The objective of this paper is to test and model a single-degree-of-freedom vibration isolation system with a magnetorheological (MR) foam damper under harmonic and random excitations. The results of this research are valuable for understanding the characteristics of the MR foam damper and include the experimental design and results of vibration mitigations for frequency ranges up to $2000Hz$. Transmissibility and acceleration hysteresis experiments of the MR foam damper system with different levels of input current are discussed. A simple damper design that eliminates many of the constraints normally associated with fluid filled devices is presented. Constitutive equations of the Bouc–Wen model are used to validate and characterize the MR foam damper. The motion characteristics of the MR foam damper are studied. Experimental results reveal that the mechanical behavior of the MR foam damper is nonlinear and that the field-dependent behavior of MR foam damper is associated with the applied frequency and acceleration amplitude. Experiments demonstrate MR foam damper works well in controlling vibrations and can be controlled and tuned for specific applications.

1.
Sarigul-Klijn
,
N.
, and
Sarigul-Klijn
,
M.
, 1997, “
Analysis of the OH-6A Helicopter Flight Test Data Using Lissajous Figures
,”
J. Aircr.
0021-8669,
34
, pp.
20
22
.
2.
Crosby
,
M. J.
, and
Karnopp
,
D. C.
, 1973, “
The Active Damper-A New concept for Shock and Vibration Control
,” Forty Third Shock and Vibration Bulletin, Part 4, Naval Research Labs, pp.
119
133
.
3.
Karnopp
,
D.
, 1995, “
Active and Semi-active Vibration Isolation
,” Trans. ASME, Special 50th Ann. Design Issue,
117
(B), pp.
177
185
.
4.
Dyke
,
S. J.
,
Spencer
,
B. F.
, Jr.
,
Sain
,
M. K.
, and
Carlson
,
J. D.
, 1996, “
Modeling and Control of Magnetorheological Dampers for Seismic Response Reduction
,”
Smart Mater. Struct.
0964-1726,
5
(
5
), pp.
565
575
.
5.
Zhou
,
G. Y.
, and
Li
,
J. R.
, 2003, “
Dynamic Behavior of a Magnetorheological Elastomer under Uniaxial Deformation: I. Experiment
,”
Smart Mater. Struct.
0964-1726,
12
(
6
), pp.
859
872
.
You do not currently have access to this content.