This paper presents simulation and experimental results on the implementation of a velocity
feedback control unit with a new flywheel inertial actuator, which can be used to
reduce flexural vibration of distributed structures. The actuator incorporates a classical coil
emagnet linear transducer and a flywheel element such that both linear and rotational
inertia effects are generated by the moving components of the actuator. The additional
rotational inertia effect shifts to lower values the fundamental resonance frequency of the
actuator without increasing the static deflection of the suspended masses. Therefore, this
actuator can be conveniently used to implement feedback control units, which are robust
to shocks, have enhanced stability properties and, thus, improved vibration control effects.
To illustrate the key features of the proposed actuator, the characteristic electromechanical
response functions of a classical actuator and of the flywheel actuator are
first presented. Then, the stability and flexural vibration control performance of velocity
feedback loops with a classical and the flywheel inertial actuators are contrasted considering
a thin rectangular plate hosting structure.
