Tautochronic centrifugal pendulum vibration absorbers: General design and analysis

Since the 1930s, centrifugal pendulum vibration absorbers have been used in rotating and reciprocating machinery for the attenuation of torsional vibrations. A large variety of absorber types were suggested and the design was done by linearization theory until the introduction of the tautochronic bifilar pendulum absorbers. Since then, the performance and dynamic stability of this specific absorber type have been considered in analytical and numerical investigations. Different perturbations, e.g. nonlinear mistuning, were considered in order to optimize the system performance, but the characteristic bifilar design remained unchanged. In this paper, a general approach for the design of tautochronic pendulum vibration absorbers is proposed. As a result, it is possible to deal with a large variety of non-bifilar centrifugal vibration absorber designs which provide application-related optimal performance and resolve some of the existing design limitations.     

Modal properties and stability of centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber systems with equally spaced,identical absorbers

This work develops an analytical model of centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber systems with equally spaced, identical absorbers and uses it to investigate the structure of the modal vibration properties. The planar model admits two translational and one rotational degrees-of-freedom for the rotor and a single arclength degree-of-freedom for each absorber. The gyroscopic effects from rotor rotation are taken into account. Examination of the associated eigenvalue problem reveals well-defined structure of the vibration modes resulting from the cyclic symmetry of the absorbers. The vibration modes are classified into rotational, translational, and absorber modes. Characteristics of each mode type are analytically proved. The effects of the absorber tuning order on the modes are derived. The critical speeds and flutter instability of the system are studied numerically and analytically.     

Vibration control of two degrees of freedom system using variable inertia vibration absorbers: Modeling and simulation

Variable inertia vibration absorbers (VIVA) are previously used for the vibration control of single degree of freedom (dof) primary systems. The performance of such absorbers is studied in many investigations. This paper presents the dynamic modeling and simulation of a proposed modified design of such VIVA’s for the vibration control of two dof primary systems. Lagrange formulation is used to obtain its dynamic model in an analytical form. This model, which is highly nonlinear, is used to develop a computational algorithm to study the absorber performance characteristics. This algorithm is programmed and simulated in Matlab. The obtained results are numerically verified using SAMS2000 software. The effect of mass and stiffness of the proposed VIVA on its performance and tuning is discussed. An optimization algorithm is developed to select the best absorber parameters for vibration suppression of a specific primary system. The obtained results show a good agreement with those obtained using similar techniques. In addition, a linearized model of VIVA dynamics is developed, tested and simulated for the same data used in its nonlinear model. The relative deviation between results of the linear and nonlinear models is less than 1%, which confirms the realistic use of this linearized model. The experimental testing and verification of the simulation results of the proposed VIVA is the subject of another paper.     

Dynamic vibration absorbers for vibration control within a frequency band

The use of dynamic vibration absorbers to control the vibration of a structure in both narrow and broadbands is discussed in this paper. As a benchmark problem, a plate incorporating multiple vibration absorbers is formulated, leading to an analytical solution when the number of absorbers yields one. Using this analytical solution, control mechanisms of the vibration absorber in different frequency bandwidths are studied; the coupling properties due to the introduction of the absorber into the host structure are analyzed; and the control performance of the absorber in different control bandwidths is examined with respect to its damping and location. It is found that the interaction between the plate and the absorber by means of the reaction force from the absorber plays a dominant role in a narrow band control, while in a relatively broadband control the dissipation by the absorber damping governs the control performance. When control bandwidth further enlarges, the optimal locations of the absorbers are not only affected by the targeted mode, but also by the other plate modes. These locations need to be determined after establishing a trade-off between the targeted mode and other modes involved in the coupling. Finally, numerical findings are assessed based on a simply-supported plate and a fair agreement between the predicted and measured results is obtained.     

The effective damping approach to design a dynamic vibration absorber using Coriolis force

In this paper, the vibration reduction of a pendulum structure with dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) using Coriolis force is investigated. When the pendulum structure is subjected to a single harmonic excitation, the effective damping of Coriolis force is used with the second-order approximations to obtain the closed forms of optimal parameters of the DVA. The closed forms obtained show that the natural frequency of the absorber should be tuned to twice that of the pendulum. The closed forms of optimal parameters are verified by numerical optimization. The modified forms of optimal parameters are proposed to be used in case of general excitation. Base on this modified form, the design procedure is demonstrated by the numerical calculation of the free vibration and wind-induced vibration of a ropeway gondola.     

Semi-active on–off damping control of a dynamic vibration absorber using Coriolis force

A passive dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) moving along a pendulum can cause the nonlinear Coriolis damping to reduce the pendulum swing. This paper proposes a simple semi-active on–off damping controller to improve the passive Coriolis DVA. The aim of the on–off damping control is to amplify the DVA resonance motion to increase the energy dissipated. Moreover, the paper finds the analytical solution of the harmonic vibration of semi-active controlled system. The accuracy of the analytical formulas and the superior performance of the semi-active DVA are verified by numerical simulations.     

Non-linear vibrations of a harmonically excited autoparametric system

Harmonic forced vibration of a spring-mass-damper system with a parametrically excited pendulum hinged to the mass is investigated. Two types of restoring forces on the pendulum are considered. The method of harmonic balance is used to evaluate the system response. The results are also verified by numerical integration. Non-periodic system responses are possible if the excitation parameter is large. The performance of the pendulum as an absorber is also studied.     

Active vibration control in Duffing mechanical systems using dynamic vibration absorbers

This paper deals with the multi-frequency harmonic vibration suppression problem in forced Duffing mechanical systems using passive and active linear mass–spring–damper dynamic vibration absorbers. An active vibration absorption scheme is proposed to extend the vibrating energy dissipation capability of a passive dynamic vibration absorber for multiple excitation frequencies and, simultaneously, to perform reference position trajectory tracking tasks planned for the nonlinear primary system. A differential flatness-based disturbance estimation scheme is also described to estimate the unknown multiple time-varying frequency disturbance signal affecting the differentially flat nonlinear vibrating mechanical system dynamics. Some numerical simulation results are provided to show the efficient performance of the proposed active vibration absorption scheme and the fast estimation of the vibration disturbance signal.     

Dynamic analysis and optimal design of a passive and an active piezo-electrical dynamic vibration absorber

This paper is concerned with the dynamic analysis and parameter optimization of both passive and active piezo-electrical dynamic vibration absorbers that are strongly coupled with a single degree of freedom vibrating structure. The passive absorber is implemented by using an R_s∥L_s parallel shunt circuit while the active absorber is implemented by feeding back the acceleration of the structure through a second-order lowpass filter. An impedance-mobility approach is used for the electromechanical coupling analysis of both types of absorbers coupled with the structure. Using this approach it is demonstrated that the passive and active absorbers can be made exactly equivalent. A maximally flat frequency response strategy is used to find the optimal damping ratio of the passive absorber while a robust, optimal control theory is used to find that for the active absorber. It is found that the passive optimization strategy corresponds to an optimal, robust feedback control of 2 dB spillover. Simulations and experiments are conducted to support the theoretical findings.     

Active control effort of hybrid piezoelectric absorber for structural control

This paper aims at addressing the active control effort of the active-shunted hybrid piezoelectric absorber for structural vibration suppression. Both active control efforts of the integrated and separated hybrid piezoelectric absorbers are analyzed by using a simple cantilevered beam example. It is recognized that a new hybrid piezoelectric absorber based on a switching operation is capable of reducing the active control effort. A switching type of the hybrid piezoelectric absorber can be developed by the simple combination of integrated and separated hybrid piezoelectric absorbers. It is demonstrated that the switching type of the absorber has the capability of the trade-off between the active control effort and the damping performance.     

Optimum vibration absorber (tuned mass damper) design for linear damped systems subjected to random loads

Optimum design of dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs) installed on linear damped systems that are subjected to random loads is studied and closed-form design formulas are provided. Three cases are considered in the optimization process: Minimizing the variance of the displacement, velocity and acceleration of the main mass. Exact optimum design parameters for the velocity case, which to the best knowledge of the author do not exist in the literature, are derived for the first time. Exact solutions are found to be directly applicable for practical use with no simplification needed. For displacement and acceleration cases, a solution for the optimum absorber frequency ratio is obtained as a function of optimum absorber damping ratio. Numerical simulations indicate that optimum absorber damping ratio is not significantly related to the structural damping, especially when the displacement variance is minimized. Therefore, optimum damping ratio derived for undamped systems is proposed for damped systems for the displacement case. When acceleration variance is minimized, however, the optimum damping ratio derived for undamped systems is found not as accurate for damped systems. Therefore, a more accurate approximate expression is derived. Numerical comparisons with published approximate expressions at the same level of complexity indicated that proposed design formula yield more accurate estimates. Another important finding of the paper is that for specific applications where all of the response parameters are desired to be minimized simultaneously, DVAs designed per velocity criteria provide the best overall performance with the least complexity in the design equations.     

Impedance approach to designing efficient vibration energy absorbers

The concept introduced previously by the authors on the best sound absorber having the maximum allowable efficiency in absorbing the energy of an incident sound field has been extended to arbitrary linear elastic media and structures. Analytic relations have been found for the input impedance characteristics that the best vibrational energy absorber should have. The implementation of these relations is the basis of the proposed impedance method of designing efficient vibration and noise absorbers. We present the results of a laboratory experiment that confirms the validity of the obtained theoretical relations, and we construct the simplest best vibration absorber. We also calculate the parameters and demonstrate the efficiency of a dynamic vibration absorber as the best absorber.     

Optimal active absorber with internal state feedback for controlling resonant and transient vibration

An active, standalone vibration absorber utilizing the state feedback taken from the absorber mass is proposed. Expressions of the optimum absorber parameters are obtained both by optimizing the Η_∞ norm of the frequency response function. For improved transient response featuring low peak response and fast attenuation, the design procedure utilizes the mode equalization followed by the maximization of the damping. An interesting feature of the proposed absorber is that the performance of the absorber does not require having its natural frequency close to the natural frequency of the primary system as is generally the case for tuned passive absorbers or other active and semi-active tuned vibration absorbers. In fact, the performance of the proposed system can be progressively enhanced by increasing the absorber frequency. Compared to the optimum passive absorber, the optimal active absorber can yield wider bandwidth of operation around the natural frequency of the primary system and lower frequency response within the suppression band. The active absorber also offers better transient response compared to the passive absorber both optimized for the best transient responses. The efficacy of the absorber is analyzed both for a single-degree-of-freedom and beam like primary structure.     

On the railway track dynamics with rail vibration absorber for noise reduction

A promising means to increase the decay rate of vibration along the rail is using a rail absorber for noise reduction. Compound track models with the tuned rail absorber are developed for investigation of the performance of the absorber on vibration reduction. Through analysis of the track dynamics with the rail absorber some guidelines are given on selection of the types and parameters for the rail absorber. It is found that a large active mass used in the absorber is beneficial to increase the decay rate of rail vibration. The effectiveness of the piecewise continuous absorber is moderate compared with the discrete absorber installed in the middle of sleeper span or at a sleeper. The most effective installation position for the discrete absorber is in the middle of sleeper span. Over high or over low loss factor of the damping material used in the absorber may degrade the performance on vibration reduction.     

ADAPTIVE-PASSIVE ABSORBERS USING SHAPE-MEMORY ALLOYS

The adaptive-passive vibration absorber shows promise for combining the stability and low complexity of passive tuned absorbers with the robust performance of active vibration control schemes. Previous adaptive tuned vibration absorbers (ATVA) had been complex and bulky. Shape memory alloys (SMA), with their variable material properties, offer an alternative adaptive mechanism. Heating an SMA causes a change in the elastic modulus of the material. An ATVA using spring elements composed of three pairs of SMA wires and one pair of steel wires was constructed and tested. On-off actuation of the SMA elements created an ATVA with four discrete tuned frequencies. Characterization testing of the absorber showed variation of the natural frequency of the ATVA of approximately 15%. The ATVA was applied to a primary system and the frequency response of the system at various states of ATVA actuation was determined. Manual tuning of the ATVA actuation during a stepped-sine base excitation of the primary system showed a wider notch of attenuation than was possible with a non-adaptive absorber. Results of the tests indicate that an adaptive absorber incorporating SMA as a tuning element has potential as a simple, high-performance adaptive-passive technique for vibration control.     

Application of dynamic vibration absorbers in floating raft system

To improve the isolation performance of the traditional floating raft system, dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) is introduced into floating raft in this research. The mathematical models of floating raft system consisting of beams are implemented by assembling the mobility matrices of the subsystems. Then the power flow transmission characteristics of the coupled system with/without the DVAs are investigated to evaluate the vibration reduction performance of DVAs. Numerical simulations are performed to explore the influence of several parameters, such as the setting positions, damping and mass of the passive DVAs, on the vibration reduction effects of DVAs. Moreover the vibration reduction performance of the semi-active absorber adjusting its stiffness adaptively is analyzed for the case of time-varying frequency excitation. In addition, the vibration reduction effects of semi-active DVAs under multi-frequency excitation are investigated. The results show that DVAs can significantly improve the isolation performance of floating raft system.     

Design optimization of a damped hybrid vibration absorber

In this article, the H_∞ optimization design of a hybrid vibration absorber (HVA), including both passive and active elements, for the minimization of the resonant vibration amplitude of a single degree-of-freedom (sdof) vibrating structure is derived by using the fixed-points theory. The optimum tuning parameters are the feedback gain, the tuning frequency, damping and mass ratios of the absorber. The effects of these parameters on the vibration reduction of the primary structure are revealed based on the analytical model. Design parameters of both passive and active elements of the HVA are optimized for the minimization of the resonant vibration amplitude of the primary system. One of the inherent limitations of the traditional passive vibration absorber is that its vibration absorption is low if the mass ratio between the absorber mass and the mass of the primary structure is low. The proposed HVA overcomes this limitation and provides very good vibration reduction performance even at a low mass ratio. The proposed optimized HVA is compared to a recently published HVA designed for similar propose and it shows that the present design requires less energy for the active element of the HVA than the compared design.     

Effect of a honeycomb on the sound absorption characteristics of panel-type absorbers

Panel-type sound absorbers are commonly used to absorb low-frequency sounds. Recently, a new type of panel/membrane absorbers has been proposed as a next-generation sound absorber free from environmental problems. On the other hand, it is known that placing a honeycomb structure behind a porous layer can improve sound absorption performance and a similar effect can be obtained for microperforated-panel absorbers. Herein, the sound absorption characteristics of a panel sound absorber with a honeycomb in its back cavity are theoretically analyzed. The numerical results are used to discuss the variations in the sound absorption characteristics due to the honeycomb as well as the mechanism for sound absorption.     

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS AS A METHOD OF ABSORBER TUNING FOR REDUCTION OF STEADY STATE RESPONSE OF LINEAR PARAMETRIC SYSTEMS

The aim of this paper is to determine whether one dynamic absorber can reduce the amplitude of the steady state vibration of a parametric system for natural and parametric resonance frequencies simultaneously. The efficiency of both the conventional dynamic absorber and the parametric absorber is analyzed. The first order sensitivity analysis of parametric periodic systems in the time domain is applied to obtain logarithmic sensitivity functions in the frequency domain. The first order sensitivity logarithmic functions are used to tune the conventional absorber and the parametric absorber.     

Suppression of random vibration in flexible structures using a hybrid vibration absorber

A design method is proposed to suppress stationary random vibration in flexible structures using a hybrid vibration absorber (HVA). While the traditional vibration absorber can damp down the vibration mainly at the pre-tuned mode of the primary structure, active damping is generated by the proposed HVA to damp down all resonant modes of interest of the vibrating structure and the spatial average mean square motion of the vibrating structure can be minimized. Only one absorber and one feedback signal are required to achieve global vibration suppression of a flexible structure under stationary random excitation. A special pole-placement controller is designed such that all vibration modes of the flexible structures become critically damped. It is proved analytically that the proposed HVA damps the vibration of the entire structure instead of just the attachment point of the absorber. The proposed optimized HVA is tested on a beam structure and it shows a superior performance on global suppression of broadband vibration in comparison to other published designs of passive and hybrid vibration absorbers.