Latching control: A wave energy converter inspired vibration control strategy

Latching control is a phase optimization control mechanism for improving the energy conversion efficiency of a wave energy converter (WEC). This paper, for the first time, extends the latching mechanism to vibration control to improve energy dissipation efficiency. An innovative semi -active latched mass damper (LMD) is proposed in this paper by integrating conventional tuned mass dampers (TMD) and the latching mechanism. First, the theoretical models of WEC and TMD are compared. Second, the mathematical model of an LMD installed on a single-degree-of -freedom structure is established, and three latching control strategies with different latching time instants, latching durations, unlatching time instants, and required information feedback are tested. Subsequently, the performance of the LMD is evaluated through the comparison with the detuned and optimally tuned TMDs. The characteristics of the latching control force are analyzed in terms of phase, component, energy dissipation, and damping enhancement effect. Lastly, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed LMD with three different latching strategies are proven. The latching control can reduce the stiffness component and increase the damping component of the control force, thereby optimizing the phase lag between the control force and the structural response. The proposed latching mechanism and strategies for vibration control can provide an innovative solution to improve the effectiveness of high-frequency detuned dampers, facilitate the design of long-period dampers, and develop adaptive semi-active dampers in the future.