Decoupling of Mechanical Systems Based on In-situ Frequency Response Functions: The LPD Method

Faculteit Toegepaste Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen

Ingenieurswetenschappen Vakgroep Toegepaste Mechanica
Onderzoeksgroep Op3Mech

This thesis focusses on the problems encountered when decoupling mechanical Decoupling of Mechanical
systems. The decoupling procedure is required to obtain information about the
several sub-assemblies. The decoupled system's Frequency Response Functions Systems Based on In-situ
(FRFs) are essential to identify which forces contribute the most to a specific
vibration problem. The theory presented to deal with these issues is the so-called Frequency Response Functions:
Link-Preserving, Decoupling (LPD) method.
The LPD Method
The LPD method is based on the coupled system's partitioned dynamic stiffness
matrix. By using a strategic partitioning of this matrix, it is proven that the Laurent Keersmaekers
passive system's FRFs are obtained without disassembling the system, nor
knowing the link parameters. Since the links are considered as parameters,
situations such as rigid links and links containing more DoFs can be examined as
well.

When rotational vibrations are involved, the theory of multibody mechanics has
been considered to develop appropriate link models. These link models are then
used to derive the expressions for the planar and spatial LPD methods.

In order to improve the LPD method's FRFs estimates, an inverse sensitivity

analysis is proposed. This technique compensates the errors made by the
misalignment of sensors and/or actuators.

Proefschrift voorgelegd voor het behalen van de gezamelijke graad van:

Doctor in de Ingenieurswetenschappen (VUB)
Doctor in de Toegepaste Ingenieurswetenschappen (UAntwerpen)
July, 2015
Promotors:
Prof. dr. ir. P. Guillaume
Prof. dr. ir. L. Mertens