Damper device using smart materials with self-restoring and self-healing capabilities

Self-restoring seismic damper device using shape memory alloy and self-healing polyurethane

This technology is a smart material damper device that connects first and second moving units, which reciprocate along a guide unit, using a shape memory alloy deformation unit. Polyurethane elastic bodies, which are compressed when the operating unit pushes or pulls the moving units, are placed on both sides to ensure the deformation unit is tensioned under both tensile and compressive loads.

Conventional friction dampers have fixed friction forces and relative displacement distances, making them unable to meet the varying energy absorption or displacement requirements of different installation locations. Furthermore, they remain in a deformed state after absorbing external forces, leading to significant replacement and maintenance costs following an earthquake.

In this technology, the superelastic shape memory alloy automatically restores its original shape after tensile deformation, while the self-healing thermoplastic polyurethane elastic body handles cushioning and shock absorption, maintaining performance even under repeated loading. Energy absorption can be adjusted via fixing pin friction. This device can be applied to seismic reinforcement and vibration control systems for buildings and bridges, providing structural safety that restores seismic performance without the need for replacement even after major earthquakes.

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Key Features:

• First and second moving units that are slide-coupled to a guide unit arranged along a load-acting line and reciprocate parallel to the load-acting line
• A deformation unit made of shape memory alloy that connects the two moving units and is tensioned and then recovers when the moving units move away from each other
• First and second elastic bodies made of polyurethane that are compressively deformed when the operating unit pushes the first moving unit and pulls the second moving unit, respectively
• First and second fixed walls and a fixed rod that are coupled orthogonally to the guide wall and interpose the elastic bodies between themselves and the outer walls of the moving units

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This invention was developed through the Ministry of Science and ICT's support for the development of core technology for new damping devices using intelligent materials, as well as structural testing and analysis for seismic performance evaluation.

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