Isolators and Absorbers

9.10 Vibration Isolation

• Insert isolator between vibrating mass and

vibration source to reduce response

• Passive isolators: springs, cork, felt etc.

• E.g. Mounting of high-speed punch press

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Isolators and Absorbers
9.10 Vibration Isolation
• Active isolator comprised of servomechanism with sensor, signal processor
and actuator.

• Effectiveness given in terms of transmissibility Tr which is the ratio of

amplitude of the transmitted force to that of the exciting force

• 2 types of isolation situations:

– Protect base of vibrating machine against large unbalanced or impulsive forces
– Protect system against motion of its foundation

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Isolators and Absorbers
9.10 Vibration Isolation
• Protect base of vibrating machine against large unbalanced or impulsive
forces
Fi (t ) = kx(t ) + cx (t )

• Protect system against motion of its foundation

Fi (t ) = mx(t ) = k [x(t ) − y (t )] + c[x (t ) − y (t )]

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Isolators and Absorbers
9.10.1 Vibration isolation system with rigid foundation
• Resilient member placed between vibrating machine and rigid foundation

• Member is modeled as a spring k and a dashpot c as shown:

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Isolators and Absorbers
9.10.1 Vibration isolation system with rigid foundation
Reduction of Force transmitted to foundation:
• Equation of motion: mx + cx + kx = F0 cos ωt

• Steady state solution: x(t ) = X cos(ωt − φ )

where F  ωc 
X= 0
and φ = tan −1  2 
(k − mω )
2 2
+ ω 2c 2  k − mω 

• Force Ft transmitted to the foundation:

Ft (t ) = kx(t ) + cx (t ) = kX cos(ωt − φ ) − cωX sin (ωt − φ )

• Magnitude of total transmitted force FT:

F0 k 2 + ω 2 c 2
FT = (kx ) + (cx )
2 2
= X k 2 + ω 2c 2 =
(k − mω ) 2 2
+ ω 2c 2
Isolators and Absorbers
9.10.1 Vibration isolation system with rigid foundation
• Transmissibility

FT k 2 + ω 2c 2
T= =
( k − mω )
f
2 2
F0 + ω 2c 2

1 + ( 2ζ r )
2
ω
= where r
(1 − r ) + ( 2ζ r ) ωn
2 2 2

• Following graphs shows the variation of Tf with r.

Isolators and Absorbers
9.10.1 Vibration isolation system with rigid foundation
• Transmissibility

FT k 2 + ω 2c 2
T= =
( k − mω )
f
2 2
F0 + ω 2c 2

REMEMBER 1 + ( 2ζ r ) 2
ω
= where r
(1 − r ) + ( 2ζ r ) 2 2 2
ωn

• Following graphs shows the variation of Tf with r.

Isolators and Absorbers
9.10.1 Vibration isolation system with rigid foundation

1 + ( 2ζ r )
2

Tf =
(1 − r ) + ( 2ζ r )
2 2 2

1
Tf for r > 2 and small ζ
r −1
2
Isolators and Absorbers
9.10.1 Vibration isolation system with rigid foundation
• Displacement transmissibility

» As we previously studied
X 1
T= =
(1 − r ) + ( 2ζ r )
d
Y 2 2 2
Isolators and Absorbers
Example 9.4
• An exhaust fan, rotating at 1000rpm, is to be supported by 4 springs, each
having a stiffness of K. If only 10% of the unbalanced force of the fan is to
be transmitted to the base, what should the value of K? Assume the mass of
the exhaust fan to be 40kg.

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Isolators and Absorbers
Example 9.4
2
 ω
• Transmissibility = 0.1 1 +  2ζ 
 ωn 
0.1 =
2 2
  ω    ω 
2

− 
    
1  +  2 ζ 
  ωn    ωn 

1000 × 2π
• Forcing frequency ω= = 104.72 rad/s
60
• Natural frequency k 4K K
ωn = = =
m 40 3.1623
• Assuming ζ=0, 0.1 =
±1
  104.72 × 3.1623  2 
1 −   
  K  

• To avoid imaginary values,

331.1561
= 3.3166 or K = 9969.6365 N/m
K
Isolators and Absorbers
9.10.2 Isolation of source of vib. from surroundings
• Design Charts for Isolation

2πN
– By defining
k g
ωn = = and ω = ,
m δ st 60

– Therefore:
ω 2π N δ st 2−R
r= = = where R = 1 − T f
ωn 60 g 1− R

30 g  2 − R  2−R
N =   29.9092
π δ st  1 − R  δ st (1 − R )
Isolators and Absorbers
Example 9.6
• A stereo turntable, of mass 1kg, generates an excitation force at a
frequency of 3Hz. If it is supported on a base through a rubber mount,
determine the stiffness of the rubber mount to reduce the vibration
transmitted to the base by 80%.

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Isolators and Absorbers
9.10.2 Isolation of source of vibration from surroundings
Isolators and Absorbers
Example 9.4
• An exhaust fan, rotating at 1000rpm, is to be supported by 4 springs, each
having a stiffness of K. If only 10% of the unbalanced force of the fan is to
be transmitted to the base, what should the value of K? Assume the mass of
the exhaust fan to be 40kg.

• Lets solve again using charts:

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