Title:
MODULAR VIBRATION SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/1998/029723
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A modular vibration system which utilizes removable modules to adapt to any of a range of applications and performance characteristics, comprising a shaker module (12), a coupling module (13) and a fixture module (14). The shaker module (12) includes features for mounting actuators (5) for providing multi-axial shaker motions to the shaker module. The fixture module (14) provides for attaching and holding specimens (6) under test. The coupling module (13) is preferably made of visco-elastic material, couples the fixture module to the shaker module, whereby the fixture module and the coupling module are easily separable from the shaker module. This feature permits tuning the vibration system over a wide range of multi-modal coupling characteristics for a specific application by allowing the interchange of fixture modules and coupling modules.
Inventors:
Hobbs, Gregg K. (10218 Osceola Court, Westminster, CO, 80030, US)
Application Number:
PCT/US1997/023823
Publication Date:
July 09, 1998
Filing Date:
December 24, 1997
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Hobbs, Gregg K. (10218 Osceola Court, Westminster, CO, 80030, US)
International Classes:
G01M7/02; G01M7/06; G01M7/00; (IPC1-7): G01M7/02; G01M7/06
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Van Cleave, William G. (Greenlee, Winner and Sullivan P.C., Suite 201, 5370
Manhattan Circl, Boulder CO, 80303, US)
Claims:
CLAIMSI claim:
| 1. | A modular vibration system, for subjecting a specimen to vibration, comprising: a shaker module; a fixture module; and a coupling module, held between said shaker module and said fixture module; wherein said fixture module and said coupling module are mounted on said shaker module by application of a substantially constant clamping force. |
| 2. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said fixture module and said coupling module are removable from said shaker module. |
| 3. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said clamping force is provided by a vacuum. |
| 4. | The vibration system of claim 3 wherein said coupling module provides a vacuum seal. |
| 5. | The vibration system of claim 3 further comprising a skirt surrounding, and providing a vacuum seal between, said shaker module and said fixture module. |
| 6. | The vibration system of claim 3 further comprising a flange seal between the perimeters of, and providing a vacuum seal between, said shaker module and said fixture module. |
| 7. | The vibration system of claim 3 wherein said coupling module comprises an inflatable seal between said shaker module and said fixture module. |
| 8. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said clamping force is provided by a tension member. |
| 9. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said shaker module comprises an actuator mounting feature. |
| 10. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said actuator mounting feature is adapted to receive alignment pins. |
| 11. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said fixture module comprises a honeycomb structure. |
| 12. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said fixture module comprises a waffle structure. |
| 13. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said fixture module comprises a hollow structure comprising panels separated by posts or ribs. |
| 14. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said coupling module is made of a visco elastic material. |
| 15. | The vibration system of claim 14 wherein said viscoelastic material is a fluorosilicone rubber. |
| 16. | A method of subjecting a specimen to vibration, comprising the steps of: providing a shaker module having an attached actuator; selecting a fixture module and a coupling module, the fixture module and coupling module in combination having vibration transfer characteristics specific to the specimen; attaching the specimen to the fixture module; clamping the coupling module between the shaker module and the fixture module with a substantially constant force; and coupling a vibration from the actuator to the specimen through the shaker module, coupling module and fixture module. |
| 17. | The method of claim 16 wherein the coupling module is made of a viscoelastic material. |
| 18. | The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: locating a node, or an antinode, of a mode of vibration; and attaching an actuator to the shaker module at the node, or at the antinode. |
| 19. | A method of subjecting a specimen to vibration, comprising the steps of: providing a shaker module having an attached actuator; attaching the shaker module to the specimen; and coupling a vibration from the actuator to the specimen through the shaker module. |
| 20. | The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: locating a node, or an antinode, of a mode of vibration; and attaching an actuator to the shaker module at the node, or at the antinode. |
| 21. | A method of subjecting a specimen to vibration, comprising the steps of: providing a shaker module having an attached actuator; providing a fixture module having vibration transfer characteristics specific to the specimen; attaching the specimen to the fixture module; clamping the fixture module to the shaker module; and coupling a vibration from the actuator to the specimen through the shaker module and the fixture module. |
| 22. | A method of enhancing a mode of vibration in a vibration system, comprising the steps of: locating an antinode of the mode of vibration; and attaching an actuator to the system at the antinode. |
| 23. | A method of subduing a mode of vibration in a vibration system, comprising the steps of: locating a node of the mode of vibration; and attaching an actuator to the system at the node. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 23 May 1998 (23.05.98); original claims 16,19 and 21 amended; new claims 2433 added; remaining claims unchanged (5 pages)] 8. The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said clamping force is provided by a tension member. |
| 24. | 9 The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said shaker module comprises an actuator mounting feature. |
| 25. | 10 The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said actuator mounting feature is adapted to receive alignment pins. |
| 26. | 11 The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said fixture module comprises a honeycomb structure. |
| 27. | 12 The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said fixture module comprises a waffle structure. |
| 28. | 13 The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said fixture module comprises a hollow structure comprising panels separated by posts or ribs. |
| 29. | 14 The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said coupling module is made of a visco elastic material. |
| 30. | 15 The vibration system of claim 14 wherein said viscoelastic material is a fluorosilicone rubber. |
| 31. | 16 A method of subjecting a specimen to vibration comprising the steps of: providing a shaker module having an attached actuator; providing a fixture module and a coupling module,the coupling module being separable from at least one of the fixture module and the shaker module; attaching the specimen to the fixture module; clamping the coupling module between the shaker module and the fixture module with a substantially constant force; and applying a vibration from the actuator to the specimen through the shaker module, coupling module and fixture module. |
| 32. | 17 The method of claim 16 wherein the coupling module is made of a viscoelastic material. |
| 33. | 18 The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: locating a node, or an antinode, of a mode of vibration; and attaching an actuator to the shaker module at the node, or at the antinode. |
| 34. | 19 A method of subjecting a specimen to vibration, comprising the steps of: providing a shaker module having an actuator mounted thereon, the actuator for applying an impact force to the shaker module; providing a fixture module and a coupling module, the fixture module and coupling module in combination having vibration transfer characteristics specific to the specimen and the coupling module being separable from at least one of the fixture module and the shaker module; attaching the specimen to the fixture module; clamping the coupling module between the shaker module and the fixture module by application of a substantially constant clamping force; and applying a vibration from the actuator to the specimen through the shaker module, coupling module and fixture module. |
| 35. | 20 The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: locating a node, or an antinode, of a mode of vibration; and attaching an actuator to the shaker module at the node, or at the antinode. |
| 36. | 21 A method of subjecting a specimen to vibration, comprising the steps of: providing a shaker module having an actuator mounted thereon, the actuator for applying an impact force to the shaker module; providing a fixture module having vibration transfer characteristics specific to the specimen; attaching the specimen to the fixture module; removably clamping the fixture module to the shaker module; and applying a vibration from the actuator to the specimen through the shaker module and the fixture module. |
| 37. | 22 A method of enhancing a mode of vibration in a vibration system, comprising the steps of: locating an antinode of the mode of vibration; and attaching an actuator to the system at the antinode. |
| 38. | 23 A method of subduing a mode of vibration in a vibration system, comprising the steps of: locating a node of the mode of vibration; and attaching an actuator to the system at the node. |
| 39. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said fixture module and said coupling module in combination have vibration transfer characteristics specific to said specimen. |
| 40. | The vibration system of claim 1 wherein said fixture module comprises said specimen. |
| 41. | The method of claim 16 wherein the clamping force is provided by a vacuum. |
| 42. | The method of claim 16 wherein the clamping force is provided by a tension member. |
| 43. | A method of subjecting a specimen to vibration, comprising the steps of: providing a shaker module having an actuator mounted thereon; attaching the shaker module to, and supporting the shaker module by, the specimen; and applying a vibration from the actuator to the specimen through the shaker module. |
| 44. | The vibration system of claim 8 wherein said tension member comprises a spring. |
| 45. | The vibration system of claim 8 wherein said tension member comprises a pneumatic device. |
| 46. | The vibration system of claim 8 wherein said tension member comprises a hydraulic device. |
| 47. | The vibration system of claim 8 wherein said tension member comprises a combination gas and hydraulic device. |
| 48. | The vibration system of claim 8 wherein said tension member comprises an elastic material. |
Description:
Note: This international search report was established in addition to the report duly established by the competent International Searching Authority specified by the applicant. It is published for information only and has no legal stams for the purposes of the PCT procedure (for example, in the computation of time limits). INTERNATIONALSEARCHREPORT If a', ; Onai Application No PCT/US97/23823 A.CLASSIFICATIONOFSUBJECTMATTER IPC6GOlM7/02GOlM7/06 AccordingtoInternationalPatentClassificationnPC) ortobothnationalclassificationandIPC B.FIELDSSEARCHED Minimumdocumentationsearched(classificationsystemfollowedby classification symbol) IPC6G01M Documentationsearchedotherthanminimumdocumentationtotheexten
tthatsuchdocumentsareincludedinthefieldssearched Electronicdatabaseconsultedduringtheinternationalsearch(name
ofdatabaseand.wherepractical.searchtermsused) C.DOCUMENTSCONSIDEREDTOBERELEVANT Category Citation ot document, with indication.whereappropriate,oftherelevantpassagesRelevant toclaimNo. AEP0711987A(QUALMARKCORP)15May19961,9,11 seecolumn8,line6-column9,line25; figure3A AUS4735089A(BAKERRICHARDLETAL)51,11 April1988 citedintheapplication seeabstract;figure1 AUS3369393A(FARMEREVERETTW)201 February1968 citedintheapplication seecolumn3,line38-line65;figure2 FurtherdocumentsarelistedinthecontinuationofboxC.E Patentfamilymembersarelistedinannex. I-J. l °Specialcategorlesotcdeddocuments: "T"later document published atter the international filing date "A"document defining the general state of the art which is not or priority daie and not in conftid with the application but consideredto be of particular relevance cited to understand the principle or theory underlying the invention E eartierdocumentbutpublishedonoraftertheinternational X documentofparticularrelevance:theclaimedinvention filingdatecannotbeconsiderednovelorcannotbeconsideredto "L"documentwhichmaythrowdoubtsonpnorityclaim(s)orinvolveanin
ventivestepwhenthedocumentistakenalone whichiscitedtoestablishthepublicationdateofanother ^Y"document of particular relevance ; the claimed invention citationorotherspecialreason(asspecified)cannotbeconsideredt
o involve an inventive step when the "0"document reterringtoanoraldisclosure,use,exhibitionordocumentiscombin
edwithoneormoreothersuchdocu- othermeansments.suchcombinationbeingobvioustoapersonskilled "P"document publishedpriortotheinternationalfilingdatebut in the art. laterthanthepnoritydateclaimed documentmemberofthesamepatentfamily DateoftheactualcompletionoftheinternationalsearchDateofmaili
ngoftheinternationalsearchreport 18March199825/03/1998 | NameandmailingaddressoftheISAAuthorizedofficer EuropeanPatentOffice.PB5818Patentlaan2 NL-2280HVRijswijk Tel.(+31-70)340-2040.Tx.31 651 epo ni, Fax:(+31-70)340-3016 Zafiropoulos, N INTERNATIONALSEARCHREPORT Ir3tionalApplicationNo Informationonpatent (amity members PatentdocumentPublication Patent family Publication citedinsearchreportdatemember(s)date EP0711987A15-05-96AT141408T 15-08-96 CA2077259A 02-09-91 DE69121394D 19-09-96 DE69121394T 06-02-97 EP0518954A 23-12-92 WO9113331A 05-09-91 US5412991A 09-05-95 US5517857A 21-05-96 US5589637A 31-12-96 US5365788A 22-11-94 US4735089A05-04-88AU628804B 24-09-92 AU3115489A 06-07-89 AU616486B 31-10-91 AU3115589A 06-07-89 AU590667B 09-11-89 AU6850087A 28-07-87 CA1273319A 28-08-90 EP0252963A 20-01-88 WO8704242A 16-07-87 US3369393A20-02-68NONE
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