An inertia damper is a device that counters vibration using the effects of
inertia
Inertia is the natural tendency of objects in motion to stay in motion and objects at rest to stay at rest, unless a force causes the velocity to change. It is one of the fundamental principles in classical physics, and described by Isaac Newto ...
and other forces and motion. The damper does not negate the forces but either absorbs or redirects them by other means. For example, a large and heavy suspended body may be used to absorb several short-duration large forces, and to reapply those forces as a smaller force over a longer period.
Real-world applications and devices
Inertial compensators are also used in simulators or rides, making them more realistic by creating artificial sensations of acceleration and other movement. The Disneyland ride “Star Tours: The Adventure Continues” is a fair example of this principle.
There are many types of physical devices that can act as inertia dampers:
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Stockbridge damper
A Stockbridge damper is a tuned mass damper used to suppress wind-induced vibrations on slender structures such as overhead power line
An overhead power line is a structure used in electric power transmission and distribution to transmit elect ...
- absorbs resonant wave motions in wire and support cables, seen on high voltage power lines.
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Shock absorber
A shock absorber or damper is a mechanical or hydraulics, hydraulic device designed to absorb and Damping ratio, damp shock (mechanics), shock impulses. It does this by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy (typic ...
- motion redirected as heating of viscous oil forced through a restrictive passage
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Inerter (mechanical networks)
In the study of mechanical networks in control theory, an inerter is a two-terminal device in which the forces applied at the terminals are equal, opposite, and proportional to relative acceleration between the nodes. Under the name of J-damper t ...
A mechanical analog to an electrical capacitor.
* Rotary damper - rotary motion is dissipated as heat in a highly viscous fluid or gel. May use a smooth surface rotating cylinder and a smooth surface stationary interior wall with fluid/gel between. For more forceful motion absorption and higher surface area, a paddle wheel or toothed gear is used, with a similarly ribbed or studded stationary interior wall to more forcefully grip the fluid/gel.
[Phytron: ftp://ftp.phytron.de/phytron-usa/equipment/damper/dmp-us.pdf]
See also
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References
Force
Mass
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