Design of an active control engine mount using a direct drive electrodynamic actuator

This paper is focused on design of a new active control engine mount (ACM), which is both compact in size and cost effective. The ACM, consisting of an electrodynamic actuator as the active element, flat springs and a sliding ball joint, is different in structure from the previous ACM designs based on the conventional hydraulic engine mount. Dynamic characteristics of the proposed ACM are extensively investigated before a prototype ACM, which meets the design specifications, is built in the laboratory. For cost effectiveness, a feed-forward control algorithm without a feedback sensor is used for reduction of the transmitted force through the ACM by the engine. The prototype ACM is then harmonic-tested with a rubber testing machine for verification of its control performance as well as adequacy of modeling. Experimental results show that the proposed ACM is capable of reducing the transmitted force by 20 dB up to the frequency range of 60 Hz.