Design, testing and modelling of adaptive mechatronic vibration suppression systems

The performance advantages of using inerter-based network configurations have been identified in a wide range of mechanical structures, such as automotive, railway vehicles and multistory buildings. Mechanical realisations of impedance functions have limitations such as weight and space. To this end, mechatronic devices have much more freedom. Furthermore, the improvement of system performance can be increased by higher-order passive impedance, which can be more conveniently realised using electrical circuits. Also, compared with pure mechanical structures, it is much more convenient to switch between different electrical circuits, and to adjust element values. Hence adaptive vibration suppression properties can be achieved with mechatronic devices. In this project, prototypes of inerter-based mechatronic strut will be designed, assembled and tested. The performance benefits of the mechatronics strut will be studied. Following that, comparison of theoretical and experimental behaviours will be carried out. Effects of system nonlinearities and generator inertial & coil resistance will be investigated. Performance advantages of such devices will be demonstrated for multiple mechanical structures.