Abstract: A fluid-filled elastic mount wherein an elastic body elastically connecting a first and a second support partially defines a fluid chamber filled with a non-compressible fluid. The elastic mount further includes an oscillating plate which partially defines the fluid chamber and which is supported by the second support such that the oscillating plate is displaceable relative to the second support, and an electrostrictive/magnetostrictive element for oscillating the oscillating plate to thereby change a pressure of the fluid in the fluid chamber. The second support has a small-diameter cylindrical portion to which the elastic body is secured, and a large-diameter cylindrical portion in which the oscillating plate having a large surface area is accommodated. The electrostrictive/magnetostrictive element is interposed between the oscillating plate and a support member fixed to the second support.

Abstract: A method of supporting an exhaust pipe for an engine of a motor vehicle, on a vehicle body is disclosed. Initially, the exhaust pipe is formed such that the pipe is flexible at an intermediate point thereof in the vicinity of a rear axle of the vehicle, on which a nodal point of a primary natural vibration mode of the vehicle lies. The exhaust pipe has a rear section which extends rearwards from the intermediate point. Then, the rear section of the exhaust pipe is elastically supported on the vehicle body, such that the rear section is oscillatable about the intermediate point relative to the vehicle body. With a natural frequency of the rear section of the exhaust pipe tuned to a primary natural frequency of the vehicle body, the rear section of the pipe serves as a dynamic damper for the vehicle body. Also disclosed is a support structure for supporting the exhaust pipe in the manner described above.