A broadband variable fluid damper with frequency selective valves for spacecraft micro-vibration isolation

In order to improve the vibration isolation performance of current three-parameter damper using bellow and fluid damping, a concept of fluid damper with variable damping and secondary variable stiffness was proposed, a prototype has been designed with several frequency selective valves to adjust the damping characteristics at specific frequency bands, especially that in the low-frequency range. Followed mathematical modelling and simulation of the damper have been carried out, the results show that the designed damper has obtained excellent damping characteristics both in the high- and low-frequency ranges, the micro-vibration isolation efficiency of the damper under realistic excitation of a Control Moment Gyroscope used in a manned spacecraft reaches a significant 71.03 %.The proposed damper concept and designed prototype have laid the foundation for further testing and optimization of high-end isolators for modern spacecrafts.