A novel transient vibration and noise reducer (TVR) for vibratory machines

Abstract

Maximum vibration and maximum noise are generated during the transient startup and shut down operational phases of machines that demonstrate harmonic motion. Such vibrations and noise are especially undesired in household products. To abate such undesired effects associated with excessive body displacements and noise, a transient vibration and noise reducer (TVR) design is proposed, and a reciprocating compressor of a refrigerator is utilized in this study as an example. Polymer mount-spring sleeves with a stepwise geometry that allows free vibration during steady-state and vibration suppression only at transient phases are 3D printed to be installed at each leg of compressor body-outer housing linkage. Finite element analysis coupled design of experiments are conducted to characterize the vibration suppression response and to optimize the critical dimensional parameters of the TVR. The best candidate design is then implemented to a compressor to be compared against the performance of a compressor without the attachment of TVRs. The experimental results reveal a 51% decrease in peak transient displacement and a decrease from average 41 dBA to 25 dBA in peak transient noise level which are testaments to the success of the prospective design addition to the vibratory machines.