Trillingsdempers

Trillingsdempers, or vibration dampers, are devices or materials used to reduce the amplitude of mechanical vibrations in structures and machinery. They work by dissipating energy as heat or by altering the dynamic response, helping to prevent resonance, reduce noise, and protect components from fatigue.

Common implementations include viscoelastic dampers that use materials whose stiffness and damping change with strain and temperature; tuned mass dampers that add a secondary oscillating mass coupled by a spring to counteract dominant vibration modes; elastomeric mounts and rubber isolators that decouple equipment from supporting structures; friction dampers that convert kinetic energy into heat via sliding surfaces; and fluid or hydraulic dampers that absorb motion through viscous resistance.

Operating principle: passive trillingsdempers rely on inherent material damping or viscous forces, while active systems use sensors and actuators to tailor the response. Tuned mass dampers are designed so that the two-degree-of-freedom system shifts the resonance away from excitation frequencies.

Applications: civil engineering for buildings and bridges subject to wind or earthquakes; aerospace and automotive industries to reduce engine, rotor, or airframe vibrations; machinery and precision equipment to protect sensitive components; consumer electronics and photovoltaics for vibration isolation.

Design considerations include selecting the damping ratio, natural frequency, load capacity, temperature range, aging and wear, space constraints, and maintenance needs. Trade-offs between isolation performance, stiffness, and added weight are common.

See also: damping, vibration isolation, shock absorber, tuned mass damper.