StruFlex devices apart from being able to bear permanent loads, they can be configured in many ways depending on the application. Examples of applications and corresponding [configurations], are summarized below:
- Lifting and measuring heavy loads [StruFlex hydraulic pot bearing + a hydraulic pump] photo
- Adjusting setting [StruFlex hydraulic pot bearing + a hydraulic pump] photo
- Applying post stressing [StruFlex hydraulic pot bearing + a hydraulic pump] photo
- Bearing spring [StruFlex hydraulic pot bearing + hydraulic accumulator] photo
- preloaded spring
- Bearing damper [StruFlex hydraulic pot bearing + hydraulic accumulator] photo
- Tuned spring constant k and damping coefficient c (manually adjustable)
- Real-time adjustable c (semi-active)
- Bearing damper [StruFlex hydraulic pot bearing + StruFlex hydraulic energy converting module] photo
- Real-time adjustable k (active)
- Bearing damper + dissipated oscillation energy is converted into electrical energy [StruFlex hydraulic pot bearing + StruFlex hydraulic energy converting module] photo
- Tuned k and c (manually adjustable)
- Real-time adjustable c (semi-active)
- Real-time adjustable k (active)
- Real-time adjustable inertia I (e.g. in marine structures and vessels) – patent pending application
StruFlex devices are very advantageous and very innovative enabling many new applications, for example:
- StruFlex hydraulic pot bearings enable the use of new stability methods for structures e.g. ”rocking wall systems”
- StruFlex bearing dampers are very sensitive even to tiny movements, and therefore they can very efficiently damp vibrations of stiff structures as opposed to conventional dampers which are not sensitive when movements are small and hence they are not efficient in damping vibrations of stiff structures
- StruFlex devices enable conversion of oscillation energy into electrical power
- In buildings, overall cost of StruFlex bearing damping systems is lower because fewer devices are required, while StruFlex bearing dampers do not obstruct the view and do not occupy top prime space
- StruFlex bearing dampers can interrupt the continuity of a structure converting part or the whole structure to a ‘’mass damper’’, this enables high damping efficiency as the ‘’damper mass’’ is very large