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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R78695/01
Title: The Inerter Concept in Mechanical Networks: Control, Design and Implementation
Principal Investigator: Smith, Professor M
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
McLaren Group
Department: Engineering
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 2002 Ends: 31 December 2004 Value (£): 215,310
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Control Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The inerter concept represents a new direction in the synthesis of mechanical networks in that a realisable, two-terminal mechanical element is proposed which is the true dual of the mechanical spring, and a non-grounded analogue of the electrical capacitor (in the force-current analogy). The project will investigate the theoretical benefits of mechanical networks incorporating inerters and the practical issues involved in building inerters. In the context of vehicle suspensions a specific mechanical network, derived using the method of Brune synthesis, will be studied (1) theoretically for its advantages in vehicle dynamics and (2) practically in relation to its feasibility in terms of mechanical construction. Associated packaging issues in the vehicle suspension application will be considered. Alternative realisations of low-order, positive-real admittance functions using springs, dampers and inerters will be investigated using methods such as Darlington synthesis, and related fundamental questions of realisation. Other applications of mechanical networks incorporating inerters will be studied such as vibration absorption and simulated mass. Various embodiments of inerters will be built and tested for their dynamical properties and durability.
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Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk