A Report on Sympathetic Vibrations

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology

EMG 4212

Vibrations

Professor Keraita

08/04/2024

Members: Maxwell Omondi E023-01-1822/2018

Peter Simiren E023-01-0515/2018

Hillary Sapayian E023-01-1937/2018

Emmaculate Tei E023-01-0472/2018

John Mutua E023-01-0855/2019

Amos Migwi E023-01-1826/2018

Fredrick Mbuthia E023-01-0836/2019

John Kimani E023-01-1142/2020

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 Abstract

Variable speed motors are becoming more common in industries these days due to their affordability and

the possibility of saving energy. Still, the motor produces more acoustic noise because of the switching

harmonics caused by the electronic inverters. Controlling the noise can be achieved by designing inverters

that eliminate undesired harmonics or by altering the acoustic and vibration characteristics of the motor

structure.

This report discusses modeling the vibration behavior of a motor, comparing the calculated natural

frequencies with experimental results, and analyzing the overall vibration behavior

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 INTRODUCTION

The amplitude of forced vibrations of a body does not remain constant due to the presence of

damping forces of the surrounding medium. However, it is possible to keep the amplitude of

vibrations constant by applying an external periodic force such that the external periodic force

compensates for the loss of energy in each vibration due to the damping forces. The vibrat ions of

the body are then called sympathetic vibrations. Sympathetic vibration can also be described as

the transmission of vibration from one body to another.

Sympathetic vibration can be harnessed for various mechanical purposes, including:

1. Tuning forks: Used in tuning musical instruments, where the resonance of one tuning fork

causes another to vibrate at the same frequency, indicating that both are in tune.

2. Acoustic resonance: In architecture and engineering, sympathetic vibration can be a concern,

as it can cause structures to resonate and potentially fail if not properly accounted for in design.

3. Clocks: Some clocks use sympathetic vibration to maintain accuracy. For example, the

swinging of a pendulum can drive other mechanisms in the clock.

4. Ultrasound technology: In ultrasonic cleaning, for instance, sympathetic vibration can help to

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dislodge dirt and grime from objects being cleaned.

5. Musical instruments: Stringed instruments like guitars and pianos use sympathetic vibration to

produce sound. When one string is plucked, it can cause other strings to vibrate at harmonious

frequencies, enriching the sound.

6. Wireless energy transfer: Resonant inductive coupling is a method used to wirelessly transfer

electrical energy between two coils that are tuned to resonate at the same frequency.

7. Non-destructive testing: Sympathetic vibration is used in non-destructive testing techniques to

detect flaws or defects in materials by analyzing their resonant frequencies.

8. Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS): MEMS devices, such as accelerometers and

gyroscopes, can utilize sympathetic vibration for sensing and actuation purposes.

9. Structural health monitoring: By monitoring the sympathetic vibrations of structures,

engineers can assess their structural health and detect any potential issues or damage.

10. Fluid mechanics: In fluid mechanics, sympathetic vibration can occur in pipes and ducts,

affecting the flow of fluids and influencing phenomena such as cavitation.

11. Automotive engineering: Sympathetic vibration can be a factor in automotive engineering,

affecting the design of vehicle components to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).

Two machines of identical geometry on the same base, or platform, is not a good design,

especially if one is mostly in a standby mode. The problem is that the working machine transmits

vibration to the standby machine and causes damage. The standby machine sounds and feels as if

it were running. The housing of the standby machine vibrates in sympathy with the operating

machine particularly when resonances are involved. The housing thrusts against the inertia of the

rotor, and these cyclical forces are transmitted through the bearings. The roller elements are not

rolling but stationary in one spot against their races, and brinelling damage accumulates. When the

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standby machine is put into operation, its bearings are already damaged and failure comes quickly.

The typical vibration spectrum taken from the standby machine of figure 1 is presented in

the figure 3. The vibration levels in this spectrum are very high due to the sympathetic vibrations

transmitted from the operational machine.

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 The only effective protection that vibration monitoring can provide is to closely monitor

the bearings in the time domain for shock pulses. This situation has been brought up so that you

can recognize the true cause of frequent bearing failures on tandem machines. These tandem

machines will continue to be plagued with bearing changes unless action is taken to prevent this

transmission of sympathetic vibrations.

Two alternative steps can be taken to alleviate this problem. One is to stiffen the machines

such that motion is restricted. This decreases the forces transmitted through the bearings as the

housing oscillates against the inertia of the rotor. The other alternative is to break the transmission

path by cutting the common support .

The two machines are now isolated by cutting/breaking the common foundation and the

vibration spectrum is again taken. See figure 4. The vibration levels in this spectrum are very much

less compared to that in the figure 3. This indicates that breaking the force transmission path is

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one of the best methods for vibration isolation and to minimize the transmission of sympathetic

vibrations.

Methodology

1. A lockout/tag-out operation was performed on the motor control unit’s safety switch.

2. The following sub-steps were conducted to prepare the vibration generator for vibrations.

a. The vibration generator was located on the vibration analysis panel

b. Four spring mounts were located on the vibration analysis panel.

c. The spring mounts were screwed to the base plate of the vibration generator until

they snug.

d. The vibration generator was placed on the work surface

e. Four #6 nuts and the washers were obtained from the hardware container located

on the vibration analysis panel

f. Nuts and washers were used to secure the vibration generator to the work surface.

g. The vibration generator’s power cord was connected to the motor port on the motor

control unit.

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 3. The vibration meter was obtained and attached to the transducer of the vibration generator

using the stud mount.

4. A photo tachometer was obtained.

5. A piece of reflective tape was placed on the flywheel of the vibration generator.

6. The following sub- steps were performed to obtain the vibration data.

a. The lockout tag was removed.

b. The speed controller on the motor control unit was turned to zero.

c. The safety switch was turned on.

d. The motor power switch was turned on.

e. The measure push button on the photo tachometer was pressed and held.

f. The light was pointed towards the flywheel on the vibration generator.

g. An assistant was asked to slowly increase the setting of the speed control dial until

you read a rotational speed of 1000 rpm.

7. Readings of various rotational speeds were recorded to aid in plotting the graph of vibration

velocity against speed.

The setup was disassembled and all components returned to their proper storage

Data Presentation

A table presenting data of Motor speed in RPM against Vibration Velocity for undamped

vibrations

Speed (RPM) Velocity (ips)

5000 0.13

5500 0.15

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 6000 0.17

6500 0.06

7000 0.08

7500 0.13

8000 0.11

8500 0.14

9000 0.22

9500 0.26

10000 0.49

10500 0.38

11000 0.26

11500 0.17

12000 0.13

A table presenting data of Motor speed in RPM against Vibration Velocity for damped vibrations

Speed (RPM) Velocity (ips)

5000 0.04

5500 0.02

6000 0.02

6500 0.04

7000 0.04

7500 0.02

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 8000 0.02

8500 0.02

9000 0.02

9500 0.02

10000 0.02

10500 0.02

11000 0.02

11500 0.02

12000 0.02

Data Analysis

The graph below shows the relationship between the speed motor and the velocity frequency of

the undamped vibrations.

0.6
A graph of velocity of vibrations agsinst motor speed)
0.5

0.4
Velocity (ips)

0.3

Velocity (ips)
0.2

0.1

0
5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000
Speed (RPM)

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The graph below indicates the relationship between the speed of the motor and the velocity of

damped vibrations.

A graph of velocity against speed

0.045
0.04
0.035
Velocity (ips)

0.03
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
0
5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000
Speed (RPM)

Discussion

The motor reaches its peak value at around 10000RPM on the graph. The peak value at

the highest point represents the natural frequency of the vibration generator. The natural

frequency is the frequency at which systems oscillate without any external driving or damping

force. The highest point on a wave also indicates its amplitude.

When the motor's speed is raised, the wave starts to move downward, showing energy

loss through damping. Typically, this is done by utilizing springs as a mechanical damper to prop

up the motor on the foundation. If the energy is reduced, the vibration generator's natural

frequency will not be surpassed.

Extreme vibrations and noise were observed coming from the vibration generator at its

maximum speed of 10000RPM. Nevertheless, when the motor's speed was adjusted, the noise

and vibrations decreased. This was attributed to the natural frequency aligning with the

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resonance frequency, potentially causing severe vibrations and structural failure. The experiment

also revealed strategies to avoid resonance frequencies.

Adding additional masses would lower the inherent frequency and prevent the resonance

frequency.

- The peak response of the system decreases as the damping increases.

Conclusion

Since the motor is usually attached to the support with springs mounted under the motor,

their natural frequencies are much lower than the ones of interest and therefore experiments can

be done with a free support at other values as well.

Motor designs are complex. In essence, since any substructure would affect the overall

vibration behavior, all structural details should be considered in the modeling, especially

for small and medium-sized engines where mass and stiffness changes due to voids and bracing

are non-trivial. However, some simplifications can be made in the modelling.

The presence of a support would introduce new modes of vibration, especially at low

frequencies. At high frequencies, the support lowers the characteristic frequencies of the motor.

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 References

Carrou, J. L. L., Gautier, F., Dauchez, N., & Gilbert, J. (2005). Modelling of sympathetic string

vibrations. Acta Acustica united with Acustica, 91(2), 277-288.

Den Hartog, J., & fourth edition Mechanical, J. D. H. (1956). Vibrations. McGraw-Hill Book

Company, Inc., New York.

Kelly, S. G. (1992). Fundamentals of mechanical vibrations.

Schmitz, T. L., & Smith, K. S. (2012). Mechanical vibrations. Modeling and measurement.

Tse, F. S., Morse, I. E., & Hinkle, R. T. (1963). Mechanical vibrations. Boston: Allyn and

Bacon.

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