An innovative pendulum-based absorber exploiting time-varying mass dynamics for vibration damping

Abstract

Research concerns an innovative semi-active pendulum absorber utilising a varying mass as a way of controlling mechanical system dynamics. An objective of the study is to propose the attenuator concept and its mathematical model – an attachable device mounted to a vibrating system in order to eliminate its pendulum motion. The main advantage of the novel pendulum tuned mass damper (PTMD) is combining features of widely known vibrational energy absorber (TMD), improving and expanding its capability through allowing for adaptable changes to the system characteristics and extending its basic operational range through varying its mass realised by transferring the fluid between the main system and the absorber. The article provides research comparing the results of computer simulations with empirical experiments. The objective was to investigate the effectiveness of mass transfer in process of vibrations mitigating. Various factors were analysed, including the influence of changes in a natural frequency of the structure, the activation time of a tuned mass damper (TMD), and the fluid flow rate within the system. The findings demonstrate that mass transfer is a promising approach to reduce vibrations in both, mechanical systems and civil engineering structures. Presented approach enhances the performance of conventional TMDs by incorporating variable parameters, leading to more effective vibration damping compared to traditional fixed-parameter designs.