Energy dissipator for tractive loads

Abstract

A strain energy dissipative device for tensile loads with self-centering capability comprising: a housing accommodating a first pivoting rigid element and a second pivoting rigid element, connected in corresponding intermediate positions to corresponding first and second rigid connecting rods; an interconnecting rigid element, connected to the first rigid connecting rod, second rigid connecting rod and to a system of linear resilient elements; a mechanical system, connected to the housing, for deforming the resilient element system; first and second load transmission ring systems in contact with the first and second pivoting rigid elements, respectively, and sliding in their corresponding length; and a cylindrical shaft for transferring the external tensile load to the first and second load transmission ring.

1 . A strain energy dissipative device for tensile loads with self-centering capability for protecting a structural system, comprising:
 a housing;   at least one first pivoting rigid element having a corresponding first end pivotally connected to a first inner point of the housing and a corresponding second end, opposite to the first end, which is hook-shaped;   at least a second pivoting rigid element having a corresponding first end pivotally connected to a second inner point of the housing which is opposite to the first inner point, and a corresponding second end, opposite to the first end, which is hook-shaped;   at least one first rigid connecting rod having a corresponding first end and a corresponding second end, wherein the first end of the first rigid connecting rod is connected to an intermediate point of the at least one first pivoting rigid element and wherein the second end of the first rigid connecting rod is pivotally connected to an interconnecting rigid element; at least one second rigid connecting rod ( 6 ) having a corresponding first end and a corresponding second end, wherein the first end of the second rigid connecting rod is connected to an intermediate point of the at least one second pivoting rigid element and wherein the second end of the second rigid connecting rod is pivotally connected to the interconnecting rigid element;   at least one interconnecting rigid element connected to the first rigid connecting rod to the second rigid connecting rod and to at least one linear resilient element of a restitution assembly;   a load transmission system comprising at least one load transmission element of cylindrical shape, a first ring and at least a second ring arranged annularly in relation to the load transmission element each ring having a corresponding flat surface perpendicular to the radial direction of the load transmission element said corresponding flat surface being in contact with the inner face of a corresponding pivoting rigid element for transmitting part of the load imposed by the structural system; and   at least one linear resilient element connected at one end to the interconnecting rigid element and configured to deform linearly in response to the application of said load.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the load transmission system comprises a first bearing and a second bearing operatively connected to the first ring and the second ring respectively, and wherein said load transmission element is inserted into said first bearing and said second bearing. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one linear resilient element is selected from the group consisting of linear springs, elastic springs, gas springs, as well as a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical system providing means for tensioning the at least one linear resilient element configured to provide an initial linear deformation to said at least one linear resilient element. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical system comprising means for anchoring the at least one linear resilient element said mechanical system being fixed to the housing at one of its ends, wherein said linear resilient element is fixed to the second end of said mechanical system. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the mechanical system is additionally configured to apply an initial linear deformation to said at least one linear resilient element 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least a third pivoting rigid element having a corresponding first end pivotally connected to a third inner point of the housing adjacent to the fourth inner point, and a corresponding second end, opposite to the first end, which is hook-shaped;   at least a fourth pivoting rigid element having a corresponding first end pivotally connected to a fourth inner point of the housing which is adjacent to the third inner point, and a corresponding third end, opposite to the first end, which is hook-shaped;   at least one second rigid connecting rod having a corresponding first end and a corresponding second end, wherein the first end of the second rigid connecting rod is connected to an intermediate point of the at least one third rigid pivoting element and wherein the second end of the third rigid connecting rod is pivotally connected to a second interconnecting rigid element   at least a fourth rigid connecting rod having a corresponding first end and a corresponding second end, wherein the first end of the fourth rigid connecting rod is connected to an intermediate point of the at least a fourth rigid pivoting element and wherein the second end of the fourth rigid connecting rod is pivotally connected to the second interconnecting rigid element   at least a second rigid interconnecting rigid element connected to the third rigid connecting rod to the fourth rigid connecting rod and to a second end of the at least one linear resilient element   a second load transmission system comprising at least a second load transmission element of cylindrical shape, a third ring and at least a fourth ring arranged annularly in relation to the second load transmission element each ring having a corresponding flat surface perpendicular to the radial direction of the second load transmission element said corresponding flat surface being in contact with the inner face of a corresponding pivoting rigid element for transmitting part of the load imposed by the structural system.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a mechanical system providing means for tensioning the at least one linear resilient element configured to provide an initial linear deformation to said at least one linear resilient element 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing the first rigid pivoting element the second rigid pivoting element the first rigid connecting rod the second rigid connecting rod the interconnecting rigid element the at least one linear resilient element and the first load transmission system are made of a material selected from the group consisting of iron, steel, stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, duraluminum, titanium, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing houses the first rigid pivoting element the second rigid pivoting element the first rigid connecting rod the second rigid connecting rod the interconnecting rigid element said at least one linear resilient element and the load transmission system 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a rigid connection element connected to the first load transmission system and the second load transmission system.