ON THE SHAPE OF A CABLE TOWED IN A CIRCULAR PATH,
Abstract
The problem of determining the shape of a cable towed in a circular path is considered both by experimental and theoretical techniques. The equations of static equilibrium, referred to a rotating coordinate system, are derived and nondimensionalized to isolate the important parameters. Certain order-of-magnitude simplifications are obtained. The remainder of the study is restricted to cases where the effect of hydrodynamic drag is negligible. The experimental results indicate that for certain combinations of the governing parameters no stable equilibrium solution for the cable shape exists. Rather, at these combinations, the system is marked by a violent dynamic motion between two adjoining nodal configurations. To examine this phenomenon analytically, the static equations are idealized to a vacuous towing medium. It is shown that these equations possess several possible solutions. The questions of stability of equilibrium and onset of transition are resolved from these solutions by reference to the experimental observations. Since no drag forces are present in a vacuum, it is concluded that the centrifugal loading is the principal agent responsible for producing the unsteady dynamic behavior of the cable. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 24, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0706716
Entities
People
- Richard A. Skop
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory