Understanding Object Motion

Abstract

Many types of common objects, such as tools and vehicles, usually move in simple ways when they are wielded or driven: The natural axes of the object tend to remain aligned with the local trihedron defined by the object's trajectory. Based on this observation we use a model called Frenet-Serret motion which corresponds to the motion of a moving trihedron along a space curve. Knowing how the Frenet-Serret frame is changing relative to the observer gives us essential information for understanding the object's motion. This is illustrated here for four examples, involving tools (a wrench and a saw) and vehicles (an accelerating van, a turning taxi).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA353694

Entities

People

  • Azriel Rosenfeld
  • Ehud Rivlin
  • Zoran Duriel

Organizations

  • University of Maryland

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Resistance
  • Aircrafts
  • Algorithms
  • Cartesian Coordinates
  • Computer Science
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Curvature
  • Differential Geometry
  • Equations
  • Geometry
  • Ground Vehicles
  • Observers
  • Rotation
  • Trajectories
  • Translations
  • Universities
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers