Damper/Dampener
Damper/Dampener
(OP)
In my Webster's dictionary, which is unfortuantely not the largest and most complete version available, I can find no specific entries for "dampener" or "dampening", although "damper" and "damping" are both listed. However, one of the meanings given for "dampen" is "to deaden, reduce or lessen", and a similar meaning given for "damp" is "to check or reduce". The verb form of both words can also mean "to moisten".
When I lived in the UK, I don't believe I ever encountered the use of the words "dampener" and "dampening" for "damper" and "damping" in the vibration attenuating sense, so it seems to be an Americanism, but I could be wrong. I have come across it in recent research papers as well as common engineering parlance, although not in textbooks. Any opinions ?
When I lived in the UK, I don't believe I ever encountered the use of the words "dampener" and "dampening" for "damper" and "damping" in the vibration attenuating sense, so it seems to be an Americanism, but I could be wrong. I have come across it in recent research papers as well as common engineering parlance, although not in textbooks. Any opinions ?





RE: Damper/Dampener
What existing noun best described a piece of equipment whose purpose in life is "to dampen?" What word best the describes the functioning of that piece of equipment?
RE: Damper/Dampener
RE: Damper/Dampener
There is also the misnomer "shock absorber".
Dampers are also used in combustion gas flues and HVAC ducts. I have never heard "dampener" used in that context.
RE: Damper/Dampener
That being said, I see no valid reason for orientated either.
RE: Damper/Dampener
RE: Damper/Dampener
Yes on another thread and although orintated gives me goose bumps dampen/dampening sound just great to me but I can also easily live with damp/damping. Did I hear a snicker?
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard
RE: Damper/Dampener
Dampening has a definite USAn ring to my ear.
Incidentally shock absorber is a terrible name. When you apply an impact to a typical isolation system a shock absorber TRANSMITS the shock to the isolated body. Damper is a much better descriptor, technically.
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Damper/Dampener
Best regards,
Matthew Ian Loew
"Luck is the residue of design."
Branch Rickey
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Damper/Dampener
RE: Damper/Dampener
Main Entry: damp·en
Pronunciation: 'dam-p&n
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): damp·ened; damp·en·ing /'damp-ni[ng], 'dam-p&-/
transitive senses
1 : to check or diminish the activity or vigor of : DEADEN <the heat dampened our spirits>
2 : to make damp <the shower barely dampened the ground>
3 : DAMP 1c
intransitive senses
1 : to become damp
2 : to become deadened or depressed
- damp·en·er /-n&r/ noun
TTFN
RE: Damper/Dampener
RE: Damper/Dampener
http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/search/web/%2522dampening%2Bfactor%2522
http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/search/web/%2522damping%2Bfactor%2522
Clearly, the engineering community on the world uses damping in the preferred usage.
TTFN
RE: Damper/Dampener
Although I've always used the terms "damped" and "dampen" when referring to vibrations, somewhere along the line I began using "damper" and "dampener" interchangeably.
Thanks to MLoew and others for pointing out this incorrect or nonstandard usage.