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Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering
Development And Testing Of An Actively Adjustable Stiffness Mechanism, Eleazar Marquez, Robert Freeman, Horacio Vasquez
Development And Testing Of An Actively Adjustable Stiffness Mechanism, Eleazar Marquez, Robert Freeman, Horacio Vasquez
Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations
This study presents the comparison of the theoretical and experimental results of the performance of an adjustable stiffness mechanism. In particular, the use of redundant actuation is emphasized in the design of a one degree-of-freedom Watt II mechanism capable of independently controlling the effective stiffness without a change in equilibrium position. This approach is in contrast to spring mechanism designs unable to actively control the spring rate independent of deflection, and with potential applications in various types of suspension and assembly systems. Results indicate that two direct drive brush-type direct current motors are required to drive the redundantly actuated mechanism …
A Nonlinear Model For Wind-Induced Oscillations Of Trees, Lakshmi Narayanan Ramanujam
A Nonlinear Model For Wind-Induced Oscillations Of Trees, Lakshmi Narayanan Ramanujam
Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014
Ambient wind causes trees to oscillate. Wind-induced oscillations of trees constitute a fluid-structure interaction problem, which has been studied by many researchers from various points of view. However, there is yet a lot to be done. From an engineering point of view, the complex structure of trees, which are very different from man-made structures, as well as the highly nonlinear interaction between wind and tree, makes it a challenging task to predict the amplitude and frequency of the resulting oscillations. From a biological point of view, the influence of wind on photosynthesis as well as the growth and death of …