The effects of nonlinearity on the output frequency response of a passive engine mount

In this paper, the new concept of output frequency-response function (OFRF) that was derived recently by the authors from the Volterra-series theory of nonlinear systems is briefly introduced. An effective algorithm is proposed to determine the monomials in the OFRF-based representation of the output frequency response of nonlinear systems. The results are then used to analyze the output frequency response of a passive engine mount. Important conclusions regarding the effects of system nonlinearity on the output frequency-response behaviors of the engine mount are reached via theoretical analysis and verified by simulation studies. These conclusions are of significant importance for the analysis and design of vibration isolators such as engine mounts in practice.