No abstract

A uniform cantilever beam under the effect of a time-periodic axial force is investigated. The beam structure is discretized by a finite-element approach. The linearised equations of motion describing the planar bending vibrations of the beam structure lead to a system with time-periodic stiffness coefficients. The stability of the system is investigated by a numerical method based on Floquet's theorem and an analytical approach resulting from a first-order perturbation. It is demonstrated that the parametrically excited beam structure exhibits enhanced damping properties, when excited near a specific parametric combination resonance frequency. A certain level of the forcing amplitude has to be exceeded to achieve the damping effect. Upon exceeding this value, the additional artificial damping provided to the beam is significant and works best for suppression of vibrations of the first vibrational mode of the cantilever beam.

This contribution investigates the influence of parametric excitation on the dynamic stability of a microelectromechanical system. In systems with just a single degree of freedom, parametric excitation causes the oscillator to exhibit unstable behavior within certain intervals of the parametric excitation frequency. In multi-degree of freedom systems on the other hand, unstable behavior is caused within a wider range of intervals of the parametric excitation frequency. Moreover, such systems show frequency intervals of enhanced stability, an effect known as anti-resonance phenomenon. Both types of phenomena, the parametric resonance and anti-resonance, are modeled and studied for a microelectromechanical system with two degrees of freedom and some novel results are discussed.

The contribution deals with the problem of quenching self-excited vibrations of a mechanical system by means of parametric excitation. Parametric excitation is introduced via harmonic variation of a spring stiffness. Attention is given to systems having three or more degrees of freedom and where several modes of self-excited vibrations can be initiated. As an example, a three-mass system is analyzed. The analysis is complemented by a numerical simulation of the governing system of differential equations.

This article reports on the experimental verification of an anti-resonance effect obtained by parametric stiffness excitation. From theoretical studies it is known that parametric excitation at non-resonant parametric resonances can improve the damping behavior of a mechanical system and even stabilize an otherwise unstable system. To demonstrate this effect, a test setup was designed, based on a two-mass vibration system, gliding on an air track. Parametric stiffness excitation (PSE) was realized by a mechanical device that creates a time-periodic stiffness by modulating the tension in an elastic rubber band. With this device it was possible to demonstrate the improved damping behavior of the system when the PSE device is operating at or near the first parametric combination resonance of difference type. Also, a simple electro-magnetic device was used to create self-exciting forces. It could be shown for the first time that it is indeed possible to stabilize the unstable system by introducing parametric stiffness excitation.