The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 14, 2014
Filed:
Nov. 09, 2012
Michael C. Constantinou, Amherst, NY (US);
Andrei M. Reinhorn, Williamsville, NY (US);
Apostolos A. Sarlis, Buffalo, NY (US);
Douglas Taylor, N. Tonawanda, NY (US);
David A. Lee, Santa Monica, CA (US);
Satish Nagarajaiah, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Dharma Theja R. Pasala, Houston, TX (US);
Michael C. Constantinou, Amherst, NY (US);
Andrei M. Reinhorn, Williamsville, NY (US);
Apostolos A. Sarlis, Buffalo, NY (US);
Douglas Taylor, N. Tonawanda, NY (US);
David A. Lee, Santa Monica, CA (US);
Satish Nagarajaiah, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Dharma Theja R. Pasala, Houston, TX (US);
The Research Foundation for The State University of New York, Amherst, NY (US);
William Marsh Rice University, Houston, TX (US);
Taylor Devices, Inc., North Tonawanda, NY (US);
Abstract
A negative stiffness device and method for seismic protection of a structure is described. In one embodiment, the device has an anchor frame and a movement frame laterally translatable relative to the anchor frame. The anchor frame and movement frame have respective extension portions. A linkage is pivotably connected to the extension portion of the anchor frame. A compressed spring has a first end is attached to the extension portion of the movement frame and a second end attached to the linkage. The compressed spring has a spring force. In a rest state, the compressed spring does not apply a lateral force to the movement frame. In an engaged state, the compressed spring is configured to apply a lateral force to displace the movement frame in a lateral direction of a seismic load. The spring force is amplified by the linkage when the movement frame is laterally displaced to an amplification point.