A Recursive Formulation for Constrained Mechanical System Dynamics: Part II. Closed Loop Systems

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT A recursive formulation of the equations of motion of constrained mechanical systems with closed loops is derived, using tools of variational and vector calculus. Kinematic couplings between pairs of contiguous bodies presented in Part 1 of this paper are generalized. Lagrange multipliers are introduced to account for the effects of joints that are cut to define a tree structure. Constraint Jacobian terms are added to the reduced variational equations derived in Part I. Cut-joint constraint acceleration equations are derived, to complete the reduced equations of motion. Lagrange multipliers associated with each cut-joint are eliminated at the first junction body encountered that permits closing the loop that constraints in cut joint. The inductive algorithm developed in Part I is used to calculate accelerations for the system. A multi-loop compressor is analyzed to illustrate use of the method.