EP4244502A1

EP4244502A1 - Building damper for protecting buildings against vibrations, and building comprising such a building damper

Info

Publication number: EP4244502A1
Application number: EP21770185.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Felix Weber
Original assignee: Maurer Engineering GmbH
Current assignee: Maurer Engineering GmbH
Priority date: 2020-12-23
Filing date: 2021-08-31
Publication date: 2023-09-20
Also published as: CA3205414A1; DE102020216569A1; AU2021408473A9; AU2021408473A1; US20240295249A1; WO2022135755A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a building damper 1 for protecting buildings against vibrations, having a first pendulum 3 with a first pendulum mass 3a, a second pendulum 4 with a second pendulum mass 4a, a coupling device 5, and a damping device 6. The coupling device 5 is arranged between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a and is designed such that the first pendulum mass 3a is coupled to the second pendulum mass 4a in the operational direction of the building damper 1, and a relative movement between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is permitted in a movement direction running at an angle to the operational direction. The damping device 6 is arranged between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a and is designed such that the relative movement in the movement direction between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is damped.

Description

STRUCTURE DAMPER FOR PROTECTING STRUCTURES AGAINST VIBRATION AND STRUCTURE WITH SUCH STRUCTURE DAMPER

The present invention relates to a structure damper for protecting structures against vibrations. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a structure with such a structure damper.

Slender buildings such as high-rise buildings (residential, office, hotel use) or other slender structures (wind turbines, observation towers, etc.) are stimulated to horizontal vibrations by wind excitation. The usual countermeasure is the installation of a vibration damper in the form of the Tuned Mass Damper (TMD), which reduces the building vibrations (displacement and acceleration) via its pendulum mass coupled to the building by means of damping elements and rigidity elements.

Such building dampers are already known in various forms from the prior art. For example, there are solutions in which the mass of the TMD is suspended from cables or pendulum rods as a transverse pendulum. There are also variants in which the mass of the TMD is suspended as a physical pendulum with a pendulum rod with a cardan joint. The TMD types mentioned can be designed in such a way that the horizontal building vibrations are reduced in a horizontal direction, in two mutually orthogonal directions or in any direction of the plane. In any case, the damping elements as well as the spring elements (cables, pendulum rods or springs) are installed horizontally between the TMD mass and the structure, whereby the damping elements are proportional to the relative speed of the TMD mass to the building mass and the spring elements are proportional to the relative displacement of the TMD mass to the building mass. The goal of these solutions is that the horizontal force of the damping elements adjusts the damping of the TMD mass in the horizontal direction and the horizontal force of the spring elements adjusts the natural frequency of the TMD mass in the horizontal direction.

In order to reduce the installation height of TMDs in pendulum design with very low-frequency building vibrations, there are also the following concepts. For example, the mass of the TMD can be mounted horizontally on rollers or on a sliding plane. In another embodiment, a nested pendulum is provided in which a second frame with a pendulum mass attached is suspended from the outer cables. Another variant considers a pendulum mass suspension by means of cables inclined outwards. There are also solutions in which the entire pendulum mass is based on a hanging pendulum mass and a pendulum mass mounted on pendulum supports is divided, both masses are coupled via a coupling rod. The pendulum mass mounted on the pendulum supports acts as an inverse pendulum, which produces a negative stiffness force. This negative stiffness force together with the positive stiffness force of the suspended pendulum mass results in an overall small stiffness force, whereby the natural frequency of the entire TMD can be very low. This type of TMD is called "Compound TMD". Even with all known TMD types that reduce the installation height, the damping elements and the spring elements are always arranged between the pendulum mass and the structure, whereby the damping elements are proportional to the relative speed of the TMD mass to the building mass and the spring elements are proportional to the relative displacement of the TMD mass work towards the building mass.

The building dampers described above are associated with increased effort and still require a large installation space within the building to be protected. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved building damper for protecting buildings against vibrations, which requires little installation space or is constructed as compactly and simply as possible and at the same time works reliably. Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a structure with such a structure damper.

According to the invention, the stated object is achieved with a structure damper according to claim 1 and a structure according to claim 26. Advantageous developments of the invention result from the dependent claims 2 to 25.

The structure damper according to the invention for protecting structures against vibrations thus has a first pendulum with a first pendulum mass, a second pendulum with a second pendulum mass, a coupling device and a damping device. The coupling device is arranged between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass and is designed in such a way that the first pendulum mass is coupled to the second pendulum mass in a direction of action of the structure damper and a relative movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in a direction of movement running at an angle to the direction of action is allowed. The structural damper is characterized in that the damping device is arranged between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass and is designed such that the relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass is damped.

The coupling of the first pendulum mass to the second pendulum mass in the direction of action of the structure damper has the effect that a relative movement in the direction of action between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass is prevented. The relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass is not limited to pure movements in this direction. The relative movement in the direction of movement also includes movements that contain a component in the direction of movement. With others A height offset in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass, which changes with the movement, is decisive. This also includes movements in which the first pendulum mass is tilted in relation to the second pendulum mass, so that only partial areas of the first pendulum mass execute a relative movement in the direction of movement compared to partial areas of the second pendulum mass. Advantageously, the direction of movement runs perpendicular to the direction of action.

Due to the arrangement and design of the coupling device and damping device between the two pendulum masses, these work proportionally to the relative displacement or relative speed in the direction of movement between the two pendulum masses and not, as with conventional TMDs, proportional to the horizontal relative displacement or relative speed between the entire pendulum mass and the building mass. When the two pendulum masses are deflected, the damping device acts on both pendulum masses via its force component in the effective direction and thus generates the damping of the coupled pendulum masses in the effective direction. This new TMD type is called "Compact TMD". A complex and space-consuming attachment of a damping element between the pendulum mass or pendulum masses and the building mass is no longer necessary.

The effective direction of the building damper preferably has a horizontal component or runs in the horizontal direction. As a result, the structure damper is designed to protect the structure against horizontally occurring vibrations or vibrations with a horizontal component. When the two pendulum masses are deflected horizontally, the damping device acts on both pendulum masses in the horizontal direction via its horizontal force component and thus produces the damping of the coupled pendulum masses in the horizontal direction.

The direction of movement preferably has a vertical component or runs in the vertical direction. As a result, the structural damper is optimally matched to the typical movements of a pendulum.

Advantageously, the first pendulum is a hanging pendulum, preferably having a wire suspension or pendulum rod suspension. The hanging pendulum can be of any type. For example, the hanging pendulum may have only a single pendulum rod or pendulum rope. It would also be possible to use two or more pendulum rods and/or pendulum cables. With a hanging pendulum, the first pendulum represents a particularly stable pendulum, since gravity returns the pendulum mass back to it from the central resting position after it has been deflected. In a further development, the second pendulum is an inverse pendulum, in particular a standing pendulum. Any configuration of the inverse pendulum is also conceivable here. For example, the inverse pendulum has one, two or more pendulum supports. The inverse pendulum is an unstable pendulum compared to the first hanging pendulum. By dividing the pendulum mass into a hanging pendulum mass and a standing pendulum mass, the overall height of the structure damper can be significantly reduced and very low natural frequencies can be achieved.

The first pendulum mass is preferably arranged below or above the second pendulum mass in the vertical direction or in the direction of movement. As a result, the installation space can be significantly reduced in the horizontal direction or in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement. Depending on whether the first pendulum mass is arranged below or above the second pendulum mass, the first pendulum and/or the second pendulum can be provided with the greatest possible pendulum length despite the reduced installation height in the vertical direction or in the direction of movement. As a result, the damping behavior and the natural frequency of the entire pendulum can be optimally adjusted to the requirements at hand, despite the reduced installation height.

In a further development, the coupling device is arranged between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in the direction of movement. In principle, the coupling device does not have to be aligned in the direction of movement for this. The arrangement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass thus also includes constellations in which the coupling device is arranged at an oblique angle to the direction of movement. With this feature, the building damper can be provided in a particularly compact manner or with the smallest possible installation space.

The coupling device is preferably integrated into the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass. For example, a portion of the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass can be designed in such a way that it represents part of the coupling device. An extension or a recess in the respective pendulum mass would thus be conceivable. It would also be possible for part of the coupling device to be arranged in a recess in the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass. With this feature, the building damper can be provided in a particularly compact manner or with the smallest possible installation space.

In a further development, the coupling device has a guide element which preferably acts and/or is arranged in the direction of movement. The guiding element can be of any type. For example, the guide element can be designed as a straight guide rail or straight guide tube. The guide element is preferably made of metal, for example steel or aluminum. A configuration as a recess or guide channel that runs within the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass would also be conceivable. In one example, the coupling device further includes a coupling element on that is in operative connection with the guide element. The coupling element is preferably a rod, a tube, some kind of guide or corresponding extension of the first and/or the second pendulum mass, which engages with the guide element. In one example, the first pendulum mass has the guide element and the second pendulum mass has the coupling element, or vice versa. In another example, the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass each have a guide element and the coupling element engages with both guide elements. The coupling of the first pendulum mass to the second pendulum mass in the direction of action can be established in a particularly simple manner by the guide element and the coupling element. In addition, the relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass is simultaneously permitted in a particularly simple manner.

The coupling device advantageously has an end stop which is designed in such a way that the relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass is limited. The end stop can be designed, for example, as a simple stop plate or as a complex stop mechanism. The end stop is preferably integrated into the guide element. In one example, when the entire pendulum is deflected, the end stop limits the movement apart of the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in the direction of movement. The end stop preferably has a damping material, such as plastic. But a more stable material can also be provided here, such as metal. The end stop limits the maximum distance in the direction of movement between the two pendulum masses and thus the maximum pendulum movement of the entire pendulum mass. In this way, the structural damper or the entire pendulum can be kept within a stable working range.

In a further development, the coupling device has an active stop device which is designed to limit a maximum possible relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass and to change it, preferably while the structure damper is in use. As a result, the active stop device can further reduce and ultimately stop the shift in the direction of movement between the two pendulum masses from oscillation cycle to oscillation cycle, which means that the two pendulum masses can be held in the center position in order to carry out inspection, maintenance, repair and other work. The active stop device can include, for example, a stop plate and a movement mechanism by which the stop plate can be changed in position. The active stopping device is preferably integrated into the guide element. In this case the position of the stop plate can be changed within or along the guide element.

The damping device is advantageously arranged in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass. In principle, the damping device does not have to be aligned in the direction of movement for this. The arrangement in the The direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass thus also includes constellations in which the damping device is arranged at an oblique angle to the direction of movement. With this feature, the building damper can be provided in a particularly compact manner or with the smallest possible installation space. The damping device can be designed separately from the coupling device. However, it would also be conceivable for the damping device to be integrated into the coupling device.

In one development, the damping device is arranged laterally on the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass in the direction of movement. The first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass preferably has a lateral extension between which the damping device is arranged. The arrangement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass also includes constellations in which the damping device is arranged at an oblique angle to the direction of movement. With this feature, the building damper can be provided in a particularly compact manner or with the smallest possible installation space.

The damping device is preferably integrated into the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass. For example, a portion of the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass can be designed in such a way that it represents part of the damping device. It would also be conceivable for part of the damping device to be arranged in a recess in the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass. With this feature, the building damper can be provided in a particularly compact manner or with the smallest possible installation space.

In a development, the damping device has linear-viscous, non-linear-viscous or active damping properties. As a result, the structural damper or the damping device can be optimally adjusted to the requirements at hand.

The damping device preferably has a passive hydraulic damper, a semi-active hydraulic damper, an eddy current damper and/or an active element, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator. As a result, the structural damper or the damping device can be optimally adjusted to the requirements at hand.

Advantageously, the structure damper comprises a rigidity device arranged between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass to stiffen the relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass. The in-direction stiffness device allows fine-tuning of the natural frequency of the coupled pendulum masses because, due to the deflection of the pendulum, the force of the in-direction stiffness device exerts a direction-of-action component on the pendulum masses. In one development, the rigidity device is arranged in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass. In principle, the rigidity device does not have to be aligned in the direction of movement for this. The arrangement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass thus also includes constellations in which the rigidity device is arranged at an oblique angle to the direction of movement. With this feature, the building damper can be provided in a particularly compact manner or with the smallest possible installation space. The rigidity device can be designed separately from the coupling device. However, it would also be conceivable for the rigidity device to be integrated into the coupling device.

The rigidity device is preferably arranged laterally on the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass in the direction of movement. The first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass preferably each have a lateral extension between which the rigidity device is arranged. The arrangement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass also includes constellations in which the rigidity device is arranged at an oblique angle to the direction of movement. With this feature, the building damper can be provided in a particularly compact manner or with the smallest possible installation space.

In a development, the rigidity device is integrated into the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass. For example, a portion of the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass can be designed in such a way that it represents part of the rigidity device. It would also be conceivable that part of the rigidity device is arranged in a recess in the first pendulum mass and/or the second pendulum mass. With this feature, the building damper can be provided in a particularly compact manner or with the smallest possible installation space.

The rigidity device preferably has a passive spring, a semi-active hydraulic damper and/or an active element, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator. As a result, the structural damper or the rigidity device can be optimally adjusted to the requirements at hand.

Advantageously, the first pendulum is designed as a transverse pendulum or physical pendulum. In the present disclosure, a transverse pendulum is understood to be a pendulum in which the pendulum mass only moves in a translatory but not in a rotary manner. At a physical pendulum, however, this coupling is rigid, so at a physical pendulum, the mass also moves rotationally. As a result, the structural damper can be optimally adjusted to the requirements at hand. The second pendulum is preferably designed as a transverse pendulum or physical pendulum. In the present disclosure, a transverse pendulum is understood to be a pendulum in which the pendulum mass only moves in a translatory but not in a rotary manner. At a physical pendulum, however, this coupling is rigid, so at a physical pendulum, the mass also moves rotationally. As a result, the structural damper can be optimally adjusted to the requirements at hand.

In a further development, the second pendulum has a, preferably single, pendulum rod. In the case of a single pendulum rod, this can in particular be arranged centrally on the second pendulum mass. In the present disclosure, a central arrangement is understood to mean that the pendulum rod acts on the second pendulum mass in the vertical direction below the center of gravity. This configuration is particularly advantageous if the second pendulum is designed as a physical pendulum.

The first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are preferably coupled to one another in an articulated manner. For this purpose, the coupling device, in particular the guide element or the coupling element, preferably has a joint, which enables the first pendulum mass to tilt relative to the second pendulum mass. Particularly preferably, the damping device and the rigidity device each have at least one joint so that such tilting is not blocked. This configuration is particularly advantageous if the first pendulum is designed as a transverse pendulum and the second pendulum is designed as a physical pendulum. In this case a deflection of the entire pendulum is still possible.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a structure is provided with a structure damper as described above, the structure preferably being a wind turbine, a high-rise building or another slender structure. It is therefore a question of structures in which the installation space for the structural damper is limited. The structure damper has a reduced installation space within the structure, in particular in the direction of action, and is constructed in a comparatively simple manner. The structure damper also only has to be attached to the structure at its two pendulum ends. Attaching a damper between the pendulum masses and the building mass is no longer necessary. The structure damper is therefore ideal for particularly narrow structures with specific requirements, such as wind turbines and high-rise buildings.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are now described schematically below with reference to figures, in which: 1 is a side view of a structure damper according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a central position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the structural damper shown in FIG. 1 with the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in the deflected position;

3 is a side view of a structural damper according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a central position;

Figure 4 is a side view of the structural damper shown in Figure 3 with the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in the deflected position;

5 is a fragmentary side view of a structural damper according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in the deflected position;

6 is a fragmentary side view of a structural damper according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, with the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in the deflected position;

7 is a fragmentary side view of a structural damper according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, with the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in a deflected position;

8 is a fragmentary side view of a structural damper according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, with the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in a deflected position;

9 is a side view of a structure damper according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass are in a central position;

Figure 10 is a side view of the structural damper shown in Figure 9 with the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass in the deflected position;

Identical components in the different embodiments are identified with the same reference numbers. 1 and 2 each show a structure damper 1 for protecting structures against vibration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The structure damper 1 is arranged within a structure 2 and contains a first pendulum 3 with a first pendulum mass 3a and a second pendulum 4 with a second pendulum mass 4a. The building 2 is preferably a wind turbine or a high-rise building.

The first pendulum 3 is designed as a hanging pendulum that has a pendulum rod suspension. Alternatively, however, a cable suspension could also be used. In the present embodiment, the first pendulum 3 includes two pendulum rods 3b which act above the two lateral ends of the first pendulum mass 3a. The first pendulum 3 is designed as a transverse pendulum. For this purpose, the first pendulum 3 has a joint 3c in the form of a cardan joint between the pendulum rods 3b and the structure 2 in each case. In addition, the first pendulum 3 has such a joint 3c between the pendulum rods 3b and the first pendulum mass 3a in order to articulately couple the first pendulum mass 3a to the two pendulum rods 3b.

The second pendulum 4 is designed as an inverse or standing pendulum. In this embodiment, the second pendulum 4 also includes two pendulum rods 4b which act below on the two lateral ends of the second pendulum mass 4a. The second pendulum 4 is also designed as a transverse pendulum. For this purpose, the second pendulum 4 has a joint 4c in the form of a cardan joint between the pendulum rods 4b and the building 2 in each case. In addition, the second pendulum

4 has such a joint 4c between the pendulum rods 4b and the second pendulum mass 4a in order to couple the second pendulum mass 4a in an articulated manner to the two pendulum rods 4b. The first pendulum mass 3a is arranged above the second pendulum mass 4a. In addition, the first pendulum mass 3a overlaps with the second pendulum mass 4a seen in the vertical direction V. In the example shown here, the first pendulum mass 3a is larger in terms of its spatial dimension in the vertical direction V and its weight than the second pendulum mass 4a. As a result, the entire pendulum arrangement is designed as a particularly stable system.

The structural damper 1 also includes a coupling device 5 which is arranged between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a and is designed in such a way that the first pendulum mass 3a is coupled to the second pendulum mass 4a in an effective direction of the structural damper 1 and a relative movement between the first Pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is permitted in a direction of movement running at an angle to the effective direction. In the present embodiment, the effective direction of the building damper 1 runs in the horizontal direction H and the direction of movement in the vertical direction V. The coupling device

5 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the coupling device 5 is connected to the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In order to correspondingly couple the first pendulum mass 3a to the second pendulum mass 4a and to permit a corresponding relative movement, the coupling device 5 has a guide element 5a which acts and is arranged in the vertical direction V. Furthermore, the coupling device 5 includes a coupling element 5b. The coupling device 5 is integrated into the second pendulum mass 4a. In particular, the guide element 5a is integrated into the second pendulum mass 4a. In the present example, the guide element 5a is designed as a recess within the second pendulum mass 4a in the form of a vertical guide channel. The coupling element 5b is designed to complement the guide element 5a. In particular, the coupling element 5b is provided as a vertical extension and is attached below the first pendulum mass 3a in order to engage with the guide element 5a inside the second pendulum mass 4a. The coupling element 5b can slide along within the guide element 5a so that the relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is guided by the coupling device 5 . The form fit between the coupling element 5b and the guide element 5a simultaneously ensures that the first pendulum mass 3a is coupled to the second pendulum mass 4a in the horizontal direction.

In addition, the structural damper 1 has a damping device 6 . The damping device 6 is arranged between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a and is designed so that the relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is damped. In the present embodiment, the damping device 6 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In particular, the damping device 6 is connected to the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a in order to exert a relative action between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In the example shown, the damping device 6 is aligned vertically. Furthermore, the damping device 6 is integrated both in the first pendulum mass 3a and in the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the damping device 6 is arranged in a recess in the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a.

The damping device 6 has linear viscous damping properties. However, it would also be conceivable for the damping device 6 not to contain linear-viscous or active damping properties. In the present example, the damping device 6 is designed as a passive hydraulic damper. Depending on the damping properties, however, the damping device 6 can also be designed in a different form. For example, the damping device 6 can contain a semi-active hydraulic damper, an eddy current damper or an active element, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator. The structural damper 1 further comprises a rigidity device 7 which is arranged between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a in order to stiffen the relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In the present example, the rigidity device 7 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. In particular, the rigidity device 7 is connected to both the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. Furthermore, the rigidity device 7 is oriented vertically. In the embodiment shown, the rigidity device 7 is integrated into the first pendulum mass 3a and into the second pendulum mass 4a. In particular, the rigidity device 7 is arranged in a recess in the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. The rigidity device 7 is designed as a passive spring. However, the rigidity device 7 can also contain a semi-active hydraulic damper or an active element, in particular an electric motor or hydraulic actuator.

The mode of operation of the building damper 1 is described below with reference to FIGS. In Fig. 1 the building damper 1 is shown in its initial position. The entire pendulum consisting of the first pendulum 3 and the second pendulum 4 is in a central position. 2, on the other hand, shows the structural damper 1 or the entire pendulum in a deflected position. As soon as oscillations occur in the horizontal direction, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a are deflected horizontally. There is a horizontal deflection HA of the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. As described above, the first pendulum mass 3a is coupled to the second pendulum mass 4a in the horizontal direction. However, a relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is permitted. Thus, with the deflection of the entire pendulum, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a move apart in the vertical direction V. In other words, the vertical distance VA between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a increases with the deflection of the entire pendulum. Correspondingly, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a are moved towards one another again in the vertical direction V with the swinging back into the central position. The vertical distance VA between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a thus decreases again.

These relative movements in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a are damped by the damping device 6 and reinforced by the rigidity device 7 . The damping device 6 works proportionally to the relative speed or relative displacement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. The horizontal damping force on the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4 arises during the pendulum movement in the horizontal direction H, since the vertical damping force with a horizontal force component on the first Pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a acts. The rigidity device 7 operates in proportion to the relative displacement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. The stiffness device 7 allows the natural frequency of the coupled first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a to be fine-tuned, since the force of the stiffness device exerts a horizontal component on the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a due to the horizontal deflection of the pendulum.

With the configuration described above, an improved structure damper for protecting structures against vibrations is provided, which requires little installation space or is constructed in a particularly compact and simple manner and at the same time works reliably.

3 and 4, a structure damper 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. 3 shows the structural damper 1 or the entire pendulum in a central position. In FIG. 4, on the other hand, the entire pendulum is shown in a deflected position. The structural damper 1 of the second embodiment essentially corresponds to the structural damper 1 of the first embodiment. The identical components are not discussed further below. However, the structural damper 1 of the second embodiment differs in that the first pendulum mass 3a is arranged below the second pendulum mass 4a. The spatial dimensions of the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a are adjusted accordingly, so that a deflection of the pendulum as a whole is still possible. In addition, the guide element 5a is integrated into the first pendulum mass 3a and the coupling device 5b is arranged below the second pendulum mass 4a. With the present configuration, the first pendulum 3 and the second pendulum 4 have the greatest possible pendulum length with the smallest possible installation space for the structural damper 1 .

The functioning of the building damper 1 corresponds in principle to that of the first embodiment. Here, however, it is the case that when the pendulum is deflected in the horizontal direction H, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a move in the vertical direction relative to one another. Further, the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a are moved apart in the vertical direction V with the return of the pendulum to the central position. The vertical distance VA between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a behaves accordingly.

FIG. 5 shows a structural damper 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The structural damper 1 of the third embodiment essentially corresponds to the structural damper 1 of the first embodiment. The identical components are not discussed further below. However, the structural damper 1 of the third embodiment differs in that the coupling device 5 has an end stop 5d. In this example, the guide element 5a has the end stop 5d. The end stop 5d is designed in such a way that the relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is limited. For this purpose, the guide element 5a and the coupling element 5b are T-shaped. The end stop 5d is arranged in the vertical direction at the upper end of the guide element 5a in the form of a perforated stop plate, the coupling element 5b being guided through the corresponding hole in the stop plate. If the entire pendulum is thus deflected, the coupling element 5b hits the end stop 5d of the guide element 5a in the vertical direction with a sufficiently large deflection of the entire pendulum. As a result, the maximum horizontal deflection of the entire pendulum can be limited.

6 shows a structural damper 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The structural damper 1 of the fourth embodiment essentially corresponds to the structural damper 1 of the third embodiment. The identical components are not discussed further below. However, the structural damper 1 of the fourth embodiment differs in that the coupling device 5 has an active stop device 5e instead of an end stop. The active stop device 5e is basically designed like the end stop 5d. However, the active stop device is additionally designed to limit the maximum possible relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a and at the same time to change it while the structural damper 1 is in use. For this purpose, the active stop device 5e has a motor that can change the vertical position of the stop plate within the guide element 5a. For example, after each oscillation cycle of the pendulum, the stop plate can be moved down a little further, so that the maximum possible horizontal deflection is further limited and ultimately stopped.

7 shows a building damper 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The structural damper 1 of the fifth embodiment essentially corresponds to the structural damper 1 of the second embodiment. The identical components are not discussed further below. However, the structural damper 1 of the fifth embodiment differs in that here too the coupling device 5 has an end stop 5d which is designed such that the relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a is limited. In this example, the guide element 5a is designed as a straight guide channel within the first pendulum mass 3a. The coupling element 5b, on the other hand, is T-shaped in order to be guided in the vertical direction V within the guide element 5a. The end stop 5d is arranged at the vertical lower end of the guide element 5a. Furthermore, the end stop 5d is designed as a continuous stop plate. If the entire pendulum is thus deflected, the coupling element 5b hits the end stop 5d of the guide element 5a in the vertical direction with a sufficiently large deflection of the entire pendulum. As a result, the maximum horizontal deflection of the entire pendulum can be limited. 8 shows a structural damper 1 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The structural damper 1 of the sixth embodiment essentially corresponds to the structural damper 1 of the fifth embodiment. The identical components are not discussed further below. However, the structural damper 1 of the sixth form of embodiment differs in that the coupling device 5 has an active stop device 5e instead of an end stop. In principle, the active stopping device 5e is formed as the end stop 5d. However, the active stop device 5e is also designed to limit the maximum possible relative movement in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a and at the same time to change it while the structural damper 1 is in use. For this purpose, the active stop device 5e has a motor that can change the vertical position of the stop plate within the guide element 5a. For example, after each oscillation cycle of the pendulum, the stop plate can be moved up a little further, so that the maximum possible horizontal deflection is increasingly limited and ultimately stopped.

9 and 10, a structure damper 1 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown. 9 shows the entire pendulum in the central rest position. In Fig. 10, on the other hand, the entire pendulum is illustrated in a deflected position. The structural damper 1 of the seventh embodiment essentially corresponds to the structural damper 1 of the first embodiment. The identical components are not discussed further below. However, the building damper 1 of the seventh embodiment differs in that the second pendulum 4 is designed as a physical pendulum. For this purpose, the second pendulum 4 has a single pendulum rod 4b, which is attached rigidly and centrally below the second pendulum mass 4a.

In addition, the first pendulum mass 3a is coupled in an articulated manner to the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the coupling device 5 has a joint 5c in the form of a cardan joint. In the present example, the joint 5c is arranged between the coupling element 5b and the first pendulum mass 3a. Furthermore, the damping device 6 and the rigidity device 7 each have two joints 6a and 7a in order to enable the articulated coupling of the first pendulum mass 3a to the second pendulum mass 4a. In this embodiment, the damping device 6 is arranged laterally in the vertical direction V on the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the first pendulum mass 3a has a lateral extension 3d and the second pendulum mass 4a has a lateral extension 4d. The damping device 6 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the lateral extension 3d of the first pendulum mass 3a and the lateral extension 4d of the second pendulum mass 4a via a respective joint 6a. The rigidity device 7 is also arranged laterally in the vertical direction V on the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a. For this purpose, the first pendulum mass 3a has a further lateral extension 3d and the second pendulum mass 4a has a further lateral extension 4d. The rigidity device 7 is arranged in the vertical direction V between the lateral extension 3d of the first pendulum mass 3a and the lateral extension 4d of the second pendulum mass 4a via a respective joint 7a.

The functioning of the building damper 1 corresponds in principle to that of the first embodiment. Here, however, it is the case that when the pendulum is deflected in the horizontal direction H, the first pendulum mass 3a is also tilted in relation to the second pendulum mass 4a, see Fig. 10. The relative displacements or relative speeds in the vertical direction V between the first pendulum mass 3a and the second pendulum mass 4a in the area of the damping device 6 and the rigidity device 7 are therefore not identical. After the horizontal deflection HA of the entire pendulum, the vertical distance VA between the extensions 3d and 4d in the area of the damping device 6 and the rigidity device 7 has grown to different extents.

Ultimately, an improved structure damper for protecting structures against vibrations is provided, which requires little installation space or is constructed in a particularly compact and simple manner and at the same time works reliably.

REFERENCE MARKS

1 structure damper

2 structure

3 First pendulum

3a First pendulum mass

3b pendulum rod

3c joint

3d lateral process

4 Second pendulum

4a Second pendulum mass

4b pendulum rod

4c joint

4d Lateral process

5 coupling device

5a guide element

5b coupling element

5c joint

5d end stop

5e Active stopping device

6 damping device

6a joint

7 rigidity device 7a joint

H Horizontal direction

HA Horizontal deflection

V Vertical direction VA Vertical distance

Claims

CLAIMS Structure damper (1) for protecting structures against vibrations, comprising: a first pendulum (3) with a first pendulum mass (3a); a second pendulum (4) with a second pendulum mass (4a); a coupling device (5); and a damping device (6), wherein the coupling device (5) is arranged between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a) and is designed in such a way that the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a) are in one is coupled to the direction of action of the structural damper (1) and a relative movement between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a) is permitted in a direction of movement running at an angle to the direction of action, characterized in that the damping device (6) between the first pendulum mass ( 3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a) and is designed such that the relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a) is damped. Structure damper (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the effective direction of the structure damper (1) has a horizontal component or runs in the horizontal direction (H). Structure damper (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the direction of movement has a vertical component or runs in the vertical direction (V). Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first pendulum (3) is a hanging pendulum which preferably has a cable suspension or pendulum rod suspension. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second pendulum (4) is an inverse pendulum, in particular a standing pendulum. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first pendulum mass (3a) is arranged below or above the second pendulum mass (4a) in the direction of movement. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (5) is arranged in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a). Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (5) is integrated into the first pendulum mass (3a) and/or the second pendulum mass (4a). Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (5) has a guide element (5a) which preferably acts and/or is arranged in the direction of movement. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (5) has an end stop (5d) which is designed in such a way that the relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass ( 4a) is limited. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (5) has an active stop device (5e) which is designed to limit a maximum possible relative movement in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second To limit the pendulum mass (4a) and to change it, preferably during a state of use of the structural damper (1). Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping device (6) is arranged in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a). Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping device (6) is arranged laterally on the first pendulum mass (3a) and/or the second pendulum mass (4a) in the direction of movement. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping device (6) is integrated into the first pendulum mass (3a) and/or the second pendulum mass (4a). Structural damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping device (6) has linear-viscous, non-linear-viscous or active damping properties. Structural damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping device (6) has a passive hydraulic damper, a semi-active hydraulic damper, an eddy current damper and/or an active element, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure damper (1) has a rigidity device (7) which is arranged between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a) in order to limit the relative movement in the To stiffen the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a). Structure damper (1) according to Claim 17, characterized in that the rigidity device (7) is arranged in the direction of movement between the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a). Structure damper (1) according to Claim 17 or 178, characterized in that the rigidity device (7) is arranged laterally on the first pendulum mass (3a) and/or the second pendulum mass (4a) in the direction of movement. Structure damper (1) according to one of Claims 17 to 19, characterized in that 21 the rigidity device (7) is integrated into the first pendulum mass (3a) and/or the second pendulum mass (4a). Structure damper (1) according to one of Claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the rigidity device (7) has a passive spring, a semi-active hydraulic damper and/or an active element, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first pendulum (3) is designed as a transverse pendulum or physical pendulum. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second pendulum (4) is designed as a transverse pendulum or physical pendulum. Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second pendulum (4) has a, preferably individual, pendulum rod (4b). Structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first pendulum mass (3a) and the second pendulum mass (4a) are coupled to one another in an articulated manner. Structure (2) with a structure damper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (2) is preferably a wind turbine or a high-rise building.