Eddy Current-Based Vibration Damping for Aerospace Structures

Item

Title
Eddy Current-Based Vibration Damping for Aerospace Structures
Description
A need exists for enhancing the passive damping present in proposed aerospace structures. A research program is underway to assess the feasibility of exploiting the retarding force experienced by conductors moving in the presence of a magnetic field, to provide passive damping of space-deployed structures. The characteristics of this approach are strikingly suitable for space applications: non-outgassing, relatively insensitive to temperature, noncontacting (no stiction or wear), linear, radiation tolerant, highly reliable. An eddy current-based damper could be used as the damping element in a tuned inertial reaction device (passive vibration absorber, proof mass actuator, etc.) or, alternatively, as part of a static broad-band damper. For a static damper, a flexure-based mechanism would amplify the vibratory motion of the truss member, ensuring sufficient motion of the conductor to develop adequate power dissipation. Preliminary calculations have shown that substantial modal damping ratios can be achieved at minimal weight. SatCon is undertaking an analytical, experimental and design-oriented program to assess the weight, performance, cost and reliability of this novel approach to vibration damping of space structures.
Creator
Goldie, James H.
Publisher
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH : Wright Laboratory, Flight Dynamics Directorate, Air Force Systems Command
Date
1991
Format
1 online resource (17 pages) : ill.
Type
article
Abstract
A need exists for enhancing the passive damping present in proposed aerospace structures. A research program is underway to assess the feasibility of exploiting the retarding force experienced by conductors moving in the presence of a magnetic field, to provide passive damping of space-deployed structures. The characteristics of this approach are strikingly suitable for space applications: non-outgassing, relatively insensitive to temperature, noncontacting (no stiction or wear), linear, radiation tolerant, highly reliable. An eddy current-based damper could be used as the damping element in a tuned inertial reaction device (passive vibration absorber, proof mass actuator, etc.) or, alternatively, as part of a static broad-band damper. For a static damper, a flexure-based mechanism would amplify the vibratory motion of the truss member, ensuring sufficient motion of the conductor to develop adequate power dissipation. Preliminary calculations have shown that substantial modal damping ratios can be achieved at minimal weight. SatCon is undertaking an analytical, experimental and design-oriented program to assess the weight, performance, cost and reliability of this novel approach to vibration damping of space structures.
Date Issued
1991-08
Extent
17
Corporate Author
SatCon Technology Corporation
Report Number
WL-TR-91-3078 Volume II, pages FDA-1 to FDA-17
DoD Project
2401
DoD Task
240104
Distribution Conflict
No
Index Abstract
Contrails only
Photo Quality
Not Needed
Distribution Classification
1
Report Availability
Full text available
Provenance
University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Kraemer Family Library
Identifier
ADA241312

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Items with "Has Part: Eddy Current-Based Vibration Damping for Aerospace Structures"
Title Class
Proceedings of Damping '91: 13-15 February 1991 San Diego, California (EAA-1 through GBC-16)