The Effect of Error Sensor Location and Type on the Active Control of Beam Vibration

Abstract

The effectiveness of using vibration amplitude as the cost function for an active control system designed to minimize harmonic flexural vibratory power transmission in a beam of infinite length is examined theoretically. Clearly, the best cost function to use is the vibratory power itself, but this is much more difficult to measure accurately, and indeed, it is shown here that it is often only necessary to measure vibration amplitude to achieve satisfactory control of vibratory power transmission. Vibratory power transmission from both primary and control sources under controlled conditions is also calculated, and the results are used to illustrate the physical mechanisms involved.