SHOCK AND VIBRATION ISOLATION USING INTERNALLY ROTATING MASSES

This paper considers the use of a chain of springs and masses to reduce the transmission of shock and vibration through the system. The masses are equipped with internally rotating masses that absorb some of the axial vibration into internal kinetic energy of the masses. The internal masses have viscous damping, but no elastic or gravitational restraint. Previous research has shown that a single cart system attached to a vibrating structure can help mitigate shock through targeted energy transfer. This paper examines the potential for shock isolation provided by a chain of such systems. Through numerical simulations, tradeoffs are examined between displacement and transmitted force.