Performance of a Bi-unit Damper Using Digital Image Processing

This paper deals with passive vibration control using a bi-unit impact damper, also referred to as bi-unit impact vibration absorber. The main contribution of this work is to experimentally analyze the performance of a bi-unit impact vibration absorber using digital image processing. With the use of this technique, two or three bodies will be tracked simultaneously, namely, the primary system, and either the response of one or two impacting steel balls. The absorption pattern of the bi-unit is studied under free vibrations, constant frequency excitation, and sweep excitations. These results reveal that the use of digital image processing can eliminate the use of existing limitations which can sometimes change the dynamics of the system. The optical technique used captures reliably the detailed vibroimpact dynamics of the bodies. The detailed dynamic patterns of the particles during varying levels of energy absorption from the primary system are discussed in context of published theoretical results.