Design of compliant mechanisms for attenuation of unidirectional vibrations in rotational systems

The purpose of this research was to generate the knowledge required to design compliant mechanisms that (1) attenuate undesired small-motion angular vibrations in rotational power transmission systems and (2) preserve the desired transmission of large-motion torque/angle inputs. This thesis investigates the design of vibration attenuating compliant mechanisms that are directly integrated into the load path of rotational systems. These devices enable designers to attenuate the amplitude of undesirable vibrations while simultaneously optimizing the transmission of torque inputs. The design, modeling, fabrication and experimental validation of two Compliant Vibration Attenuator (CVA) concepts will be presented. The first device, the Small Amplitude Vibration Isolator (SAVI), is a non-linear compliant device that isolates a resonating or non-resonating rotational system from vibrations by acting as a mechanical lowpass filter. The second device, the Damping Vibration Link (DVL) utilizes compliance and damping to attenuate undesired vibrations due to resonance. A linear lumped parameter model was created in Matlab® to simulate the static and dynamic characteristics of rotational power transmission systems. This model enables one to determine the dynamic characteristics of a system for a given set of inputs, thereby making it possible to (1) understand the requirements for the CVA and (2) ascertain the effect of the CVA on the system. Finite-element simulations were conducted to verify an empirical, parametric model that describes the performance of a SAVI as a function of its stiffness parameters.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Szczesny, Spencer E., 1981-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Martin L. Culpepper.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/27880

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/27880