Nonlinear modal testing performed by pulsed-air jet excitation system

This paper presents a novel approach for testing structural component to nonlinear vibrations. Nowadays, nonlinear testing is mainly carried out by using electromagnetic shakers. These are efficient and powerful excitation systems which transmit the force by a rigid stinger and can be driven by different excitation signals. The rigid connection contributes to create mechanical impedance mismatch between the shaker and the test structure thus reducing the efficiency of the driving force. An alternative solution to shakers is represented by use of a pulsed air jet excitation method, which drives the force by a pulsed air-jets and therefore contactless. This condition eliminates the mechanical impedance mismatch with the test structure and the excitation can be more efficient than the one created by shakers. The pulsed air-jet excitation system is used to study nonlinear vibrations of composites components. These were designed to be mock-ups of fan blades the layup of which was varied for the three types of components used in this work. Tests were carried out by performing forced response and free decay measurements. The free decay type of test revealed interesting results and the novelty of using such an exciter for nonlinear testing. The major novelty consists of interrupting the air flow from a steady state condition and let happen the free decay, all these without experiencing undesired dynamics as experienced by contact excitation.