Systems and methods for damping building oscillations

Abstract

A fluid transport system for actively damping oscillations of a structure affixed to a ground surface is disclosed. The system includes a pipe defining a flow path, a driver in fluid communication with the pipe and configured to provide a fluid flow through the pipe, and a controller. The controller is programmed to send a fluid flow command signal in response to an event signal indicating an oscillation event.

1 . A fluid transport system for actively damping oscillations of a structure affixed to a ground surface, comprising:
 a pipe defining a flow path;   a driver in fluid communication with the pipe and configured to provide a fluid flow through the pipe; and   a controller programmed to send a fluid flow command signal in response to an event signal indicating an oscillation event.   
     
     
         2 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor operatively coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a module, wherein the sensor is configured to provide a sensor signal to the module. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the module provides the event signal to the controller when the sensor signal exceeds a threshold level. 
     
     
         24 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first tank in fluid communication with the driver. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the first tank is in fluid communication with the pipe. 
     
     
         57 - 62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the first tank is coupled to the structure. 
     
     
         64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising a second tank in fluid communication with the driver. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the second tank is in fluid communication with the pipe. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the first tank is in fluid communication with the second tank via the pipe. 
     
     
         68 - 81 . (canceled) 
     
     
         82 . An active damping system for a structure affixed to a ground surface, comprising:
 a driver;   a fluid outlet configured to be coupled along an outer surface of the structure in an elevated location relative to the ground surface;   a connection pipe coupled to the driver and the fluid outlet and defining a flow path; and   a controller programmed to send a fluid flow command signal in response to an event signal indicating an oscillation event.   
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the controller is configured to control the driver using the fluid flow command signal. 
     
     
         84 - 85 . (canceled) 
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising a valve positioned within the flow path. 
     
     
         87 - 93 . (canceled) 
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising a second fluid outlet, the second fluid outlet configured to be coupled along the outer surface of the structure. 
     
     
         95 - 108 . (canceled) 
     
     
         109 . The system of  claim 94 , further comprising a second connection pipe coupled to the driver and the second fluid outlet, the second connection pipe defining a second flow path. 
     
     
         110 . The system of  claim 109 , further comprising a valve, wherein the controller is programmed to selectively actuate the valve between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         111 - 113 . (canceled) 
     
     
         114 . The system of  claim 110 , further comprising a pressurized container configured to store a pressurized fluid. 
     
     
         115 . (canceled) 
     
     
         116 . The system of  claim 114 , wherein the valve directs a fluid flow from the pressurized container to the first fluid outlet when in the first position. 
     
     
         117 . The system of  claim 114 , wherein the valve directs a fluid flow from the pressurized container to the second fluid outlet when in the second position. 
     
     
         118 . The system of  claim 109 , further comprising a first valve coupled along the first flow path and a second valve coupled along the second flow path. 
     
     
         119 . The system of  claim 118 , wherein the fluid flow command signal is configured to selectively actuate the first valve and the second valve between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         120 - 195 . (canceled) 
     
     
         196 . A structure affixed to a ground surface, comprising:
 a structural frame;   a pipe coupled to the structural frame, the pipe defining a flow path;   a driver in fluid communication with the pipe and configured to provide a fluid flow through the pipe; and   a controller programmed to send a fluid flow command signal in response to an event signal indicating an oscillation event.   
     
     
         197 - 221 . (canceled) 
     
     
         222 . The structure of  claim 196 , further comprising a fluid outlet coupled along an outer surface of the structure in an elevated location relative to the ground surface, wherein the pipe extends between the driver and the fluid outlet and defines a flow path. 
     
     
         223 . The structure of  claim 222 , further comprising a second fluid outlet coupled along the outer surface of the structure. 
     
     
         224 . The structure of  claim 223 , wherein the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet are positioned at different vertical locations of the structure. 
     
     
         225 - 230 . (canceled) 
     
     
         231 . The structure of  claim 223 , wherein the first fluid outlet defines a first fluid flow direction and the second fluid outlet defines a second fluid flow direction. 
     
     
         232 . (canceled) 
     
     
         233 . The structure of  claim 231 , wherein the first fluid flow direction opposes the second fluid flow direction. 
     
     
         234 - 262 . (canceled) 
     
     
         263 . The structure of  claim 196 , further comprising a first tank in fluid communication with the driver. 
     
     
         264 - 270 . (canceled) 
     
     
         271 . The structure of  claim 263 , wherein the first tank is coupled to the structural frame. 
     
     
         272 - 273 . (canceled) 
     
     
         274 . The structure of  claim 271 , further comprising a second tank in fluid communication with the driver. 
     
     
         275 - 276 . (canceled) 
     
     
         277 . The structure of  claim 274 , wherein the first tank is positioned at a first vertical location of the structure and the second tank is positioned at a second vertical location of the structure. 
     
     
         278 . The structure of  claim 274 , wherein the second tank is offset from a centerline of the structure. 
     
     
         279 . The structure of  claim 278 , wherein the first tank is positioned on a first side of the structure and the second tank is positioned on a second side of the structure. 
     
     
         280 - 291 . (canceled) 
     
     
         292 . The structure of  claim 196 , wherein the pipe comprises a damping pipe. 
     
     
         293 . The structure of  claim 292 , wherein the damping pipe includes a linear section positioned along a first axis of the structure. 
     
     
         294 - 422 . (canceled)