Estimation of the Engine Exciting Force and the Rigid Body Vibration Mode of the Powerplant

The authors developed a new method to calculate engine exciting forces by solving equations of motion using measured angular velocity fluctuation at the flywheel of the engine.

Vibration response of a powerplant to the calculated engine exciting forces can be obtained by rigid body frequency response analysis with NASTRAN program using the measured value of the powerplant moment of inertia and the mount rubber characteristics.

Calculated acceleration levels of a powerplant by this method were in close agreement with the measured ones.

This method can be applied to estimate a powerplant vibration mode and levels when such parameters as engine mount locations are changed. As examples, the effect of reciprocating mass and cylinder-to-cylinder variation of fuel delivery were quantitatively discussed.