Modeling and analysis of dual-chamber pneumatic spring with adjustable damping for precision vibration isolation

Dual-chamber pneumatic spring with adjustable damping (DCPS-AD) employs a variable orifice mechanism (VOM) to obtain the adjustable stiffness and damping characteristics. These adjustable characteristics are aimed at improving the performance of the pneumatic vibration isolation system (VIS). In order to understand thoroughly how the adjustable parameter of VOM affects the behavior of DCPS-AD, the model of DCPS-AD is derived analytically and validated experimentally. The influence of VOM on the performance of DCPS-AD is analyzed quantitatively. All the results demonstrate that VOM has the ability to vary complex stiffness distribution in frequency domain. Based on these results, the approach optimizing the performance of VIS is proposed, which is realized by adjusting VOM actively. Performance experimental measurements of VIS in frequency domain are carried out under different payload masses. The measurement results validate the proposed approach, which can optimize the performance of VIS when some application conditions varying.