Specialty shock and vibration control products are specialty or proprietary products and accessories related to shock and vibration absorption. They use one or more unique technologies. Examples include elastomeric products, composite and rubber-based materials (rubber bumpers), dashpots, ferromagnetic fluids, shock absorbers, mechanical springs, extensional damping systems, electromechanical actuators, active vibration control systems, and mass dampers. Other types of specialty shock and vibration control products are also available.
Specialty shock and vibration control products often use energy-absorbing materials that are made of elastomers, composites, or rubber. Elastomeric and rubber materials have a springy nature that results from their very high elongation or elastic deformation properties. Elastomeric materials absorb shock and vibration by elastically deforming when a shock load is applied. Certain elastomers and gel materials also have viscoelastic properties, which can provide a dampening effect in addition to springiness. Bumpers, pads, vibration isolators, vibration mounts, and shock absorbers are often manufactured from elastomeric materials.
Cast irons, foams, nonwoven textiles, dampening composite materials and other select damping materials can have excellent dampening characteristics. These specialty shock and vibration control products can be used as either a vibration control product or a shock reduction system. Dampening materials often consist of two-phase materials that create interfaces within the material for dampening vibrations. In cast irons, the flake-graphite phase absorbs vibrations. Vibration mounts, bumpers or pads, shock absorbing couplers, shock absorber components and machine bases are often constructed from an energy absorbing, damping or isolation materials.
With specialty shock and vibration control products that are made of foam or nonwoven textiles, dampening is provided by open or closed porosity in the second phase. Elastomeric foams also use elastic or viscoelastic effects to reduce shock and vibration. Foams and foam parts are used to cushion against shock, absorb shock loads or explosions, and provide a sound and vibration barrier. Cushions, wraps, covers, blankets, enclosures, pads, shields and barriers, and other specialty shock and vibration control products are often constructed from foams and nonwoven materials.
Highly viscous fluids, greases, and ferrromagnetic fluids are specialized shock and vibration control products that used within larger shock control products or vibration reduction systems. Dampers and shock absorbers may contain a fluid with a controlled, stable-viscosity characteristic. The viscosity or flow-properties of the fluid provides the dampening in the shock or vibration control device. Viscous greases are used within mechanical components and between joints to enhance dampening and vibration control. Ferrofluids, magneto-rheological (MR) fluids or magnetic fluids consist of fine ferromagnetic particles dispersed in a liquid. The viscosity of the fluid changes under an applied magnetic field. Ferrofluids are used in speakers, dynamic rotary seals, brake or specialized dampening devices.
Mass dampers and active vibration control systems are specialty shock and vibration control products that provide a mechanical response to shock and vibration loads in order to reduce the loads transmitted to the rest of a vehicle, building or system. Active vibration control products use cancellation to attenuate or eliminate unwanted vibrations. By contrast, passive vibration control products use materials to absorb vibrations. Active vibration control products include controllers, sensors, actuators, and other electro-acoustical products for limiting or canceling noise or vibration. Harmonic absorbers and mass dampers are often mounted on the top of high-rise building to absorb vibrations produced by wind or earthquake loading. Mass dampers consist of huge steel or concrete weights that move in opposition to the applied loads.
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