Counter-Balanced Pendulum.
Abstract
To simulate zero-gravity in ground-testing, one may analyze a system of counter-balanced pendulums made up of two identical bobs which are tied to the ends of an inextensible string and are suspended from two pulleys separated by a certain distance. With this diskette you will explore the dynamics of counter-balanced pendulums when only one bob is swung, while the other is allowed to move vertically. There are two basic modules. One is the in-situ integration by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme with a tolerance check. Although there is a restriction on the choice of initial angles, you may integrate the motion as long as you please. The other module is a theoretical analysis for small and large times to deduce qualitative dynamical behavior. We have discovered an asymptotic invariant of motion which is defined analogous to the action of standard pendulum. Keywords: Counter balanced pendulum, Zero gravity simulation, Time integration, Microcomputer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA187706
Entities
People
- Jon Lee
Organizations
- Wright Laboratory