The objective of the present study is to mitigate, or even completely
eliminate, the limit cycle oscillations in mechanical systems using a passive
nonlinear absorber, termed the nonlinear tuned vibration absorber (NLTVA). An
unconventional aspect of the NLTVA is that the mathematical form of its
restoring force is not imposed a priori, as it is the case for most existing
nonlinear absorbers. The NLTVA parameters are determined analytically using
stability and bifurcation analyses, and the resulting design is validated using
numerical continuation. The proposed developments are illustrated using a Van
der Pol-Duffing primary system