Bifurcations of the relative equilibria of a gyrostat satellite for a special case of the alignment of its gyrostatic moment

The bifurcations of the equilibria of a gyrostat satellite with a centre of mass moving uniformly in a circular Kepler orbit around an attracting centre are investigated. It is assumed that the axis of rotation of a statically and dynamically balanced flywheel rotating at a constant relative angular velocity is fixed in the principal central plane of inertia of the gyrostat containing the axis of its mean moment of inertia and that it is not collinear with any principal central axis of inertia of the system. The problem is solved in a direct formulation, that is, the whole set of equilibria with respect to the orbital system of coordinates of the gyrostat satellite is determined using the given moments of inertia, the value of the gyroscopic moment and the direction cosines of the axis of rotation of the flywheel and the changes in this set are investigated as a function of the bifurcation parameter, that is, the magnitude of the gyrostatic moment of the system. A parametric analysis of the relative equilibria of the three possible classes of equilibria for a system in a circular orbit in a central Newtonian force field is carried out using computer algebra facilities.     

Stabilization of the non-trivial relative equilibria of a gyrostat with an elastic element in a circular orbit

The motion of a gyrostat, regarded as a rigid body, in a circular Kepler orbit in a central Newtonian force field is investigated in a limited formulation. A uniformly rotating statically and dynamically balanced flywheel is situated in the rigid body. A uniform elastic element, which, during the motion of the system, is subjected to small deformations, is rigidly connected to the rigid body-gyrostat body. The problem is discretized without truncating the corresponding infinite series, based on a modal analysis or using a certain specified system of functions, for example, of the assumed forms of the oscillations, which depend on the spatial coordinates and which satisfy appropriate boundary-value problems of the linear theory of elasticity. The elastic element is specified in more detail (a rod, plate, etc.), as well as its mass and stiffness characteristics and the form of the fastening, and the choice of the system of functions is determined. Non-trivial relative equilibria of the system (the state of rest with respect to an orbital system of coordinates when the elastic element is deformed) is sought approximately on the basis of a converging iteration method, described previously. It is shown, using Routh's theorem, that by an appropriate choice of the gyrostatic moment and when certain conditions, imposed on the system parameters are satisfied, one can stabilize these equilibria (ensure that they are stable).     

The steady motions of a satellite with a two-degree-of-freedom powered gyroscope in a central gravitational field and their stability

The positions of relative equilibrium of a satellite carrying a two-degree-of-freedom powered gyroscope, in the axes of the framework of which only dissipative forces can act, are investigated within the limits of a restricted circular problem. For the case when the “satellite - gyroscope” system possesses the property of a gyrostat and the axis of the gyroscope frame is directed parallel to one of the principal central axes of inertia of the satellite, all the equilibrium positions are found as a function of the magnitude of the angular momentum of the rotor. It is established that the minimum number of equilibrium positions is equal to 32 and, in certain ranges of values of the system parameters, it can reach 80. All the positions satisfying the sufficient conditions for stability are also determined. The number of them is either equal to 4 or 8 depending on the values of the system parameters.     

On the Stability of a Class of Permanent Rotations of a Heavy Asymmetric Gyrostat

We consider the motion of an asymmetric gyrostat under the attraction of a uniform Newtonian field. It is supposed that the center of mass lies along one of the principal axes of inertia, while a rotor spins around a different axis of inertia. For this problem, we obtain the possible permanent rotations, that is, the equilibria of the system. The Lyapunov stability of these permanent rotations is analyzed by means of the Energy–Casimir method and necessary and sufficient conditions are derived, proving that there exist permanent stable rotations when the gyrostat is oriented in any direction of the space. The geometry of the gyrostat and the value of the gyrostatic momentum are relevant in order to get stable permanent rotations. Moreover, it seems that the necessary conditions are also sufficient, but this fact can only be proved partially.     

The asymptotic properties of the motions of satellites in a central field due to internal dissipation

A satellite in the form of a system of bodies that does not have the property of a gyrostat in the general case is considered. An algorithm for determining all the equilibrium configurations of the system that correspond to steady motions in a central gravitational field and an algorithm for analysing their stability are given. A method based on Routh's first theorem is used to investigate the asymptotic stability of the steady motions in the unconstrained problem. Three effects caused by internal dissipation are established in a model example: stabilization of the satellites in a neighbourhood of rotations about a normal to the orbital plane, which is codirectional with the axis of the largest moment of inertia, evolution of elliptic orbits into circular orbits, and capture of the satellites in resonant oscillatory modes of motion.     

Dynamics of an axisymmetric gyrostat satellite. Equilibrium positions and their stability

The dynamics of an axisymmetric gyrostat satellite in a circular orbit in the central Newtonian force field is investigated. All the equilibrium positions of the gyrostat satellite in the orbital system of coordinates are determined, and the conditions for their existence are analysed. All the bifurcation values of the system parameters at which the number of equilibrium positions changes are found. It is shown that, depending on the values of the parameters of the problem, the number of equilibrium positions of a gyrostat satellite can be 8, 12 or 16. The evolution of regions where the sufficient conditions for stability of the equilibrium positions hold is investigated.     

Non-linear oscillations of a 1:1 resonance Hamiltonian system

The non-linear oscillations of an autonomous two-degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian system in the neighbourhood of its stable equilibrium position are considered. It is assumed that the Hamilton function is sign-definite in the neighbourhood of the equilibrium position and that the values of the frequencies of its linear oscillations are equal or close to one another (1:1 resonance). The investigation is carried out using the example of the problem of the motion of a dynamically symmetrical rigid body (satellite) about its centre of mass in a circular orbit in a central Newtonian gravitational field. In this problem there is relative equilibrium of the rigid body in the orbital system of coordinates, for which its axis of dynamic symmetry is directed along the velocity vector of the centre of mass. Resonance occurs when the ratio of the polar and equatorial principal central moments of inertia is equal to 4/3 or is close to it. The problem of the existence, bifurcation and orbital stability of the periodic motions of a rigid body generated from its relative equilibrium is solved. Some aspects of the existence of quasiperiodic motions are also considered.     

A new solution of the equilibrium equations of a system of bodies with elastic joints

Different ways of representing the elastic moments are proposed, which can be used for the finite-dimensional modelling of rod systems using a system of n axisymmetric solids, connected by elastic spherical joints. Using the example of a closed plane rod, possible states of equilibrium of the finite-dimensional model of the rod are analysed for different methods of specifying the elastic torques at the joints. The case when the rod axis has the form of a “figure of eight”, which is modelled by a system of six axisymmetric solids with a relative torsion angle that depends on the bending, is investigated in detail.     

Solvability of the Stokes Immersed Boundary Problem in Two Dimensions

We study coupled motion of a 1-D closed elastic string immersed in a 2-D Stokes flow, known as the Stokes immersed boundary problem in two dimensions. Using the fundamental solution of the Stokes equation and the Lagrangian coordinate of the string, we write the problem into a contour dynamic formulation, which is a nonlinear nonlocal equation solely keeping track of evolution of the string configuration. We prove existence and uniqueness of local-in-time solution starting from an arbitrary initial configuration that is an H^5/2-function in the Lagrangian coordinate satisfying the so-called well-stretched assumption. We also prove that when the initial string configuration is sufficiently close to an equilibrium, which is an evenly parametrized circular configuration, then a global-in-time solution uniquely exists and it will converge to an equilibrium configuration exponentially as t → + ∞. The technique in this paper may also apply to the Stokes immersed boundary problem in three dimensions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Non-linear oscillations of a satellite at 1:1:1 resonance

The motion of a satellite about its centre of mass in a central Newtonian gravitational field is investigated. The satellite is considered to be a dynamically symmetrical rigid body. It is assumed that the ratio of the polar and equatorial principal central moments of inertia of the satellite is 4/3, or close to this. The orbit of the centre of mass is elliptic, and the orbit eccentricity is assumed to be small. In the limit case, when the orbit of the centre of mass is circular, a steady motion exists (corresponding to relative equilibrium of the satellite in the orbital system of coordinates) in which the axis of dynamic symmetry is directed along the velocity vector of the centre of mass of the satellite; here, the frequencies of the small linear oscillations of the axis of symmetry are equal or close to one another. But in an elliptic orbit of small eccentricity, multiple 1:1:1 resonance occurs in this case, as the oscillation frequencies mentioned are equal or close to the frequency of motion of the centre of mass of the satellite in orbit. The non-linear problem of the existence, bifurcations and stability of periodic motions of the satellite with a period equal to the rotation period of its centre of mass in orbit is investigated.     

The steady motions of gyrostats with equal moments of inertia in a central force field

The problem of the motion of a gyroscope in a central force field is considered. It is assumed that the principal central moments of inertia of the gyrostat are equal to one another, while the centre of mass moves in a circular orbit in a plane passing through the attracting centre. The steady motions of the gyrostat and their stability are investigated. The case when the mass distribution allows of the symmetry group of a tetrahedron is considered as an example.     

The relative equilibria of a tethered gyrostat in a central Newtonian field

The motion of an orbital tether system comprising a massive body and a gyrostat of small mass attached to it by a non-extensible weightless tether is examined. The body performs unperturbed motion in a Kepler orbit. There are several different equilibria of the system relative to a uniformly rotating system of coordinates. These equilibria are interpreted geometrically using Mohr circles. Despite being the simplest example of an orbital tether system with a gyrostat, it exhibits a wealth of dynamic properties. There are also more complex orbital tether systems which contain more than one gyrostat [1].     

Asymptotically uniform motions of a gyrostat about an inclined axis under potential and gyroscopic forces

The sufficient conditions for asymptotically uniform motions about an inclined axis to exist in the problem of the motion of a gyrostat under potential and gyroscopic forces are obtained using Lyapunov's first method.     

A Study of the Motions of an Autonomous Hamiltonian System at a 1:1 Resonance

We examine the motions of an autonomous Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom in a neighborhood of an equilibrium point at a 1:1 resonance. It is assumed that the matrix of linearized equations of perturbed motion is reduced to diagonal form and the equilibrium is linearly stable. As an illustration, we consider the problem of the motion of a dynamically symmetric rigid body (satellite) relative to its center of mass in a central Newtonian gravitational field on a circular orbit in a neighborhood of cylindrical precession. The abovementioned resonance case takes place for parameter values corresponding to the spherical symmetry of the body, for which the angular velocity of proper rotation has the same value and direction as the angular velocity of orbital motion of the radius vector of the center of mass. For parameter values close to the resonance point, the problem of the existence, bifurcations and orbital stability of periodic rigid body motions arising from a corresponding relative equilibrium of the reduced system is solved and issues concerning the existence of conditionally periodic motions are discussed.     

Rigid–flexible coupling dynamic analysis on a mass attached to a rotating flexible rod

A rigid–flexible coupling dynamic analysis is presented where a mass is attached to a massless flexible rod which rotates about an axis. The rod is limited to small deformation so that the mass is constrained to move in the plane of rotation. A strongly nonlinear model of the system is established based on the couplings between the elastic deflections of the mass and rigid rotation, in which the mass deflection and rigid rotation are both treated as unknown variables. The additional inertia forces on the mass and coupling mechanism are elucidated in the system model. In the case of varied but prescribed rigid rotation, a set of time-varying differential equations governing mass motion is obtained. The trajectories of mass motion are examined for the spin-up and spin-down rotation. Under constant rigid rotation, a set of ordinary differential equations is further attained, and the issues with dynamic frequencies and critical angular velocity of the system are analyzed. The effects of the centrifugal, Coriolis and tangential inertia forces on the dynamic responses are discussed.     

Modeling of chaotic motion of gyrostats in resistant environment on the base of dynamical systems with strange attractors

A chaotic motion of gyrostats in resistant environment is considered with the help of well known dynamical systems with strange attractors: Lorenz, Rössler, Newton–Leipnik and Sprott systems. Links between mathematical models of gyrostats and dynamical systems with strange attractors are established. Power spectrum of fast Fourier transformation, gyrostat longitudinal axis vector hodograph and Lyapunov exponents are find. These numerical techniques show chaotic behavior of motion corresponding to strange attractor in angular velocities phase space. Cases for perturbed gyrostat motion with variable periodical inertia moments and with periodical internal rotor relative angular moment are considered; for some cases Poincaré sections areobtained.     

The dual nature of the transverse vibrations of an elastic rod

The transverse vibrations of an elastic rod, to one of which displacements are applied while the other end is free, are investigated. It is assumed that the propagation velocity of the perturbations in the rod is finite. The unperturbed part performed rotational motion around the centre line. The angle of rotation is expressed by the angle of curvature of the centre line of the perturbed part of the rod. Two types of elastic vibrations are obtained: (1) the rod vibrates elastically due to displacements applied at the end, and (2) when performing rotational motion elastic vibrations and additional forces occur in the rod due to elasticity [1].     

Self-propulsion of a body with rigid surface and variable coefficient of lift in a perfect fluid

We study the system of a 2D rigid body moving in an unbounded volume of incompressible, vortex-free perfect fluid which is at rest at infinity. The body is equipped with a gyrostat and a so-called Flettner rotor. Due to the latter the body is subject to a lifting force (Magnus effect). The rotational velocities of the gyrostat and the rotor are assumed to be known functions of time (control inputs). The equations of motion are presented in the form of the Kirchhoff equations. The integrals of motion are given in the case of piecewise continuous control. Using these integrals we obtain a (reduced) system of first-order differential equations on the configuration space. Then an optimal control problem for several types of the inputs is solved using genetic algorithms.     

Investigation on a rotating FGPM circular disk under a coupled hygrothermal field

In this paper, the distributions of the temperature, moisture, displacement and stress of a functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM) circular disk rotating around its axis at a constant angular velocity under a coupled hygrothermal field are presented by a numerical method. The material properties of the FGPM circular disk are assumed to vary along the radial coordinate exponentially. First, the coupled hygrothermal field along the radius of a rotating circular disk is achieved by solving the coupled hygrothermal equations, and then the dynamic equilibrium is solved by utilizing the finite difference method. Finally, numerical results show the effects of functionally graded index, inner radius, angular speed and hygrothermal index on the hygrothermal behaviors of the FGPM circular disk. The results can be useful for the optimal design of rotating FGPM circular disks under a coupled hygrothermal field.     

The orbital motion of a tetrahedral gyrostat

The orbital motion of a gyrostat whose mass distribution admits of the symmetry group of a regular tetrahedron is examined. The equations of motion and their first integrals are presented. The order of the equations of motion is reduced using a Routh–Lyapunov approach. The reduced potential and the equations for its critical points are presented. Some solutions of these equations are indicated, and a mechanical interpretation of the steady motions corresponding to them is given. Equations of motion similar to the well known equations of relative motion of a gyrostat in an elliptical orbit in the satellite approximation are derived assuming that the dimensions of the body are small compared with its distance from the attracting centre. A three-dimensional analogue of Beletskii's equation that relies on the use of the true anomaly as the independent variable is presented. Three classes of steady configurations are determined by Routh's method in the case of a circular orbit, and the conditions for their stability are investigated.