Extending the operation range of electrorheological actuators for vibration control through novel designs

Abstract

Electrohydraulic actuators with electrorheological fluids were lately introduced for active vibration decoupling. They are suited especially for active isolation of heavy machines and apparatuses. Compared to conventional electrodynamic or hydraulic actuators, these electrorheological systems have considerable advantages because of very high force density and broad frequency range. However, the potential of the electrorheological technology does not remain used up to now completely. In this study, new designs are introduced, which extend the operation borders of the electrorheological actuators for vibration decoupling by utilization of hydrostatic as well as to hydrodynamic forces. The theoretically determined dynamic behaviors of the new actuator principles form the basis for the choice and adaptation of the electrohydraulic systems to special vibration isolation problems and show the advantages to conventional hydraulic actuators.