Performance of a dual-stage inerter-based vibration isolator

This paper investigates the dynamic behaviour and performance of a dual-stage inerter-based vibration isolator. Force transmissi-bility and vibration power flow variables are used as performance indices to evaluate the effectiveness of the inerter-based vibration isolator. Vibration power input, transmission and dissipation characteristics of the system are examined. It is found that the inclusion of inerters in dual-stage vibration isolator can reduce force and vibration power flow transmission over a larger band of excitation frequencies. The addition of inerters can also introduce notches in the curves of force transmissibility and time-averaged transmitted power such that the vibration transmission may be greatly suppressed at pre-determined excitation frequencies. These findings demonstrate the potential benefits of employing inerters in vibration isolation and facilitate better understanding of vibration mitigation systems with such element. (c) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.