Importance

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Abstract

A system for achieving a high degree of damping in beams and structures made from beam-type elements such as machine tools and automation equipment, although the invention can apply to any type of structure which requires damping and/or temperature control. The invention is also concerned with utilization of the same structure to obtain a high degree of temperature control in some cases. A high degree of damping is obtained by making the beam hollow and inserting one or more structural members inside the beam along its approximate length, and then filling the annulus between the axial internal members and the external surrounding structure with a viscoelastic energy absorbing material such that the inner structures and the outer structure are fully linked in shear by the viscoelastic material so that any bending in the beams results in relative shear displacement between the beams which shears the viscoelastic material and thereby dissipates vibration energy. To be effective, the internal structural members must be carefully sized so that their cross sectional area is a substantial portion of the cross sectional area of the outer surrounding structure, and the internal structural members' neutral axes should be located as far as possible away from the surrounding structure's neutral axis. Furthermore, when the internal members are configured as tubes, temperature-controlled fluid (e.g., water) can be circulated through the tubes and used to control the temperature of the structure.

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First Claim