Active vibration isolation on an experimental flexible structure

The paper describes experimental research in the area of active vibration isolation. The objective of the research is to quantitatively assess the performance gained by augmenting a passive isolator with an active stage. Vibration isolation experiments were carried out on a flexible structure utilizing a proof-mass shaker as the disturbance source and a newly developed active member as the isolator. Broad band force feedback control demonstrated more than 20 dB reduction in force transmissibility over passive isolation alone. The broad band controller was augmented with notch filters which resulted in reducing force transmissibility by 40 dB over the passive stage in select narrow bands.