Control of vibrations in multi-mass systems with locally controlled absorbers

The main goal of this paper is the presentation of a local control concept to suppress vibrations in multi-mass systems. The controller needs only res tricted information from the multi-mass system, thus surmounting the need f or perfect knowledge of the system under consideration, and reducing the se nsor cost. A general solution for mass displacements is derived, and a stra tegy for placement of a locally controlled absorber in the multi-mass syste m is suggested. Besides, the possibilities of remote suppression and simult aneous suppression from different system points with a single absorber are presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.