Transient response of a hydraulic engine mount

Linear and non-linear transient responses of a typical hydraulic engine mount are analytically and experimentally studied in this paper. First, a lumped parameter linear model is used to approximate the typical step response and to suggest parameters that must be experimentally determined. Various configurations as related to inertia track and decoupler are analyzed. Two bench experiments are constructed for the identification of non-linear compliances and resistances. One of the main non-linear characteristics, however, comes from the decoupler mechanism. To accurately predict the time events of the decoupler opening and closing, an equivalent viscous damper model is employed along with a multi-staged switching mechanism. Additionally, non-linear behavior arising due to the vacuum formation in the top chamber is studied by defining a bi-linear asymmetric stiffness curve. New transient experiments are conducted on an elastomer test system, and measured transmitted force and top chamber pressure signals are analyzed. Results of the proposed simulation model match well with measured responses when step up, step down and triangular waveforms are applied. Areas for future research are identified.