Design and experimentation on passive vibration isolation systems using PZT- PDMS composite and a shape memory alloy wire integrated mechanism

Abstract

Abstract Passive use of smart materials for vibration isolation of dynamic systems is drawing wide attention due to its flexibility, vast applicability and effectiveness in aerospace and automobile applications. In the present work, we design and investigate experimentally, the application of two vibration isolation systems based on such passive smart materials. First, a smart composite based on Lead Zirconate-Titanate (PZT) and Poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is considered as a conventional system. Further, a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wire integrated four bar linkage mechanism is chosen as a novel system for this study. In the first phase, vibration response of a single stage isolation system is obtained for a low frequency range from 10-70 Hz. The vibration isolation system comprises of neoprene rubber tubes as a spring element. Experiments are carried out with neoprene rubber blocks and piezoelectric (PZT)-PDMS composite. Finally, the piezoelectric damper is replaced by a new four bar linkage incorporating pre-stressed SMA wire in order to determine its efficiency of vibration isolation. The SMA wire undergoes pseudoelastic transformation at a temperature higher than austenite finish temperature due to loading and unloading upon induction of transverse vibrations from electro-dynamic shaker. Frequency responses and transmissibility of the proposed device are also analyzed. The experimental results project that SMA wire based passive damping system could be a very effective solution for vibration isolation. Future work will investigate the improvement of the design of SMA wire based vibration isolation system.