Numerical and experimental investigation on multibody systems with revolute clearance joints

A comprehensive combined numerical and experimental study on the dynamic response of a slider-crank mechanism with revolute clearance joints is presented and discussed in this paper to provide an experimental verification and validation of the predictive capabilities of the multibody clearance joint models. This study is supported in an experimental work in a test rig, which consists of a slider-crank mechanism with an adjustable radial clearance at the revolute joint between the slider and the connecting rod. The motion of the slider is measured with a linear transducer and an accelerometer. Dynamic tests at different operating crank speeds and with several clearance sizes are performed. The maximum slider acceleration, associated with the impact acceleration, is used as a measure of the impact severity. The obtained results demonstrate the dynamical behavior of a multibody mechanical system with a clearance joint. Finally, the correlation between the numerical and experimental results is presented and discussed leading to validated models of clearance revolute joints.