Micro vibrometry measurements of a subordinate oscillator array

Recent research has shown that arrays of small dynamic elements attached to a larger, primary structure can be tuned to significantly alter the time and frequency response of the system. Often referred to as "fuzzy structures," systems have applications including damping, radio frequency filtering, energy harvesting and micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) chemical vapor sensing. A passive machinery damping system has been designed and tested for its silencing properties. The system consists of an array of cantilevers that have a range of isolated natural frequencies that correspond to a desired frequency suppression band. When the subordinate oscillator array (SOA) is mounted to a vibration source, it functions as a meta-material that traps and dissipates energy. The system is designed such that the frequency band of the cantilevers contains the machinery peak amplitude frequencies. Experimental results show that the frequency band associated with the second mode of a cantilever was suppressed by 4 to ...