Cable damper

Abstract

Damping arrangement for damping vibrations of cables or ropes, for vibration damping in carrier cables of bridges in particular, with at least one elastic element ( 5 to 8, 21 ) for reduction of vibration energy by elastic deformation, wherein said elastic element ( 5 to 8, 21 ) is arranged between a plurality of cables ( 17, 18, 19 ) to be dampened, in particular, however, between two cables ( 17, 18 ) or between said cable ( 1 ) to be dampened and a support element ( 9 ), as well as a carrier cable arrangement with at least one cable and at least one corresponding damping arrangement.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A damping arrangement for damping vibrations of cables or ropes, for vibration damping in carrier cables of bridges in particular, with at least one elastic element ( 5  to  8 ,  21 ) for reduction of vibration energy by elastic deformation, 
 wherein said elastic element ( 5  to  8 ,  21 ) is arranged between a plurality of cables ( 17 ,  18 ,  19 ) to be dampened, at least, however, between two cables ( 17 ,  18 ) or between said cable ( 1 ) to be dampened and a support element ( 9 ,  25 ,  26 ).  
 
     
     
         2 . The damping arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , 
 wherein said elastic element ( 21 ) is arranged in direct contact with said cables ( 17 ,  18 ,  19 ) and keeps those at a defined distance.    
     
     
         3 . The damping arrangement as defined in  claim 1  or  2 , 
 wherein said damping arrangement in addition includes at least one armoring ( 20 ) holding said cables ( 17 ,  18 ,  19 ) in contact with said elastic element ( 21 ).  
 
     
     
         4 . The damping arrangement as defined in one of  claims 1  to  3 , 
 wherein the distance of said cables ( 17 ,  18 ,  19 ) is dimensioned by said elastic element ( 21 ) such that in case of wind loads an aeration which reduces vibration of said cables ( 17 ,  18 ,  19 ) is effected in the area not facing the wind.  
 
     
     
         5 . The damping arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , 
 wherein said support element ( 9 ,  25 ,  26 ) is arranged in the vicinity of said anchoring point of said cable ( 1 ).    
     
     
         6 . The damping arrangement as defined in  claim 1  or  5 , 
 wherein said support element ( 9 ) is built at least as part of a protective tube ( 10 ) for said anchoring point of said cable ( 1 ).  
 
     
     
         7 . The damping arrangement as defined in  claim 1  or  5 , 
 wherein said support element is embodied as lever ( 26 ) resistant to deflection in particular or as anchoring element ( 25 ), wherein said lever ( 26 ) or said anchoring element ( 25 ) are arranged at a point or constructional element stationary with respect to said cable ( 1 ), at the bridge deck or a bridge support in particular, namely in particular in the plane of said cable, extending perpendicularly to said bridge deck or said bridge support.  
 
     
     
         8 . The damping arrangement as defined in one of claims  1 ,  5 ,  6  or  7 , 
 wherein for defined arrangement of said elastic elements ( 5  to  8 ) between support element ( 9 ,  25 ,  26 ) and cable ( 1 ) or between cables ( 17 ,  18 ) to be dampened a holding arrangement ( 22 ,  22 ′) is provided for, including holding elements ( 2  to  4 ), holding disks or plates in particular, between which said elastic elements ( 5  to  8 ) are received.  
 
     
     
         9 . The damping arrangement as defined in  claim 8 , 
 wherein of said two holding elements ( 2 ,  4 ;  3 ,  4 ) of said holding arrangement, which hold between them at least one elastic element ( 6 ,  7 ;  5 ,  8 ), one is effective connection with a cable ( 1 ,  17 ) and the other is in effective connection with at least one other cable (countercable) ( 18 ) or a support element ( 9 ,  25 ,  26 ), and namely such that said at least one elastic element ( 5 ,  8 ) during occurrence of cable vibration to be dampened essentially experiences a thrust distortion.    
     
     
         10 . The damping arrangement as defined in  claim 9 , 
 wherein for generation of said effective connection between said cable ( 1 ,  17 ,  18 ) to be dampened and said holding element ( 2  to  4 ) at least one transfer element ( 24   27 ) is provided for.    
     
     
         11 . The damping arrangement as defined in  claim 8  or  9 , 
 wherein said holding elements ( 2  to  4 ) are formed as annular disks mounted with their outer circumference to said support element ( 9 ) and with said inner circumference are solidly connected to said cable ( 1 ).  
 
     
     
         12 . The damping arrangement as defined in one of  claims 8  to  11 , 
 wherein said elastic element ( 5  to  8 ) at each of its ends which are arranged on said holding elements ( 2  to  4 ) comprises a mounting disk ( 23 ) stationarily received in said holding elements ( 2  to  4 ) or connected thereto).  
 
     
     
         13 . The damping arrangement as defined in  claim 12 , 
 wherein said mounting disk ( 23 ) is vulcanized or glued to said elastic element ( 5  to  8 ).    
     
     
         14 . The damping arrangement as defined in one of  claims 8  to  13 , 
 wherein said holding elements ( 2  to  4 ) are fixed to said cable ( 1 ,  17 ,  18 ), support element ( 9 ,  25 ,  26 ) and/or transfer element ( 24 ,  27 ) by positive lock, press lock or material lock, by welding, glueing or by pressure seat in particular.  
 
     
     
         15 . The damping arrangement as defined in one of the preceding claims, 
 wherein said elastic elements ( 5  to  8 ,  21 ) are made out of elastomere material, silicone rubber or butyl rubber in particular.    
     
     
         16 . The damping arrangement as defined in one of the preceding claims, 
 wherein said damping arrangement includes a casing ( 29 ) or a cover.    
     
     
         17 . The damping arrangement as defined in one of the preceding claims, 
 wherein the damping effect essentially is caused by an elastic thrust distortion of said elastic elements ( 5  to  8 ,  21 ).    
     
     
         18 . A carrier cable arrangement with at least one cable ( 1 ,  17  to  19 ) and at least one damping arrangement as defined in one of  claims 1  to  17 , with several damping arrangements as defined in  claims 1  to  4  or  15  to  17  in particular or at least one damping arrangement as defined in one of the claims  1  or  5  to  17 .