Application of passive and active constrained layer damping for the vibration suppression of a flexible four-bar mechanism

Vibration suppression of a flexible four-bar mechanism is investigated. A generic four-bar mechanism, with flexible coupler, is considered for the investigation. Passive and active constrained layer damping techniques are adopted for the vibration suppression. The equations of motion are developed using the assumed mode method and the constrained Lagrange's equations, and are manipulated and solved using Maple and Matlab. Two types of responses are investigated: the free decay response due to an initial midpoint deflection of the flexible coupler, and the forced transient response due to an applied crank pulse torque. Effects of the application of passive and active constrained layer damping on the responses are discussed.