TECHNOLOGY & PATENTS:

Vibration Control by Confinement (VCC)

Energy Flow Control (EFC)

USA and International Patents

Energy Flow Control (EFC)

Our Energy Flow Control (EFCTM) approach to improve the sound transmission and vibration characteristics of a system is far more elegant and technologically advanced than conventional reactive solutions. It is a groundbreaking technique that fundamentally changes how industry addresses the negative effects of excess noise and vibration energy.

EFCTM requires a detailed understanding of the modal response of the system to internal and external energy influences, and the application and management of mode localization. This requires a determination of the paths of energy flow within a given system or structure. To understand these energy flows, we develop computer models and tools that accurately measure and map energy responses on a systemic level. We test vibration energy management alternatives and arrive at efficient and economical solutions. Then passive, active or hybrid structural modifications are implemented to redirect, convert, divert, dissipate or confine excess troubling noise and vibration energy to structural regions where thy have minimal effect on the system. Simply stated, the excess and problematic vibration energy is simply steered or directed away from the critical sections of a system to achieve an efficient and economical solution to the skin or surface problem.

There are two fundamental methods of intelligently controlling energy flow in a vibrating system: (i) introducing spatial decay and (ii) inducing power flow vortices. Both methods can employ passive and/or active designs. Active energy flow control designs rely on spatial arrays of sensors and actuators attached to the surfaces of the system.

Energy Flow Control by Inducing Spatial Decay:

The use of spatial decay differs from competitorsığ methods of active vibration cancellation in the commercial market. In this technique the actuators introduce a set of properly designed spacial forces in the system in addition to the forces applied by conventional active control systems.

The behavior of an Energy Flow Control system containing sensors and actuators mounted on a vibrating surface can be completely synthesized and modeled by us. This and other models allow us to determine optimum energy flow configurations for the system.

Energy Flow Control by Vortex Power Flow:

Vortex-type intensity response patterns generated in a structure subjected to steady-state vibrations have a strong potential for confining the vibration power flow into specific regions of the structure. Vibration intensity distribution patterns (also referred to as power flow patterns) may appear in a low damping planar structure (i.e., a surface) in the form of a straight, S-shape, or vortex pattern. Vortex-type power flow patterns have the potential to be used to confine excess sound and vibration energy to restricted areas or for diverting power flow away from specified sections of a structure into other areas. In both cases, critical sections of the structure remain at low vibration levels. Our main interest is in the cases when the characteristics of the structural power flow are dominated by vortex-type patterns. However, other patterns may be found beneficial as we continue our development of this exciting technology.

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