A projective criterion to the coordinate partitioning method for multibody dynamics

Summary The paper discusses some developments in the coordinate partitioning method for the dynamic analysis of constrained/closed-loop multibody systems. First, the method is reformulated to a more compact form. Then, a simple and reliable projective criterion for choosing the best coordinates from the redundant ones is proposed, and some advantages are pointed out that may arise in the method by applying inverse kinematics algorithms. Finally, the problem of determination ofphysical reactions of constraints and closing conditions is discussed. A four-bar linkage mechanism serves for an illustration of some aspects of the paper.

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Ein Projektionskriterium zur Koordinatenwahl bei Mehrkörpersystemen mit kinematischen Schleifen

Übersicht Bei der Simulation der Bewegunsgleichungen von Mehrkörpersystemen mit kinematischen Schleifen in Minimalform stellt sich die Frage nach der Wahl günstiger verallgemeinerter Koordinaten. Hierfür wird ein Projektionskriterium vorgeschlagen, welches die Trennung der systembeschreibenden redundanten Koordinaten in die verallgemeinerten und davon abhängige Koordinaten gestattet. Durch Anwendung eines Verfahrens zur Rückwärtstransformation der kinematischen Beschreibung lassen sich in diesen explizite Schließbedingungen formulieren, was sich bei der Simulation vorteilhaft auswirkt; diese kann ohne Verletzung der Schließbedingungen erfolgen. Es wird auch gezeigt, wie auch bei Verwendung verallgemeinerter Koordinatenphysikalisch interpretierbare Reaktionen ermittelt werden können. Als Anwendungsbeispiel dient ein ebenes Viergelenk.

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On leave from the Department of Mechanics, Technical University of Radom, ul. Malczewskiego 29, 26-600 Radom, Poland     

Intercalated smectic-A structures in a new class of laterally branched substances

X-ray, DSC and optical studies of a new class of substances with aromatic rings in the lateral branches are reported. The thermal behaviour of the substances is discussed. The X-ray measurements lead to a structural model of the SA phases consisting of layer structures with intercalating molecules.     

Particularities of the dose distribution in irradiated plastic tubing

This paper presents the results of an experimental study undertaken on the irradiation process of polyethylene tubing in an electron beam. Isodoses of distribution through material thickness in case of irradiation in one or two irradiation directions have been analyzed.     

Use of the Apparent Content Curves for the spectrophotometric identification of substances: identification of amphetamines

The possibility of identification of substances which have similar spectral behaviour by means of Apparent Content Curves has been studied. This study is carried out with absorption, excitation and emission spectra of several amphetamines of widespread pharmaceutical use. Results obtained show that amphetamine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, epinephrine, dopamine and methoxyamphetamine can be identified with a probability of >95%.     

Raman spectroscopy of carbon fibres

Investigations of coated carbon fibres are reported using Raman spectroscopy. Relationships between different process parameters (for example precursor concentration, reactor temperature and various precursors) and the resulting types of carbon fibres are discussed.     

Comparison of four quantification methods for the determination of PCB in transformer oils

The analysis of PCB in transformer oils has been achieved with three HRGC/ECD based methods, proposed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC/TC 10), by the Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN/TC 19/WG 22) and by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN 51 527). The same clean-up, described in the CEN/TC 19/WG 22, has been used for all the samples, allowing a comparison of the quantification procedure only. The total chlorine content has also been determined with X-ray fluorescence. These different methods of quantification are compared and their application for legislative purposes is discussed.Dedicated to Professor Dr Dieter Klockow on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Structural changes in discotic samples during transition from crystal to discotic mesophase as revealed by electron microscopy and diffraction

Classical methods of structural analysis cannot be applied to liquid crystals because higher order reflections disappear during the transition from crystal to liquid crystal due to the reduction in long range orientational and translational correlations. However, in order to relate physical properties to the molecular architecture, it is essential to have information about molecular positions and orientations in the crystalline state as well as in the liquid crystalline state. In this work, the transition from crystalline to liquid crystalline phase is carefully monitored and the relationship between the original lattice and the new molecular positions found using electron diffraction. In addition to this, a new high resolution electron-microscopic technique is described in which the positions of molecules in the crystalline and the quenched discotic phase are directly imaged and the defects observed in the crystalline and LC phase compared and quantitatively analysed.     

Stressed states in domain switching of ferroelectric liquid crystal devices

In this paper we show that the director profile of a low pre-tilt surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal passes through quasi-static stressed states during domain switching under direct drive conditions. Using polarized stroboscopic microscopy, we have observed two quasi-static transmission levels during a domain switching transition from dark to light. This is a result of the directors reorienting into stressed profiles both before and after the chevron interface has switched. By modelling the interaction between the elastic forces and the torque from the applied field, we have determined these voltage dependent director profiles and, by calculating their corresponding transmissivities, have shown very good agreement with the experimentally observed values.     

High pressure differential thermal analysis of nematic compounds with different molecular shapes

By means of high pressure differential thermal analysis we measured the pressure/temperature phase diagrams of several nematic compounds with different molecular structures. Using pressures up to about 500 M Pa we found strongly nonlinear clearing curves. This behaviour is interpreted as changes from 'weak' intermolecular potentials to 'hard' potentials, or using thermodynarmic arguments, strong pressure dependence of the volume discontinuity at the clearing transitions.