ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR DAMPING VIBRATIONS OF A STRUCTURE

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for damping vibrations of a structure (I), having a wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) to be fitted in a upright position, a casing element (Sa, Sb, Sc, 8d) and a damping device (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d), which is connected to the casing element (Sa, Sb, Sc, 8d) and to the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) such that a relative movement between the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and the casing element (Sa, Sb, Sc, 8d) is transmitted to the damping device (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d). The damping device (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) is designed to damp a vibrating movement of the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) in a damping direction and is arranged such that the damping device is oriented substantially parallel to a surface of the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d). The invention further relates to a method for damping vibrations of a structure.

Claims

1. Assembly for damping vibrations of a structure, comprising a wall element to be mounted in an upright position; a casing element and a damping device, which is connected both to the casing element and to the wall element in such a way that a relative movement between the wall element and the casing element transmitted to the damping device; configured to damp a vibrating movement of the wall element along a damping direction; and arranged such that the damping direction is aligned substantially parallel to a surface of the wall element.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the damping device is arranged in such a way that the direction of damping is further aligned substantially horizontally.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a relative movement between the wall element and the casing element along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the wall element is prevented.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the damping device is fixedly connected to the casing element or to the wall element.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the damping device comprises a damper.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the damping device comprises a drive device which is configured to generate a force which force, for damping a vibrating movement of the wall element, counteracts a relative movement between the wall element and the casing element transmitted to the damping device, or amplifies a relative movement between the wall element and the casing element transmitted to the damping device.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the damping device comprises a generator device which is configured to convert a kinetic energy of a relative movement between the wall element and the casing element transferred onto the damping device into another form of energy.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, configured to use energy provided by the generator device for operating the assembly.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, comprising a sensor device which is configured to detect a movement of the wall element a movement of the casing element.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wall element is an outer wal1 of a building and the casing element is a facade element.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, comprising a further casing element and a further damping device.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the further damping device is connected both to the further casing element and to the wall element in such a way that a relative movement between the wall element and the further casing element along the damping direction is transmitted to the further damping device and the vibrating movement of the wall element is damped by means of the further damping device.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the casing element and the further casing element are fixedly connected to one another.

14. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the further damping device is connected both to the further casing element and to a further wall element to be mounted in an upright position in such a way that a relative movement between the further wall element and the further casing element along a further damping direction is transmitted to the further damping device and a vibrating movement of the further wall element is damped by means of the further damping device, wherein the further damping device is arranged in such a way that the further damping direction is aligned substantially parallel to a surface of the further wall element.

15. Method for damping vibrations of a structure, comprising: providing a structure; arranging a wall element in an upright position on or in the structure; arranging a casing element on the wall element; arranging a damping device on the wall element and the casing element in such a way that a damping direction of the damping device is aligned parallel to a surface of the wall element; connecting the damping device to the casing element and to the wall element in such a way that a relative movement between the wall element and the casing element is transferred to the damping device; and damping a vibrating movement of the wall element transmitted to the damping device along the damping direction.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Further embodiments are explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a building with a known system for vibration damping;

[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of another known system for vibration damping;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an assembly for damping vibrations of a structure;

[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the damping of wind-induced vibrations;

[0047] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the damping of torsional vibrations;

[0048] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a further assembly for damping vibrations of a structure;

[0049] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of yet another assembly for damping vibrations of a structure;

[0050] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a damping device; and

[0051] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a further damping device.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a building 1, namely a slender high-rise building, with a known system for damping vibrations, which comprises a movably spring-mounted mass 2 in the top of the building 1. In the application shown in FIG. 1, the building 1 is excited to vibrate by the wind. The wind direction 3 of the exciting wind points into the plane of the drawing. The wind excitation occurs primarily through vortex shedding of the wind blowing past the building 1, which causes forces acting orthogonally to the wind direction 3. These forces cause the building 1 to vibrate transversely to the wind direction 3, which is indicated by arrows in FIG. 1. The building vibration leads to a relative movement of the mass 2 to the building 1 along the direction 4. This movement of the mass 2 counteracts the vibrations of the building 1 and damps them, an absorber being formed with the resiliently suspended mass.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows another system for damping vibrations. Facade elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are resiliently mounted on outer walls 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of the building 1 shown in a top view, with a variable distance to a respective outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. Here, the outer walls 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d form inner facades of a double facade, while the facade elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d form associated outer walls of the double facade. In the event of vibrations, the facade elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d move relative to the building 1 perpendicularly to the surface of the respective outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, so that a distance 7 between the facade elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and the respective outer wall facade elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d changes. This is indicated by arrows in FIG. 2. In the case of vibrational excitation by wind, the exciting forces are absorbed by the facade elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the double facade, which can be moved orthogonally to the building, and their transmission to the building 1 is thus reduced.

[0054] The system according to FIG. 2 requires a complex, load-dissipating solution. The kinematics must both absorb high static vertical loads and at the same time be very dynamically flexible horizontally in order to achieve the goal of vibration damping. The dynamically effective mass of the movable facade elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, which specifies the mass ratio of movable elements and the mass of the building structure, is also associated with an unfavorably high vertical load and is therefore structurally limited. At the same time, in the case of vibration excitation by wind, the movable facade elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, which are required for vibration damping, lie with their large area exactly in the direction of the wind excitation, so that vibration damping is only possible taking this direct excitation into account. In particular, in the case of controlled vibration damping, such an excitation requires complex active control.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows an assembly according to the disclosure for damping vibrations of a structure, namely a building 1 in a top view of the building 1. Casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are assembled on wall elements of the building 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the wall elements are outer walls 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of the building 1. The casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d can thus be understood as facade elements. The casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are mounted in such a way that a vibrating movement opposite and parallel to the respective wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d is made possible, which is indicated by arrows in FIG. 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the wall elements are aligned vertically. In alternative embodiments, the wall elements can have an at least partially oblique orientation, with a general upright orientation of the wall elements on the building 1 being retained. When the building 1 vibrates, the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d move parallel to the respective outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, wherein the respective distance 9 between the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d and the corresponding outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d remains constant. In the example of FIG. 2, the relative movement is in each case a horizontal movement. In alternative embodiments, a relative movement can be provided in another direction of movement parallel to the corresponding outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, for example perpendicularly or obliquely.

[0056] Due to the relative movement between the building 1 and the outer walls 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d on the one hand and the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d on the other hand, a vibration-damping effect on the building is achieved. For this purpose, the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d can be resiliently mounted in order to form a vibration absorber with each of the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. In addition, a respective damper can be provided in order to form a vibration damper with each of the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d.

[0057] Due to the movement of the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d parallel to the respective outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, a constant, small distance between the movable vibration damping elements and the supporting structure can be made possible during the movement, so that a more reliable dissipation of vertical loads during the movement is possible. As a result, the provision of a smooth dynamic displacement movement parallel to the building structure is made possible by kinematics, as a result of which structural simplification and cost savings can be achieved. In addition, it can be made possible to provide both a high mass ratio of movable elements to the mass of the building structure and a large movement path, as a result of which the vibration damping can be positively influenced. In the case of vibration excitation by wind, the large surface area of the movable elements required for vibration damping is no longer in the direction of the wind excitation, which means that the movable structures can be relieved.

[0058] According to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are each locked in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the relevant outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. For example, the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d can be guided on a respective rail system on the outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d in question, which allows a relative movement to the building 1 in the respective direction illustrated by arrows in FIG. 3 and prevents relative movement in other directions.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows the assembly according to FIG. 3 in the case of vibrational excitation by wind. The wind 3 blowing past the building 1 leads to an excitation transverse to the wind direction 3 due to vortex shedding, wherein a load distribution 10 occurs on the casing elements 8b, 8d. This load is transmitted—by fixing the casing elements 8b, 8d in the direction perpendicular to the respective outer wall 5b, 5d—to the building 1 which is excited to vibrate, the direction of which is indicated by an arrow. The vibrations of the building 1 lead to a movement relative to the casing elements 8a, 8c in the direction of vibration, as indicated by arrows. The energy exchange caused by this movement between the wall element and thus the building on the one hand and the casing element and possibly elements movable with the casing element on the other hand leads to a damping of the building vibration.

[0060] Damping of torsional vibrations with the assembly according to FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 5. Due to the assembly of the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, an opposing movement of the opposing elements leads to a torsional moment on the building structure, which can be coupled in as a countermeasure, for example by being independently excited by vibration and/or by an active movement of the corresponding casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. According to FIG. 5, lateral vibrations of the building 1 are damped by a parallel relative movement of the casing elements 8a and 8c. At the same time, the casing elements 8b and 8d move in opposite directions, so that a torsional vibration of the building 1, indicated by a round arrow in FIG. 5, is damped.

[0061] FIG. 6 schematically shows another assembly for damping vibrations of a structure, namely a building 1. In this case, the casing element 8a forms a closed functional unit, the outside 11 of which is perceived as the outside of the facade of the building 1. To mount the casing element 8a on the building 1, a guide system 12 is used, which is hung in on the element underside and on the element upper side of the casing element 8a. A damping device is assembled on the casing element 8a in a cavity of the casing element 8a and is fixedly connected to the casing element 8a. The damping device is connected to the outer wall 5a by means of a movement transmitter 13 in the form of a pin to be fastened to the building 1. The pin transfers a relative movement between the wall element 5a of the building 1 and the casing element 8a to the damping device. In embodiments of the assembly, the damping device can be connected to the wall element and/or to the casing element 8a by hanging in a hook of the damping device on a corresponding element, for example another hook, of the wall element or the casing element 8a.

[0062] The relative movement is coupled to an internal spring element 14 of the damping device via the movement transmitter 13, whereby a spring energy flow is achieved for the thus vibratory system of spring element 14 and mass of the casing element 8a. Furthermore, a damping energy flow is forwarded via the movement transmitter 13 to a movement converter 15 of the damping device. For example, the motion converter 15 can be a linear-to-rotation converter transmission. The linear movement is converted with the movement converter 15 in such a way that a movement arises which is optimally suited for an electrical machine 16. For example, a rotational movement is provided by the movement converter 15, the speed of which is adapted to the electrical machine 16, which is designed as a rotating electrical machine. The electrical machine 16 can be operated as a motor or generator. Here, the electrical machine 16 acts as a damper. In generator mode, the electrical machine 16 converts the kinetic energy of the relative movement into electrical energy. During motor operation, the electrical machine generates a force or moment by converting electrical energy that is provided, which counteracts or amplifies the relative movement in order to damp the vibrations of the wall element and thus of the building. Power electronics 17 supplies the necessary energy for motor operation or changes the electrical load in generator operation, which decisively determines the damping behavior. For this purpose, the control signals required for this are calculated in a control unit 18 in real time, for example by means of estimation and control algorithms, and are transmitted to the power electronics 17. Electrical energy generated by the electrical machine 16 is fed into an electrical energy store 19 in a controlled manner and is then available, for example, for the autonomous operation of the control unit 18 and the power electronics 17 and for motor operation. A respective inertial sensor system 20, 21 in the casing element 8a and the building 1 is used to determine the time-variable system state. The inertial sensor system 21, which detects the acceleration of the building, is connected to the control unit 18 via a data link, for example a radio link.

[0063] In various configurations of the assembly for damping vibrations in a structure, the structure, in particular a building 1, can be designed with a double facade. For example, a so-called second-skin facade can be provided, which as the outer facade comprises the casing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d as an outer impact disk and its connection structure, to protect the wall element 5a designed as the inner facade and an intermediate sun protection against wind and weather. Such a double facade can also be referred to as an open-cavity facade (OCF). Room-high window sashes can be integrated into the interior facade, which can be partly (limited) opened for ventilation purposes and fully opened for inspection and cleaning work.

[0064] Alternatively, the double facade can be designed with a so-called closed-cavity facade (CCF), which is based on a closed double-shell facade that provides the casing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. On the inside, the CCF can be double or triple glazed. A larger space can follow, which accommodates the sun protection and is limited to the outside by single glazing. Filtered dry air can also actively flow through the space, which can prevent the windows from fogging up. Due to such a multi-glazed, airtight structure, both a high level of thermal insulation and a high level of sound insulation can be achieved. In addition, due to the closed structure, contamination of the sun protection and its control components can be avoided, and a maintenance-free design can be achieved. Before being mounted on the wall element 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, the facade elements can be completely prefabricated in the factory, as a result of which consistently high quality can be ensured.

[0065] In exemplary embodiments, a building 1 with side lengths of 20 m to 30 m and a height of 200 m to 300 m can be provided. For example, a building having a square cross-section with a side length of 12 m can be provided. Each floor of the building can have a height of 3.8 m. With these dimensions, 3 to 4 facade elements with a width of 3 m to 4 m can be placed per floor and per side. It can be provided that all casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are fixedly connected per floor and side and move together. Alternatively or additionally, a vertical connection of casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d can be provided over two or more stories. Provision can be made here for only one damping device to be provided for casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d connected in this way. A casing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d can thus be formed with a plurality of sub-elements. In this way, mechatronic components can be saved. Alternatively, a damping unit is provided for each of the connected casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. In this case, the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d can be completely prefabricated during production in the factory, as a result of which subsequent simple and reliable assembly can be ensured.

[0066] FIG. 7 shows yet another assembly for damping vibrations in a structure. The casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are each fixedly connected to a damping device 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, wherein each of the damping devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d comprises a plurality of vibration dampers 23 which are each fixedly connected to the associated casing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. Each of the vibration dampers 23 comprises a spring element 14 and a damper 24. The damping devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are each fixedly connected to an outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of a building 1 by each of the vibration dampers 23 being fixedly connected to the relevant outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. Due to the fixed connection of the vibration damper 23 both with the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d and with the outer walls 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, a respective relative movement between the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d and the outer walls 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d is transferred onto the damping devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, namely on the vibration damper 23. The vibration dampers damp a relative movement of the casing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d parallel to the corresponding outer wall 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and thus a vibration of the building.

[0067] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a damping device. The damping device is connected to a wall element of a building (not shown) via a movement transmitter 13. Furthermore, the damping device is connected to a casing element by means of a connecting element 25 of the casing element. The casing element is fastened to the outer wall of the building and guided via a guide system 12, so that the casing element can only perform a horizontal movement parallel to the outer wall. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide system 12 comprises a plurality of rollers and a guide rail in order to guide the casing element via the connecting element 25 in a parallel-displaceable manner on the wall element in a manner that is smooth-running and safe with respect to all loads.

[0068] The damping device comprises two spring elements 14 and a damper 24. Thus, by means of the damping device and the mass of the moving components, a vibration damper is provided for damping vibrations on the building. In the embodiment shown, the damper is provided as a cylinder damper 26 which provides viscous damping. The damper acts purely passively, wherein the damping force depends on the speed.

[0069] FIG. 9 shows a further damping device. In contrast to the damping device according to FIG. 8, the damping device according to FIG. 9 has an electrical machine 16 as damper 24. The electrical machine 16 comprises a motor-generator assembly, which can actively damp vibrations of a structure both in generator mode and, using additional energy, as a motor. In the embodiment shown, the electrical machine 16 is a rotating electrical machine.

[0070] The damping device also comprises a movement converter 15 (not shown), which is designed as a transmission that converts a linear vibrating movement into a rotational movement. For example, the transmission for this purpose can be a form-fitting transmission, for example a rack and pinion gear, a ball screw or a toothed belt gear. The transmission can be designed for a very smooth function. In this way, in particular, energy loss that is required for the conversion of movement can be minimized. Such lost energy can be regarded as damping energy, which is not available for energy harvesting by means of the generator.

[0071] Instead of a conventional viscous damper, an electrical generator is therefore provided, which is connected to power electronics (not shown). With this combination, damping can be adjusted electrically, while at the same time energy can be obtained from the movement and temporarily stored in an energy store. This can enable autonomous operation of the damping device. The generator can be designed for very low nominal speeds. For example, the generator can also be configured for use when the first natural vibrations of a building are very low. The generator can be configured to supply voltages in the lower one-digit to two-digit volt range even at very low speeds. For example, a stepping motor in generator mode or a DC machine can be provided as the generator.

[0072] In general, when designing an assembly for damping vibrations in a structure, it can be provided that a model equation of an electrical machine is derived, with which different degrees of damping can be implemented in the electrical circuit. Different power-electronic circuit concepts can be provided, which enable the passive and semi-active operation of a mechatronic vibration damper. Various energy storage technologies can be used. Controllable power electronics connected to an energy store can be provided. For example, regulation by pulse width modulation (PWM) can be provided.

[0073] The features disclosed in the above description, the claims, and the drawings can be of relevance, both individually and also in any combination, for realizing the different embodiments.