Seismic isolator with variable curvature

Abstract

A seismic isolator includes a slider, and a path with non-fixed curvature; the path is positioned on a base; the slider is placed on the path, and bears the weight of a super-structure; the path with non-fixed curvature can be a smoothly curved surface; a layer of ductile material with high compressibility is mounted between the slider and the path with non-fixed curvature; therefore, when an earthquake occurs, the slider will slide on the path with non-fixed curvature to produce vibration isolation effect for the superstructure; loading capacity of the isolator increases, and resonance between the isolator and low-frequency earthquakes is prevented.

1 . A seismic isolator with variable curvature, comprising 
 a smoothly curved surface with non-fixed curvature positioned between a base and a super-structure;    a slider positioned between the base and the super-structure, and touching the smoothly curved surface; and    a layer of ductile material with high compressibility positioned between the smoothly curved surface and the slider;    whereby the slider will slide on the smoothly curved surface with non-fixed curvature to produce vibration isolation effect for the super-structure when an earthquake occurs.    
   
   
       2 . A seismic isolator with variable curvature, comprising 
 a path with non-fixed curvature positioned between a base and a super-structure;    a slider positioned between the base and the super-structure, and touching the path; and    a layer of ductile material with high compressibility positioned between the path and the slider;    whereby the slider will slide on the path with non-fixed curvature to produce vibration isolation effect for the super-structure when an earthquake occurs.    
   
   
       3 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the curved surface is positioned on the base, and the slider bears weight of the super-structure.  
   
   
       4 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the curved surface bears weight of the super-structure, and the slider is positioned on the base.  
   
   
       5 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base is a three-dimensional curved plate.  
   
   
       6 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base is a two-dimensional curved bar with a certain thickness.  
   
   
       7 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1;  wherein the smoothly curved surface is a continuous mathematical function.  
   
   
       8 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the smoothly curved surface is axially symmetric about a central axis.  
   
   
       9 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the slider works together with a bearing member adjustable in height, and it is connected to the super-structure with help of the bearing member.  
   
   
       10 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the slider is semispherical, and it is received in an articulated ball-shaped recess to be connected with the super-structure.  
   
   
       11 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the articulated ball-shaped recess is formed on a bearing member adjustable in height.  
   
   
       12 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ductile material is high polymer.  
   
   
       13 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ductile material is a metallic one.  
   
   
       14 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ductile material is fitted in the slider.  
   
   
       15 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein shear keys are formed on a joint between the ductile material and the slider.  
   
   
       16 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a confinement ring is positioned around an edge of a joint between the ductile material and the slider.  
   
   
       17 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the super-structure is a civil engineering structure.  
   
   
       18 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the super-structure is a facility.  
   
   
       19 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the smoothly curved surface is a machined metallic material.  
   
   
       20 . The seismic isolator with variable curvature as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the smoothly curved surface is a synthetic material with high hardness and low friction coefficient.