Numerical and experimental analysis of a vibration isolator equipped with a negative stiffness system

Abstract This paper presents a Negative Stiffness System (NSS) based on a set of two double–acting pneumatic linear actuators (PLA). The NSS is added to a system with a single degree of freedom, which consists of a sprung mass and a pneumatic spring. One end of each PLA is jointed to the sprung mass while the other end is jointed to the vibrating frame. In addition, the PLAs are symmetrically arranged so that they remain horizontal while the sprung mass is in static conditions. When the rear chamber is pressurised, the vertical component of the force applied by the PLAs will work against the pneumatic spring reducing the dynamic resonance frequency of the overall system. Experimental tests and simulations showed improvements regarding sprung mass isolation in comparison to the passive system without NSS, decreasing the resonance frequency by up to 58 % and improving the vibration attenuation for different experimental excitations.

[1]  Michael J. Brennan,et al.  Static analysis of a passive vibration isolator with quasi-zero-stiffness characteristic , 2007 .

[2]  V. Spitas,et al.  Hyper-damping properties of a stiff and stable linear oscillator with a negative stiffness element , 2015 .

[3]  C. Seepersad,et al.  Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Buckled Beams as Negative Stiffness Elements for Passive Vibration and Shock Isolation Systems , 2014 .

[4]  Shen Dong,et al.  An Ultra-Low Frequency Parallel Connection Nonlinear Isolator for Precision Instruments , 2004 .

[5]  M. Takasaki,et al.  Vibration Isolation System Using Negative Stiffness , 2003 .

[6]  A. L. Morales,et al.  Dynamic behaviour of pneumatic linear actuators , 2017 .

[7]  Kyoung Kwan Ahn,et al.  A vibration isolation system in low frequency excitation region using negative stiffness structure for vehicle seat , 2011 .

[8]  Raouf A. Ibrahim,et al.  Recent advances in nonlinear passive vibration isolators , 2008 .

[9]  Takeshi Mizuno,et al.  Pneumatic Zero-Compliance Mechanism Using Negative Stiffness , 2005 .

[10]  P. M. Alabuzhev,et al.  Vibration protecting and measuring systems with quasi-zero stiffness , 1989 .

[11]  Zhiyi Zhang,et al.  Shock isolation performance of a nonlinear isolator using Euler buckled beam as negative stiffness corrector: Theoretical and experimental study , 2015 .

[12]  M. Collet,et al.  Enhancement of wave damping within metamaterials having embedded negative stiffness inclusions , 2015 .

[13]  David L. Platus,et al.  Negative-stiffness-mechanism vibration isolation systems , 1999, Optics + Photonics.

[14]  Huajiang Ouyang,et al.  A novel quasi-zero-stiffness strut and its applications in six-degree-of-freedom vibration isolation platform , 2017 .

[15]  Xiuchang Huang,et al.  On the characteristics of a quasi-zero stiffness isolator using Euler buckled beam as negative stiffness corrector , 2013 .

[16]  Daolin Xu,et al.  Theoretical and experimental analyses of a nonlinear magnetic vibration isolator with quasi-zero-stiffness characteristic , 2013 .

[17]  R. Lakes,et al.  Advanced damper with negative structural stiffness elements , 2012 .

[18]  Fabrizio Scarpa,et al.  SILICOMB PEEK Kirigami cellular structures: mechanical response and energy dissipation through zero and negative stiffness , 2013 .

[19]  Kefu Liu,et al.  A tunable high-static–low-dynamic stiffness vibration isolator , 2010 .

[20]  E. Rivin.  Passive Vibration Isolation , 2003 .

[21]  Michael J. Brennan,et al.  On the design of a high-static-low-dynamic stiffness isolator using linear mechanical springs and magnets , 2008 .

[22]  Ivana Kovacic,et al.  On the force transmissibility of a vibration isolator with quasi-zero stiffness , 2009 .

[23]  Kyoung Kwan Ahn,et al.  Active pneumatic vibration isolation system using negative stiffness structures for a vehicle seat , 2014 .

[24]  C. Seepersad,et al.  Design, fabrication, and evaluation of negative stiffness elements using SLS , 2012 .

[25]  Yuji Ishino,et al.  A six-axis hybrid vibration isolation system using active zero-power control supported by passive weight support mechanism , 2010 .

[26]  Kyoung Kwan Ahn,et al.  Experimental investigation of a vibration isolation system using negative stiffness structure , 2011, 2011 11th International Conference on Control, Automation and Systems.

[27]  Ioannis Antoniadis,et al.  Enhanced acoustic insulation properties of composite metamaterials having embedded negative stiffness inclusions , 2017 .