Rocking and rolling down an incline : the dynamics of nested cylinders on a ramp

In this thesis, I report the results of a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of a journal bearing, specifically, a cylinder suspended in a viscous fluid housed within a cylindrical shell, rolling down an incline under the influence of gravity. Particular attention is given to rationalizing the distinct modes of motion observed. We performed a series of experiments in which the inner cylinder density and the fluid viscosity were varied. Three distinct types of behavior were observed. First, in what we shall call the "rocking" mode, after an initial settling period, the shell rocks back and forth without moving down the ramp. Second, we observed "slow, quasi-steady rolling"; this mode is characterized by the system proceeding down the hill at essentially a constant velocity. Finally, the cylinders roll down the incline with constant acceleration; we shall call this mode "unbounded acceleration." An accompanying theoretical model is developed and enables us to rationalize the rocking and accelerating modes. In the rocking solutions, potential and kinetic energy are dissipated in the fluid as the inner cylinder approaches the bottom of the outer cylinder.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mathematics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Vener, David Paul

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• John W.M. Bush.

• Mathematics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/34616
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/34616

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34616