Adaptive Vibration Isolation Via Real-Time Transverse Strain Stiffness Modulation in Elastomeric Isolators

Sustained operation near transient structural resonance remains a critical degradation factor for variable-speed rotating machinery, as conventional passive isolators cannot adapt to shifting forcing frequencies. To overcome the structural complexity and power demands of active systems, this study experimentally validates a novel, field-free method for real-time adaptive vibration isolation via controlled transverse strain induction in 60 Shore A elastomeric mount. A mathematical framework incorporating the Rectangular Deformation Hypothesis was formulated to map geometric nonlinearities, establishing a lightweight third-order polynomial approximation (Y=0.0002302X³+0.01494X²+1.71X+234) for immediate stiffness prediction. Testing was executed on a motor-driven rig across seven speed regimes (400–600 RPM) under incremental stepper-motor strokes (0.0–6.0 mm). Time-domain acceleration streams filtered via OriginPro reveal a highly non-monotonic response: an initial 1.5 mm displacement triggers transient resonance tracking, whereas higher compression limits (4.5–6.0 mm) achieve optimal structural impedance, yielding substantial multi-axial attenuation along both radial and transverse paths. Frequency spectral maps confirm that mechanical pre-strain purposefully shifts structural eigenvalues away from localized driving frequencies. This work successfully verifies the operability of the authors' patented concept, offering a scalable, mechanically realizable strategy for rotating machinery health management.