Friction Damper For Shock Absorption

A friction damper is an elastic device used to control the vibration of a structure. These devices work well in harsh environments and are capable of operating without electrical power. Another advantage of friction dampers is that they can act simultaneously in multiple directions. These devices are commonly used in buildings and other structures that are prone to earthquakes. In addition to their use in buildings, they are also used in the transportation industry.

Friction dampers typically include channel members with at least one friction channel and a wedge member. The friction damper can also include an internal transverse wall. In a preferred construction, at least one sidewall of each friction channel forms an obtuse angle with the transverse wall. In other words, the sidewalls are designed to converge toward one another.

A friction damper may have an aluminum coating on its surface to improve its coefficient of friction. In some cases, however, this coating can deteriorate rapidly at high load levels. The degradation is visible after about 250 mm of cumulated displacement. This coating is perfect for seismic-resistant structures but may not be suitable for damp systems that are subject to continuous excitation.

Friction dampers are also useful in buildings and bridges to control seismic energy. Furthermore, they are particularly useful for stabilizing large objects and protecting them from damaging energy from earthquakes. They can also be used to stop trains in a station and dock large ships at shipyards. The present invention provides a friction damper that can be installed in series with a clutch mechanism.

Friction dampers are widely used in seismic retrofitting of buildings. These devices are cheap and easy to install. In fact, friction dampers have already been used in more than forty civil engineering structures around the world. It is a versatile and cost-effective structural upgrade and a great solution for seismic hazard mitigation.

Friction dampers can also reduce noise and vibration. They absorb the energy of unbalanced masses and convert them to heat. A friction damper can increase company values by improving performance. A friction damper can also reduce road noise and extend the life of a vehicle. The friction damper is an excellent option for this purpose.

Friction dampers should be able to damp motion in all directions. They are sometimes used in shrouded turbine blades and in railway boogie damping. A bidimensional friction model is not very accurate, but a relative motion model of a friction damper along a line can be used to study the response along different directions. This approach is useful for designing friction dampers, but it can be inaccurate.