Omnidirectional broadband insulating device for flexural waves in thin plates

TL;DR

This paper introduces a gradient index device that uses thickness variation in thin plates to effectively insulate a circular area from vibrations across a broad frequency range, combining focusing and dissipation mechanisms.

Contribution

It presents a novel design for broadband, omnidirectional vibration insulation in thin plates using a gradient index approach with thickness modulation and absorptive layers.

Findings

Proven broadband and omnidirectional vibration insulation.

Effective focusing and dissipation of flexural waves.

Validated through multilayer multiple scattering simulations.

Abstract

This work presents a gradient index device for insulating from vibrations a circular area of a thin plate. The gradient of the refractive index is achieved by locally changing the thickness of the plate, exploiting in this way the thickness-dependence of the dispersion relation of flexural waves in thin plates. A well-like thickness profile in an annular region of the plate is used to mimic the combination of an attractive and repulsive potentials, focusing waves at its bottom and dissipating them by means of a properly designed absorptive layer placed on top of the plate. The central area is therefore isolated from vibrations while they are dissipated at the bottom of the well. Simulations have been done using the multilayer multiple scattering method and the results prove their broadband efficiency and omnidirectional properties.