H. FRAHM.

DEVICE FOR DAMPINGIVIBRATIONS OF BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED 00w. so, 1909.
989,958. Patented Apr. 18, 1911.
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 H. FRAHM. ,
DEVICE FOR DAMPING VIBRATIONS 0F BODIES.
APPLICATION FIZED 001. so, 1909. I - > 7

989,958. Patented Apr. 18,1911

5 SHEETSSHEET .2
 H. FRAHM.
DEVICE FOR DAMPING VIBRATIONS OF BODIES.
APPLICATION FILED 001'. so, 1909.
989,958. ' Patented Apr. 18, 1911.
5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/ J.
 H. FRAHM.
DEVICE FOR DAMPING VIBRATIONS 0F BODIES.
APPLIUATION FILED OUT. 30, 1909.
989,958. Patented Apr. 18, 1911.
5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

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 H. FRAHM.
DEVICE FOR. DAMPING VIBRATIONS 0F BODIES.
APPLICATION FILED 001. so, 1909.
989,958. Patented Apr. 18, 1911.
5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.
 I. UNITED STATES PATENT o @1
' aluminumv Tannin. or HAMBURG, GERMANY.
DEVICE FOR DAMPING VIBRATIONS OF BODIES.

989,958. ' Speci?cation of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 18, 1911.

Application ?led October 80, 1909. - Serial No. 525,455.

To all whom it may concem: . u method in which the action of the primary
Be it known that I, HERMANN FRAHM, a impacts is annulled. Fig. 3 is a diagram
citizen of the tree town of Hamburg, and mat1c vlew showing one method of a plying
resident of 18 -Kloster Alle, in the free the present inventlon to a ship or t e like. 60
- 5 "town of Hamburg, German Empire, engi Flg. 4 illustrates diagrammatically a modi
neer, have invented a new and useful Device ?ed construction. Fig. 5 illustrates dia
for Damping Vibrations of l3od1es, of which grammatically a device for damping or
the following is a speci?cation. nulhfymg vibrations in any direction. Fig.
This invention relates to means for damp-v 6 illustrates how the invention may be ap 65
10 ing the resonance-vibrations which .arlse 1n plied in the case where the disturbing im-_
bodies subjected to certain periodic lmpacts. pulses are caused by a. rotary member.
Such bodies are for instance ships which Fig. 7 1s a diagrammatic side view and
are subjected to periodic vibratory forces Flg. 8 is a diagrammatic plan illustrating
from their propel ing machinery or from a method of modifying the action of the
15 their propellers. As is known 1n such ships tlllXlli?I'Y, bodies. Fig. 9 contains curves
as soon as the impactsare in. harmony with showmg the varying action of the damping
the natural oscillations of the ship the ship devlce. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view
starts vibrating more or less. Such vlbra illustrating an arrangement by which the
tions however are not con?ned to ships but damping action of the auxiliary body may 75
20 are also present in air ships, aeroplanes and be regulated. Fig. 10a is an enlarged de
railway and street vehicles. \Further the tail of the regulating device. Fig. 11 illus
same phenomena are evident in ?xed bodies trates a modi?ed form of the device shown
suchas buildings when vehicles pass near in Fig. 10, and Fig. 11a is across sectional
them, or when machines are working with detail View of the regulating means. Fig. 80
25 in them. Such. vibrations which I shall 12 is a side view partly in section showing
call resonance vibrations, may even be strong, one method of constructing the invention;
enough in ships, buildings and so on as to vthe arrangement being somewhat similar
render the same unbearable or render the to that shown at Fig. 10 and being par
execution of ?ne measurement or other ticularly applicable for ships and like ve 85
30 work in saidbuildings, ships and so on im hicles. Fig. 13 is an end view of Fig. 12.
_ possible. Fig. 111 is a cross-section through Figs. 12
According to the present invention these and 13. I -
disturbing vibrations are avoided or damped Referring to Figs.'1 and 2 M represents
by means of an auxiliary body which is ar the main body which is subjected to peri
ranged within or on the main body whose odlc impacts. These periodic impacts are
vibrations'are to be damped. This auxil assumed to have the e?ect of causing the
iary body is caused to vibrate by the vibra pendulum .M to swing. The periodic im
tions of'the main body and the natural pulses may be represented by the double
vibrations of the auxiliary body have as arrow 1). From the'pendulum M there is 95
40 nearly as possible the same eriod as those suspended a small pendulum m, which rep
of the main body. The action of this de resents the auxiliary body according to the
vice depends upon the fact that the reso present invention.
nance vibrations of the main body. are an In Fig. 2 the full linelrepresents the dis
nulled by the secondary resonance vibra turbing impacts or force 17 p which causes 100
45 tions of_ the smaller auxiliary body. The the vibratory movement of the pendulum M.
member joining the auxiliary to the main The vibratory movement of the pendulum
body exercises a reaction on the main body M has a phase-di?erence of 90 to that of
owing to the phase difference, which is the disturbing force, This vibratory move
directed against the rimary disturbingim ment of the pendulum M is represented by 105
50 pacts on the main'bo y. the line 2 in Fig._ 2. The small auxiliary
The invention will be more readily under body 'm. is also caused to vibrate and this vi
stood from the followin description of the bration has a phasedifference of 90 to the
diagrams contained in t, e drawings. vibration of the pendulum M. This vibra
In these diagrams Figure 1* illustrates the tion of the auxiliary pendulum m is repre 110
55 fundamental principle of the present in sented by the sinuous line 3 in Fig. 2. It will
vention, Fig.72 _is a diagram showing the be seen that the sinuous. line 3 has a phase
 989,968
di?'erence of 180 to'the sinuous line 1 and of vibrations caused by a rotating body.
thereby the. vibrations of the small auxil The body 9 having its center of gravity at
iary body we act against the disturbing forces 7; is assumed to rotate inthe direction of the
1 to damp or annul the same. In reality arrow in Fig. 6. This rotation will cause
with the device described the mass M will a periodic force to be applied to the sup
be brought to rest while the forces ;0 77 still porting ?oor through the bearing blockv Z.
continue to act on its point of suspension. These vibrations which may be vertical,
A form of the device suitable for use in a horizontal or in an inclined direction, are
ship is shown in Fig. 3. (1!. represents any damped oravoided by arranging an auxil
10 suitable deck on a ship and 6 represents a iary mass 1' as a pendulum ?xed to the hear 75
' vertical wall or bulk head. At the point a ing and arranging also a masslr' horizon
there is ?xed a rod a carrying a mass m tally on an arm 1? which is supported on a
which may be slidable on the rod 0 so as to spring 1*. ' v
enable adjustment of the period of vibration It will be understood thatthe position at
of the mass m. A spring f may be ar which the devices herein described are to be 80
ranged between the arm 0 and the ?oor a. arranged, have to be ?xed for each special
, If the ?oor is subjected to a disturbing force case. In the case of a machine with rotat-,
which acts in the lines 9 the ?oor a will be ing parts the vibrations may be avoided by
caused to vibrate and thereby the mass 122. applying the auxiliary oscillating mass on
20 will also vibrate in the lines 9. The result or in the immediate neighborhood of the
will be that the vibrations of the auxiliary machine. If'the vibrations have to be an
mass m will annul or damp the action of the nulled or damped ina supported body, such
disturbing forces and the deck a will remain as a ship, the device cannot of course be ap
steady. Theadjustment of the action of plied at the dead points or axes, of the vi~
25 the auxiliary mass m'a may be effected by brations but at some point where-the am pli 90
altering the mass itself or altering the tude of the, vibrations is appreciable. _ Such
spring f. The frequency of the vibrations a point in the case of a ship would be the
may be altered by altering the posltlonof rear part or a center part of the ships! .
the weight. The action may also be, adjusted It has been discovered that although the
~30 by altering the length of the spring or ap auxiliary body exerts a damping action on
plying a direct load to it. ' _ ' ~ the vibrations of the main body, the main
Fig. 3 shows only the method of counter~ body is not immediately brought .to rest or
acting the vibration in a vertical plane. reduced. to vibrations of a minimum ampli
The device may of course be very consider tude. There occur, what might be called,
ably varied, as for instance is shown in periods of suspension of the damping'action . 100
Fig. 4. _ in vwhich the main body after reduction of
In Fig. 4: the supporting arm a is dis: us amplitude of vlbratlons agaln starts to
pensed with and the mass m2 is in the form vibrate with a more or less considerable
of a piston or is provided with ends 71 i which
40 act as pistons and are adapted to move in .amplitu e. Such suspension of the damp- 105
ing action is to be explained by the circum
' cylinders h 72.2. The cylinders h be may be stance that until a certain relationship be
?lled with any suitable medium such as com tween'the oscillations of the main and the
pressed air, and are connected by tubes is k2 auxiliary masses occurs, these two masses ,
to a box 03 having a central division plate (Z. react upon oneanother in a certain manner.
45 The horizontal vibrations of the ?oor a'_ will The vlbrating mam body ?rst causes the 110
be counteracted by the secondary vibrations auxiliary body to vibrate and these ?rst vi
of the mass m2. The pressure of the air brations of the auxiliary body are so power
within the cylinders h k2 may be of any ful that they react on the main body and
desired amount and by using highpressurcs .apply an oscillating impulse thereto. Al
the cylinders h 71.2 may be correspondingly though such- suspensions of the damping 115
reduced in size. The piston or mass m2 may action occur, onlyat the beginning of the
be suspended after the manner of a pendu~ vibrations yet they may be exceedingly dis- .' ~
lum or supported by top and bottom cush turbing, especially in those cases where) the
ion cylinders as shown _ in Fig. 5 with mam mass has periods of rest and periods of
55 springs. . u __
motion. This would be the case for example 120
In Fig. 5 there is illustrated a method of in road vehicles and boats, as such bodies '
counteracting vibratory motions either in a frequently alter their velocity and in conse
vertical or a? horizontal plane. The mass quence the parts causing the disturbing vi- _
'60 m3 is supported by springs ffz f3 f4 from brat-ions such as the propelling machinery,
the walls 70., n. 91,2 723. In thlsway the mass only impart the critical periodic impulses at
. we8 will respond to vibrationsin any direc-' a certain velocity corresponding to a certain >
tionand- damp or nullify the same in the number of revolutions. The invention re-,
' manner above described. ' lates further to means for preventing such
65 In Fig. 6 there'is illustrated the applica periods of suspension of the damping action
tion of the present invention to the damping and the means employed consist in substance 130
 989,968 8
in damping-the vibrations of the auxiliary the vibratory motion of the mass m4 is more
body. The auxiliary body 1s thereby pre powerfully braked than the center part of
vented from vibrating with such large said vibratory motion. If the cylinder. 12
amplitude that it exercises a reactionary is ?lled with a liquid, the cook 13 should
force on the main body. In the drawing be arranged in a pipe connecting the two 70
Figs. 7 and 8 show in elevation and plan a ends of the cylinder. '
diagram of the device. A lath s is supported In Fig. 11 the mass m) is carried by a rod
at two points by cords t t; a spring 11. ?xed 15 having a braking device at its point of
to the end of the lath forms the auxiliary suspension 16 to the side wall. The arrange
10 vibrating mass. The- resilient lath s is as ment of the suspension device for the rod 75
sumed to be subjected tov impulses which 15 is illustrated in cross section in Fig. 11.
cause it to vibrate in the manner shown by The rod 15 carries an eye-piece 17 on which
the dotted lines in Fig. 8. These vibrations a brake cylinder 18 is arranged. The brake
are damped by the spring u. cylinder 18 contains an adjustable spring 19
15 In Fig. 9 the diagram 4 represents the or adapted to press a plunger 20. The plunger 80
- dinary undisturbed vibrations of the lath s. 20 has its bottom end inFig. 113 forming a
5 represents a damping action of the spring cord of the'circle of the eye piece 17. The
-u,' it is found however that the 'sprlng u pivot 21 on which the eye-piece 17 rotates,
' has periods when its damping action is sus is provided with a ?attened part 22. It will
20 pended so that the amplitude of the vibra be seen that the ?attened part 22 is so ar 85
tions of the lath s is as shown in 6,'F1 . 9. ranged that the arm 15 may make smaller
Thus the initial vibrations are reduced mm vibrations without bringing the brake into
the amount 'm- to the amount w and then operation. When vibrations of greater am
these vibrations increase to the amount as". plitude however occur, the plun er 20 comes '
25 The amplitude of the vibrations is then on the circular part of the pivot 21 and 90
again reduced to the amount to and agaln thereby exerts a braking action.
there enters a period of suspension of the It will be seen that with the arrange
damping action at m and so on. The ments described in-Figs. 10 to 118 that the
periods of suspension a2" and w": I propose damping action only occurs with vibrations
30 to avoid by damping the vibrations of the of greater amplitude such as the vibrations 95
auxiliary body wt so that the amplitude of represented by w in Fig. 9.
these vibrations is restricted and there is no _ One constructional form of carrying out
reaction from the auxiliary body to the lath s.
the invention is illustrated at Figs. 12, 13
This may be effected for instance by pro and 14 as applied to ships, the arrangement
35 viding a vane 12 on the spring to. A device being somewhat similar to that shown at 100
suitable for e?'ecting this dam ing action on Fig. 10; 22 is the deck of the ship andc23
the vibrations of the auxiliary ody is shown a standard carried thereby, this standard
diagrammatically in Fig. 10. The auxiliary supporting at its upper end a bracket 24,.
mass m*, arm 02 and pivot 03* are arranged as whose outer end is provided with a face plate
in Fig. 3. A spring f5 is also provided, as 25 bolted to the face of the bracket, and 105
in Fig. 3. To the outer end of the arm 02 interposed therebetween'is a ?exible blade
there is attached a connecting rod g which 26 the lower end of which is bolted to and
is articulated to a piston 2 adapted to slide carries a pair of vertical side bars 27, these
in a cylinder 12. The cylinder 12 is pro bars extending down almost to the deck 22
45 vided with a cock 13. ,By adjusting the of the ship but being free at their lower 110
cock 13 the amount of damping action on ends, so as to'be capable of a swinging
. the vibrations vof the mass m4 may be ad movement about the point 26- at which the
justed. .It is desirable that the damping blade is held fast between the bracket and
action should act wholly or princlpally on face plate. A spring 28 is also carried by
50 the mass 'm.4 during the extreme parts of its the standard 23 at a point near the deck, 115
vibratory motion, while the center part of one end of the spring being secured to the
the vibratory motion of the mass m4 is only standard 23 and the other end carrying a
slightly braked or not braked at all. This channel-shaped member 29, which is bolted
result may be obtained by arranging the to the side bars 27 by means of bolts 30, so
55 cylinder 12 so that the damping action only that by this means the swinging movement 120
starts, when vibrations of considerable am of the bars 27 is somewhat counteracted by
plitude occur., The arrangement herein the action of the spring 28. The side bars
illustrated will be more clearly understood 27 carry a yoke-shaped mass 31, which forms
from Fig. 10*. In this ?gure the cylinder 12 the vibrating mass corresponding to the
60 is provided in its. walls with a groove-14 on mass m, Fig. 10, this yoke-shaped member 125
that part of the cylinder wall opposlte which having suitable channels or recesses for the
the piston 2 is normally suspended. _ When reception of the side bars 27 and it being
the piston a descends, the only outlet which adapted to be vertically adjusted thereon
the air beneath the piston 2 has, is through by means of a vertically screwed shaft 32,
65 the cock 13 and thereby the extreme part of working through a. nut33 carried by the ' 130
 ~ . 989,958

m=assl3l and being mounted-ins. bearing 34; - tions H' of the - secondary body, substantially 5
' carried by thebars 27 at its upperend, said as described. _ - ' '

screwed shaft being provided with any suit ' I 4; In abody', means for damping or avoid
able operating wheel 35. .In order to damp ing resonance vibrations, comprisin a sec
the vibrations'o'f the mass during the ex ondary body resiliently carried by t e. body
treme parts of its vibratory motion, a'bar whose vibrations are to be damped, said
' .36 is bolted to the channel-shaped member secondary body being free to be vibrated by
29 at 37, this vbar 36'being jointed at its the primary vibrations of- the body to be
upper end to the articulated connecting rod damped, means for damping the oscillations
'10 38 of a piston workin in a cylinder 39, said of the secondary body and means for regu
cylinder working eit er under compressed lating said damping action. > v - 60
air, gas, or liquid. _On the drawings Ihave 5. > In a body, means for damping or avoid
shown the cylinder as connected with an oil ing resonance vibrations, comprislng, a sec
reservoir 40for feeding oil to the cylinder. ondary-body resiliently carried by the body. '
15 The cylinder is provided in the manner al-_ whose vibrations are to be damped, said sec
ready described with ports on each working ondary body being free to be vibrated by 65
vside of the piston, these ports being oon the primary-vibrations of the body to be
' nected by means of a connecting pipe not' damped, and means for damping the oscilla
shown on the drawings and means being tions of the secondary body, such means
20 provided for regulating the inlet to and
acting with greater force in the end parts of
outlet through said ports. The operation Itohe vibratory movements ofthe secondary 70
of the device is exactlysimilar' to that de ody.
, scribed with reference toFig. 10, and :f'ur- - 6. In abody, means for damping or avoid
ther description thereof is therefore unneces ing resonance vibrations, com rising, a sec
"25 -sary. ondary body resiliently carrie by the body
I claim :-7 . V -.
whose vibrations are to be damped, said 75
1. In a'body, means for :dampingor avoid secondary body being free to be vibrated '
ingresonance vibrations, comprising, a sec-' by the primary vibrationsof the body to
ondary body resiliently carried .by the body be damped, means for damping the oscilla
30 whose vibrations'are' tobe damped, said
tions of the secondary body, such means
- secondary body being free to vbe vibrated _ acting with greater force in the end parts 80
by the rimaryvibrations of the body to be of the vibratory movements of the second
damped? substantially as described. ' any body, and means for regulating the
2. In a body, means for damping or avoid amount. of the damping action exerted" on _
35 ing resonance vibrations comprising, a sec
vibrations of greater amplitude. .
ondary body resiliently carried by. the body I ' 7. Inabody, means for damping or avold 85
Whose vibrations are to be damped, said ing resonance vibrations, com rising a sec-
secondary body being free to be vibrated ondary body resiliently carrie ~'by the body
'40 by the. primary vibrations of the body to be whose vibrations are to be damped, and a
damped, and means for adjusting as desired ?uid pressure brake adapted to damp the
the vibrations of said secondary body, sub vibrations of greater amplitude of said sec 90
stantially as described. ondary body, substantially as described.
3. Ina body means for damping or avoid In witness whereof I have hereunto set
ing resonance vibrations, comprising, a sec~ my hand in the presence of two witnesses.
45 ondary body resiliently carried by the body
whose vibrations are to be damped, said HERMANN FRAHZM.
secondary body being free to be'vibrated by Witnesses: y :
the primary vibrations of the body to be .EnNEs/r H. L. MUMMENHOFF.
damped, and means for damping the oscilla IDA CHR. I-IAFERMANN.