffness device 7 can also include a semi-active hydraulic damper or an active element, in particular an electric motor or hydraulic actuator.

[0055] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the mode of operation of the structural damper 1 is described below. In FIG. 1, the structural damper 1 is shown in its initial position. The entire pendulum consisting of the first pendulum 3 and the second pendulum 4 is in a central position. FIG. 2, on the other hand, shows the structural damper 1 or the entire pendulum in a displaced position. As soon as vibrations occur in the horizontal direction, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a are displaced horizontally. A horizontal displacement HA of the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a occurs. As described above, the first pendulum mass 3a is coupled to the second pendulum mass 4a in the horizontal direction. A relative movement in vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a, however, is allowed. Thus, as the overall pendulum displaces, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a move apart in vertical direction V. In other words, the vertical distance VA between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a increases with the displacement of the pendulum as a whole. Accordingly, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a are moved towards each other again in the vertical direction V as the pendulum swings back to the central position. The vertical distance VA between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is thus reduced again.

[0056] These relative movements in vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a are damped by the damping device 6 and stiffened by the stiffening device 7. The damping device 6 operates in proportion to the relative velocity or relative displacement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. The horizontal damping force on the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4 arises during the pendulum motion in the horizontal direction H, since the vertical damping force acts with a horizontal force component on the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. The stiffness device 7 operates in proportion to the relative displacement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. The stiffness device 7 allows fine tuning of the natural frequency of the coupled first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a, since the horizontal displacement of the pendulum causes the force of the stiffness device to exert a horizontal component on the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a.

[0057] The above-described embodiment provides an improved structural damper for protecting structures against vibrations, which requires a small installation space or has a particularly compact and simple design and at the same time operates reliably.

[0058] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a structural damper 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the structural damper 1 and the entire pendulum in a central position. In FIG. 4, on the other hand, the entire pendulum is shown in a displaced position. The structural damper 1 of the second embodiment corresponds essentially to the structural damper 1 of the first embodiment. The identical components will not be further discussed below. However, the structural damper 1 of the second embodiment form differs in that the first pendulum mass 3a is arranged below the second pendulum mass 4a. The spatial dimensions of the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a are adapted accordingly, so that displacement of the overall pendulum is still possible. In addition, the guide element 5a is integrated into the first pendulum mass 3a and the coupling device 5b is arranged below the second pendulum mass 4a. With the present embodiment, the first pendulum 3 and the second pendulum 4 have the longest possible pendulum length with the smallest possible installation space of the structural damper 1.

[0059] The operation of the structural damper 1 corresponds in principle to that of the first embodiment. However, here it is the case that when the pendulum is displaced in the horizontal direction H, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a move in the vertical direction relative to each other. Further, as the pendulum returns to the central position, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a move apart in the vertical direction V. The vertical distance VA between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a behaves accordingly.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a structural damper 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The structural damper 1 of the third embodiment corresponds essentially to the structural damper 1 of the first embodiment. The identical components will not be further discussed below. However, the structural damper 1 of the third embodiment differs in that the coupling device 5 has an end stop 5d. In this example, the guide element 5a has the end stop 5d. The end stop 5d is configured to limit the relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the guide element 5a and the coupling element 5b are T-shaped. The end stop 5d is arranged in the vertical direction at the upper end of the guide element 5a in the form of a perforated stop plate, and the coupling element 5b is guided through the corresponding hole in the stop plate. Thus, when the entire pendulum is displaced, with a sufficiently large displacement of the entire pendulum, the coupling member 5b strikes the end stop 5d of the guide member 5a in the vertical direction. In this way, the maximum horizontal displacement of the entire pendulum can be limited.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a structural damper 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The structural damper 1 of the fourth embodiment corresponds essentially to the structural damper 1 of the third embodiment. The identical components will not be further discussed below. However, the structural damper 1 of the fourth embodiment form differs in that the coupling device 5 has an active stop device 5e instead of an end stop. In principle, the active stop device 5e is formed in the same way as the end stop 5d. However, the active stop device is additionally designed to limit the maximum possible relative movement in vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a and, at the same time, to change it during the use state of the structural damper 1. To this end, the active stop device 5e comprises a motor that can change the vertical position of the stop plate within the guide element 5a. For example, after each oscillation cycle of the pendulum, the stop plate can be moved down a little further, so that the maximum possible horizontal displacement is increasingly limited and ultimately stopped.

[0062] In FIG. 7, a structural damper 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The structural damper 1 of the fifth embodiment corresponds essentially to the structural damper 1 of the second embodiment. The identical components will not be further discussed below. However, the structural damper 1 of the fifth embodiment differs in that here, too, the coupling device 5 has an end stop 5d which is designed to limit the relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In this example, the guide member 5a is formed as a rectilinear guide channel within the first pendulum mass 3a. The coupling element 5b, on the other hand, is formed in a T-shape to be guided within the guide element 5a in a vertical direction V. The end stop 5d is disposed at the vertical lower end of the guide member 5a. Further, the end stop 5d is formed as a continuous stop plate. Thus, when the entire pendulum is displaced, with a sufficiently large displacement of the entire pendulum, the coupling member 5b strikes the end stop 5d of the guide member 5a in the vertical direction. In this way, the maximum horizontal displacement of the entire pendulum can be limited.

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a structural damper 1 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The structural damper 1 of the sixth embodiment corresponds essentially to the structural damper 1 of the fifth embodiment. The identical components will not be further discussed below. However, the structural damper 1 of the sixth embodiment form differs in that the coupling device 5 has an active stop device 5e instead of an end stop. The active stop device 5e is formed in principle like the end stop 5d. However, the active stop device 5e is further configured to limit the maximum possible relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a and, at the same time, to change it during the use state of the structural damper 1. For this purpose, the active stop device 5e comprises a motor that can change the vertical position of the stop plate within the guide element 5a. For example, after each oscillation cycle of the pendulum, the stop plate can be moved a little further upwards, so that the maximum possible horizontal displacement is increasingly limited and ultimately stopped.

[0064] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a structural damper 1 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates the entire pendulum in the central rest position. In contrast, FIG. 10 illustrates the entire pendulum in a displaced position. The structural damper 1 of the seventh embodiment is essentially the same as the structural damper 1 of the first embodiment. The identical components will not be further discussed below. However, the structural damper 1 of the seventh embodiment differs in that the second pendulum 4 is designed as a physical pendulum. For this purpose, the second pendulum 4 has a single pendulum rod 4b which is rigidly and centrally mounted below the second pendulum mass 4a.

[0065] In addition, the first pendulum mass 3a is coupled in an articulated manner to the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the coupling device 5 has a joint 5c in the form of a universal joint. In the present example, the joint 5c is arranged between the coupling element 5b and the first pendulum mass 3a. Furthermore, the damping device 6 and the stiffness device 7 each have two joints 6a and 7a to enable the articulated coupling of the first pendulum mass 3a to the second pendulum mass 4a. In this embodiment, the damping device 6 is arranged laterally on the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a in the vertical direction V. For this purpose, the first pendulum mass 3a has a lateral extension 3d and the second pendulum mass 4a has a lateral extension 4d. The damping device 6 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the lateral extension 3d of the first pendulum mass 3a and the lateral extension 4d of the second pendulum mass 4a via a joint 6a in each case.

[0066] The stiffness device 7 is also arranged laterally in the vertical direction V on the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the first pendulum mass 3a has a further lateral extension 3d and the second pendulum mass 4a has a further lateral extension 4d. The stiffness device 7 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the lateral extension 3d of the first pendulum mass 3a and the lateral extension 4d of the second pendulum mass 4a via a joint 7a in each case.

[0067] The operation of the structural damper 1 corresponds in principle to that of the first embodiment. Here, however, it is the case that when the pendulum is displaced in the horizontal direction H, the first pendulum mass 3a is additionally tilted relative to the second pendulum mass 4a, see FIG. 10. The relative displacements or relative velocities in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a in the region of the damping device 6 and the stiffening device 7 are thus not identical. After the horizontal displacement HA of the entire pendulum, the vertical distance VA between the extensions 3d and 4d in the area of the damping device 6 and the stiffness device 7 has increased by different amounts.

[0068] Ultimately, an improved structural damper is provided for protecting structures against vibrations, which requires a small installation space or is particularly compact and simple in design and at the same time operates reliably.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0069] 1 Structural damper [0070] 2 Structure [0071] 3 First pendulum [0072] 3a First pendulum mass [0073] 3b Pendulum rod [0074] 3c Joint [0075] 3d Lateral extension [0076] 4 Second pendulum [0077] 4a Second pendulum mass [0078] 4b Pendulum rod [0079] 4c Joint [0080] 4d Lateral extension [0081] 5 Coupling device [0082] 5a Guide element [0083] 5b Coupling element [0084] 5c Joint [0085] 5d End stop [0086] 5e Active stop device [0087] 6 Damping device [0088] 6a Joint [0089] 7 Stiffness device [0090] 7a Joint [0091] H Horizontal direction [0092] HA Horizontal displacement [0093] V Vertical direction [0094] VA Vertical distance