Modeling and dynamical performance of the electromagnetic mass driver system for structural vibration control

This paper presents the designing, theoretical modeling and dynamical testing of an innovative Electromagnetic Mass Driver (subsequently called the “EMD”) system for structural vibration control. Firstly, a set of bench-scale EMD system was developed. Then, based on the electromagnetic field theory, the Kirchhoff's circuit law, and the analogous analysis, electro-mechanical models of the EMD system were developed, which utilizes the control voltage and relative velocity to predict active control force generated by the EMD system. To validate these models, as well as to examine the dynamic performance of the EMD system, a series of tests under open-loop control mode and closed-loop control mode were carried out. All the test results show that the EMD system functions linearly under low levels of input voltage and low frequencies. Furthermore, step inputs based transient response of the EMD system was also examined. The results show the EMD system is a fast and well controllable actuator. At last, all the experimental results were compared with theoretical predications based on the proposed electro-mechanical model. Successful experimental validation of the force-voltage relationship lays out the foundation for structural vibration control utilizing such kind of innovative EMD system.