Apparatus for damping machining vibrations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016138672-A1
Application number	US-201514925411-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 28, 2015
Priority date	Nov 14, 2014
Publication date	May 19, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus for damping machining vibrations includes a first dampener having a viscoelastic material, the first dampener to be inserted into an object defining a cavity therein; and a compressor to compress the first dampener in a first dimension to cause the first dampener to expand in a second dimension to engage an interior wall of the object.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . Apparatus for damping machining vibrations, the apparatus comprising:
a first dampener comprising a viscoelastic material, the first dampener to be inserted into an object defining a cavity therein; and a compressor to compress the first dampener in a first dimension to cause the first dampener to expand in a second dimension to engage an interior wall of the object.

2 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the viscoelastic material comprises silicone rubber.

3 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first dampener comprises a plurality of layers of viscoelastic material.

4 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first dampener has a circular cross section to engage a cylinder having a corresponding circular cross section.

5 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first dampener has an elliptical cross section to engage a cylinder having a corresponding elliptical cross section.

6 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a rigid member, the first dampener being provided around at least a part of the rigid member and being arranged to expand in the second dimension outwardly from the rigid member.

7 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the rigid member includes a rigid cylinder, the first dampener defining an annulus around the rigid cylinder.

8 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compressor comprises: first and second pressure members positioned on opposing sides of the first dampener; and an elongate member extending through the first dampener and the first and second pressure members.

9 . Apparatus as claimed in 8 , wherein the elongate member comprises a threaded portion, and the compressor further comprises a nut to engage the threaded portion of the elongate member and to enable the first and second pressure members to compress the dampener.

10 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising: a second dampener comprising a viscoelastic material, the second dampener to be inserted into the cavity of the object, and the compressor being arranged to provide pressure to the second dampener in the first dimension to cause the second dampener to expand in the second dimension to engage an interior wall of the object.

11 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising a spacer member between the first dampener and the second dampener, the spacer member being mounted on the elongate member and being arranged to maintain a predetermined distance between the first dampener and the second dampener.

12 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising an absorber between the first dampener and the second dampener, the absorber being mounted on the elongate member and being arranged to absorb vibrations in the elongate member.

13 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the object is a shaft of a gas turbine engine.

14 . A method of machining an object, the method comprising:
providing an object defining a cavity therein; inserting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 at least partially into the cavity of the object; and controlling the compressor of the apparatus to cause the first dampener to expand in the second dimension to engage the interior wall of the object.

15 . A method as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising:
causing performance of a machining operation on the object while the apparatus is at least partially positioned within the cavity of the object.

Assignees

• Rolls Royce Plc

Inventors

• Yao Shaoming

Classifications

• F16F15/1435

  Elastomeric springs, i.e. made of plastic or rubber · CPC title

• F16F15/02 Primary

  Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems ({F16F15/005 takes precedence } ; layered products B32B; suppression of vibration in ships B63; {relieving load on bearings, using magnetic means F16C39/06}) · CPC title

• F16F15/022 Primary

  using dampers and springs in combination · CPC title

• B23Q3/10

  Auxiliary devices, e.g. bolsters, extension members {(devices for holding usually unilaterally-held tools at a second side, devices supporting a workpiece against cutting forces B23Q1/76)} · CPC title

• F16F15/10

  Suppression of vibrations in rotating systems by making use of members moving with the system (by balancing F16F15/22 {; yielding couplings F16D3/00} ; with flywheels acting variably or intermittently F16H {; construction providing resilience or vibration-damping for gear elements F16H55/14}) · CPC title