Energy efficient active vibration control strategies using electromagnetic linear actuators

Energy efficient current control methods in electromagnetic linear actuators are required to minimize the electrical power requirements imposed by active vibration control strategies. In this paper an efficient bidirectional buck-boost converter is discussed in two scenarios: an active vibration isolation system and an active dynamic vibration absorber (ADVA) using a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator. An electrical analogous circuit of an experimental test platform is used as part of the simulation model. This test platform is based on a vibration shaker that provides the based excitation required for the single Degree of-Freedom (1DoF) vibration model under study. The proposed bidirectional non-isolated buck-boost converter can recover the energy when the VCM acts as a generator and store it for future use. Simulation results prove that this type of topology is far more efficient than linear amplifiers typically used in active vibration control. This efficient current control method improves the viability of using active vibration control in flexible slender structures such as tall high-rise buildings and towers.