Modal vibration control for PVDF coated plates

Since advanced technical systems, such as aircrafts, space structures and a utomobiles, have to combine high performance with low weight, passive vibra tion absorbers reach their limits. This is why active control has become mo re important in structural dynamics with successful applications. Vibration control requires sensors, actuators and a controller. In this paper Polyvi nylidene fluoride (PVDF) is used as actuator and sensor material. The PVDF elements are segmented in arrays on the plate. The sensors act as point sen sors and the sensor signals are filtered by a modal sensor matrix. The moda l displacements and modal velocities are used as input data for the control ler and for a so-called Actuator Management System (AMS) as well. A modal a ctuator matrix transforms the controller output into driving actuator volta ges. The AMS switches elements of the modal actuator matrix which results i n quasi modal actuator groups. A rectangular aluminum plate has been equipp ed with PVDF actuators and sensors and experimental tests have been carried out in order to validate the proposed concept.