Design of a non-linear vibration absorber

Abstract

Linear vibration absorbers can only capture certain discrete frequencies. Therefore the useof nonlinear vibration absorbers which can capture a whole range of frequencies is investigated asan alternative. Such a nonlinear vibration absorber has some special characteristics. For examplethere is a certain frequency-energy dependence. To investigate nonlinear dynamical systems thereis a need for new methods. The harmonic balance method is such a method and is discussed. Theidea is to substitute a Fourier series expansion of the solution variables into the system equations and’balance’ them. Furthermore two realisations of a nonlinear energy sink as an example of a nonlinearvibration absorber are discussed. One based on the restoring force in a wire, the other one by forcinga linear spring to follow a certain path. As will be discussed, an analog principle can be used for therealisation of a Duffing type of nonlinear absorber.