A high-static-low-dynamic-stiffness delayed resonator vibration absorber

Delayed resonator (DR), which enables complete vibration suppression through loop delay tuning, has been extensively investigated as a linear active dynamic vibration absorber since its invention. Besides, the nonlinear high-static-low-dynamic stiffness (HSLDS) has been widely used in vibration isolators for broadband (yet incomplete) vibration reduction. This work combines the benefits of DR and the nonlinear HSLDS characteristics, thus creating a nonlinear DR (NDR). Three unexplored topics are considered: (1). To address the nonlinear dynamics that are made complicated by the introduction of delay and the nonlinearity coupled between the NDR and the primary structure; (2). To tune the control parameters to seek possible complete vibration suppression in the nonlinear case, and accordingly, to determine the operable frequency band; (3). To evaluate how the HSLDS characteristics can enhance the performance of the linear DR (LDR) and how to design an NDR to maximize its benefits. Without loss of generality, a classic nonlinear HSLDS structure with three springs and two links is considered, and mathematical tools and computational algorithms are introduced or proposed to efficiently address theoretical analysis. Using the parameters of an experimental setup, we show that a properly tuned NDR suppresses the vibrations on the primary structure to a sufficiently low level. Besides, the HSLDS characteristics extend the operable frequency band compared with the LDR, while strong nonlinearity limits such extension. The proposed analysis procedures for delay-coupled nonlinear dynamics, alongside the control parameter tuning, determination of operable frequency bands, and structural design rules, establish a basic theoretical framework for the NDR design.