Trw Limited

Theodore W Nye

Allen J Bronowicki

George R Dvorsky

Richard E Wyse

Nicholas Robert Steffen

Jeffrey L Baker

Claude I Kansaku

Modular control patches including assemblies of sensors and actuators are provided to impart or control vibration of foundation members such as struts in aerospace apparatus. Local digital electronic control means is associated with each control patch assembly. Programmable digital compensators in the control permits operation of the patches to be remotely varied. Patches are attached mechanically or by chemical bonding to the outside of the struts so that the electronics can be selectively removed and replaced. The patch being the sensors and actuators may also be attached or embedded with a composite structure.

Digital control of smart structures

Modular control patches including assemblies of sensors and actuators are provided to impart or control vibration of foundation members such as struts in aerospace apparatus. Local analog electronic control means is associated with each control patch assembly. Patches are attached mechanically or by chemical bonding to the outside of the struts. The corresponding electronics can be selectively removed and replaced. The patch being the sensors and actuators may also be attached or embedded with a composite structure.

Smart structures for vibration suppression

A low vibroacoustic structure 10 according to the present invention comprises a first facesheet 12 defining a plurality of first holes 22, a second facesheet 16 defining a plurality of second holes 36, and a core 14. The first and second facesheets are attached to opposed surfaces of the core. The core defines a plurality of passages 32 in communication with the first and second holes to form channels 38 through the structure. The core is typically a honeycomb sheet. The first and second facesheets and the core are formed of lightweight materials such as lightweight metals, metal matrix composites, or polymer matrix composites. The perforated structure reduces structural acoustic coupling and acoustically induced vibration. The structure can be formed as a panel. The panel can be attached to support structures exposed to high-energy acoustic environments to reduce acoustically induced vibration of the structures.

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Redondo Beach, CA, United States of America

Theodore W Nye