Experimental characterization of a nonlinear hydraulic engine mount

Hydraulic engine mounts exhibit nonlinearities due to internal fluid flow characteristics, compliances of elastomeric fluid chambers, decoupler switching mechanisms, and vacuum formation. To quantify these nonlinearities, several new or refined bench experiments are first proposed. Then steady state dynamic tests are conducted on an elastomer test machine where the transmitted force and top chamber pressure signals are acquired and analyzed. Various configurations of the mount are modeled and simulated to yield the steady state behavior at different frequencies and amplitudes of displacement excitation. Both frequency and time domain simulations agree well with measurements.