On the existence and uniqueness of limit cycles in planar continuous piecewise linear systems without symmetry

Some techniques to show the existence and uniqueness of limit cycles, typically stated for smooth vector fields, are extended to continuous piecewise-linear differential systems.New results are obtained for systems with three linearity zones without symmetry and having one equilibrium point in the central region. We also revisit the case of systems with only two linear zones giving shorter proofs of known results.A relevant application to the McKean piecewise linear model of a single neuron activity is included.     

Periodic solutions of generalized Liénard equations with a <Emphasis Type=Italic>p</Emphasis>-Laplacian-like operator*

In this paper, sufficient conditions are established to guarantee the existence of at least one periodic solution to a generalized Liénard equation with a p-Laplacian-like operator. Generalized polar coordinates are employed in our proof. *The project is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10671012).     

Coexistence of unbounded solutions and periodic solutions of Liénard equations with asymmetric nonlinearities at resonance

In this paper, we deal with the existence of unbounded orbits of the mapping {θ1 = θ 2nπ 1/ρμ(θ) o(ρ-1),ρ1=ρ c-μ′(θ) o(1), ρ→∞,where n is a positive integer, c is a constant and μ(θ) is a 2π-periodic function. We prove that if c ＞ 0 and μ(θ) ≠ 0, θ∈ [0, 2π], then every orbit of the given mapping goes to infinity in the future for ρ large enough; if c ＜ 0 and μ(θ) ≠ 0, θ∈ [0, 2π], then every orbit of the given mapping goes to infinity in the past for ρ large enough. By using this result, we prove that the equation x″ f(x)x′ ax -bx- φ(x) =p(t) has unbounded solutions provided that a, b satisfy 1/√a 1/√b = 2/n and F(x)(= ∫x0 f(s)ds),and φ(x) satisfies some limit conditions. At the same time, we obtain the existence of 2π-periodic solutions of this equation.     

Qualitative behavior of solutions of Liénard-type systems with state-dependent impulses

State-dependent impulsive differential equations can be used to describe phenomena in which the velocity of an object suddenly changes when the object enters a predetermined state. This study examines the effect of state-dependent impulses on the rotation of all orbits of the Liénard system, which plays an important role in many research areas, including electrical circuits, diverse engineering fields, economics, ecology, and physiology. Determining whether all orbits of the Liénard system other than the origin, which is the only fixed point, rotate around the origin, is the basis of other properties of the orbit and has become a significant research subject; however, very few studies have examined the effects of state-dependent impulses on this behavior, and the main theorem presented in this paper addresses this. This rotation problem is reduced to establishing whether all orbits intersect the vertical isocline, which is discussed in detail. To facilitate the understanding of the proof of the main theorem, an overview is presented before providing the actual proof. The main theorem and some lemmas are proved using phase plane analysis. The application of the main theorem to Euler’s equations is also described.     

On the criteria for integrability of the Liénard equation

The Liénard equation is of a high importance from both mathematical and physical points of view. However a question about integrability of this equation has not been completely answered yet. Here we provide a new criterion for integrability of the Liénard equation using an approach based on nonlocal transformations. We also obtain some of the previously known criteria for integrability of the Liénard equation as a straightforward consequence of our approach’s application. We illustrate our results by several new examples of integrable Liénard equations.     

On the Liénard system with two isoclines

In this paper, the non-existence of limit cycles of a Liénard system ẋ = y−F(x), ẏ = −g(x) is discussed. By using the transformation y = z+ϕ(x) to the system, the new system has two special isoclines. We call the curves Vertical isocline or Horizontal isocline, respectively. It shall be shown that the existence of these isoclines play an important role in the non-existence of limit cycles of the system. The results are applied to many examples, and the known results are improved in certain cases. The results were announced at Annual Meeting of Mathematical Society of Japan on September 19 of 2005. Also they were published at the Poster Competition of ICM(Madrid) on August 22–30 of 2006.     

A continuation theorem with applications to periodically forced Liénard equations in the presence of a separatrix

In this paper we prove a result on the existence of periodic motions for the periodically forced Liénard differential equation x ^″+f(x)x ^′+g(x)=e(t) in a situation where the phase portrait of the associated autonomous equation is similar to that of a centre limited by an unbounded separatrix. The existence result, which is based on a degree theoretic continuation theorem, enables us to treat some interesting cases not previously considered in the literature. Received: April 27, 2000 Published online: December 19, 2001     

New lower bounds for the Hilbert number of polynomial systems of Liénard type

In this paper, we study the maximal number of limit cycles of some kinds of polynomial Liénard systems with arbitrary degree and obtain some new lower bounds for the Hilbert number of the systems, which improve truly the certain existing results.     

Limit cycles of a class of Liénard systems derived from state-dependent impulses

Discontinuous phenomena, in which objects may behave continuously and sometimes discretely are not only found in nature and under laboratory conditions but also in simple, familiar contexts. For example, this phenomenon is skillfully incorporated into the internal structure of mechanical wristwatches. Unless an extremely small amount of state-dependent impulse is applied intermittently, the reciprocating rotational movement of the balance and hairspring, which is the heart of the mechanical wristwatch, cannot be maintained. The small amount of state-dependent impulse, which is often overlooked, can make a significant difference; however, very few studies have examined this subject. This study assumes the underlying cause of discontinuous behaviors as impulses generated when an object reaches a particular state, assuming that the continuous behavior follows the Liénard system, which is widely studied in the field of electrical circuits. The main theorem provides the conditions under which the effect of the impulses causes a stable limit cycle in the Liénard system, even if no limit cycle exists when there are no impulses. The Poincaré–Bendixson theorem for discontinuous dynamical systems and phase plane analysis are used to prove the main theorem. Several examples and their simulations are provided to illustrate the main theorem.     

A simple method for constructing non-liouvillian first integrals of autonomous planar systems

We show that a transformation method relating planar first-order differential systems to second order equations is an effective tool for finding non-liouvillian first integrals. We obtain explicit first integrals for a subclass of Kukles systems, including fourth and fifth order systems, and for generalized Liénard-type systems.     

Integrability and solvability of polynomial Liénard differential systems

We provide the necessary and sufficient conditions of Liouvillian integrability for Liénard differential systems describing nonlinear oscillators with a polynomial damping and a polynomial restoring force. We prove that Liénard differential systems are not Darboux integrable excluding subfamilies with certain restrictions on the degrees of the polynomials arising in the systems. We demonstrate that if the degree of a polynomial responsible for the restoring force is greater than the degree of a polynomial producing the damping, then a generic Liénard differential system is not Liouvillian integrable with the exception of linear Liénard systems. However, for any fixed degrees of the polynomials describing the damping and the restoring force we present subfamilies possessing Liouvillian first integrals. As a by-product of our results, we find a number of novel Liouvillian integrable subfamilies. In addition, we study the existence of nonautonomous Darboux first integrals and nonautonomous Jacobi last multipliers with a time-dependent exponential factor.     

一类广义Liénard型系统解振荡的充要条件

给出了一类广义Liénard型系统(x)=p(y)k(x),(y)=-f(x,y)p(y)q(y)-g(x)h(y).解振荡的充要条件,文中的引理也有助于研究这类系统周期解的存在性.     

Proof of Artés–Llibre–Valls's conjectures for the Higgins–Selkov and the Selkov systems

The aim of this paper is to prove Artés–Llibre–Valls's conjectures on the uniqueness of limit cycles for the Higgins–Selkov system and the Selkov system. In order to apply the limit cycle theory for Liénard systems, we change the Higgins–Selkov and the Selkov systems into Liénard systems first. Then, we present two theorems on the nonexistence of limit cycles of Liénard systems. At last, the conjectures can be proven by these theorems and some techniques applied for Liénard systems.     

Oscillation of solutions of second-order nonlinear differential equations of Euler type

We consider the nonlinear Euler differential equation t²x^″+g(x)=0. Here g(x) satisfies xg(x)>0 for x≠0, but is not assumed to be sublinear or superlinear. We present implicit necessary and sufficient condition for all nontrivial solutions of this system to be oscillatory or nonoscillatory. Also we prove that solutions of this system are all oscillatory or all nonoscillatory and cannot be both. We derive explicit conditions and improve the results presented in the previous literature. We extend our results to the extended equation t²x^″+a(t)g(x)=0.     

Global regularity for a special family of axisymmetric solutions to the three-dimensional magnetic Bénard problem

We study the three-dimensional magnetic Bénard problem, and establish the global regularity for a special family of axisymmetric solutions.     

Oscillation criteria for first-order neutral differential equations

This paper discusses a class of first-order neutral differential equations with variable coefficients and variable deviations. A series of sufficient conditions are established for all solutions of the equations to be oscillatory, and some of the conditions are sharp.