Application of the Hardware-in-the-Loop Technique to an Elastomeric Torsional Vibration Damper

This work describes the development and use of the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) technique to evaluate the dynamic behavior of a torsional vibration rubber damper (TVD) used in a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The TVD was adapted to a test bench designed for this research and the HIL technique was applied considering the simulated dynamic response of the crankshaft. The results of the torsional vibration amplitudes are compared with measured values in a steady-state well identified condition, to experimentally validate the proposed mathematical model and the possibility to use the HIL technique to evaluate dampers and crankshaft behavior in realistic long term tests, where the rubber degradation also affects the dynamic response of the system. Finally, it was concluded that simulated and measured signals presented a good correlation in some engine operational conditions, reaching the objectives of this study.