Demper

Demper is a term used in engineering to denote a device or mechanism that dissipates energy, reducing the amplitude of motion or fluctuations. In English usage, the more common spelling is damper, but demper appears in some languages and technical contexts as an alternative form. The underlying function across these senses is damping: transforming kinetic or acoustic energy into heat or other non-recoverable forms to limit vibration, noise, or rapid movement.

Applications of dampers span several fields. Mechanical dampers convert motion into heat through viscous, friction, or magnetic means. In vehicles, shock absorbers and struts are dampers that control suspension movement. In machinery and buildings, dampers mitigate vibrations from operation, wind, or earthquakes; tuned mass dampers in tall structures and seismic dampers in bridges are examples that reduce resonance. Other common types include hydraulic and pneumatic dampers used in various mechanisms to smooth motion.

Other specialized dampers include HVAC dampers, which regulate airflow in ducts by adjusting openings, typically controlled by actuators; acoustic dampers or absorbers, which reduce noise by dissipating sound energy; and fluid or gas dampers that rely on viscous or compressive resistance to attenuate movement.

Design considerations focus on damping force, stiffness, natural frequency, and the damping ratio. The goal is to dissipate enough energy to prevent excessive oscillations while maintaining acceptable system response. Too little damping allows resonance; too much damping can slow or blunt performance. Selection depends on load, operating frequency, safety, and comfort requirements.

See also: damper, damping, shock absorber, tuned mass damper, HVAC damper.