Synthesis of Viscoelastic Behavior Through Electromechanical Coupling

Author(s)

Kuhnert, Willian M. ; Cammarano, Andrea ; Silveira, Marcos ; Goncalves, Paulo J. P.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF VIBRATION ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGIES; v. 9, n. 3, p. 13-pg., 2020-08-11.

Abstract

Background Viscoelasticity is a property of materials that present elastic and viscous behavior when they experience deformation. The simplest model that can represent the viscoelastic behavior is generally called the Standard Linear Solid model or Zener model. Purpose Based on the Zener model, the objective of this paper is to present the concept and the design of equivalent electromechanical systems that permit the emulation of viscoelastic behavior. Besides, the possibility of harvesting the energy normally wasted as heat in viscoelastic materials is also considered. Methods The methods applied in this paper are based on the analytic development of equations in time and frequency domain, including optimization and numerical simulations. Results Equivalent equations were derived considering the mechanical and electromechanical analogy. These equations were verified by correlating known results from the literature. New results for white noise excitation were obtained and optimization of power harvesting was performed. Conclusions The proposed electromechanical system is equivalent to the Zener system if its mechanical damping is small when compared to the equivalent electrical damping effect. Resulting in viscoelastic behavior without the need of viscoelastic materials, electromechanical equivalent Zener systems also allow energy recovery whilst maintaining vibration isolation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/17083-4 - Exploiting Nonlinearities for Energy and Comfort Optimization in Electromechanical Vehicle Suspension Systems
• Grantee: Willian Minnemann Kuhnert
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/02150-3 - Power analysis on electromechanical systems with non linear electrical resistance
• Grantee: Willian Minnemann Kuhnert
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate