Resonance Capture in a Three Degree-of-Freedom Mechanical System

We study the phenomena of resonance capture in a three degree-of-freedom dynamical system modeling the dynamics of an unbalanced rotor, subject to a small constant torque, supported by orthogonal, linearly elastic supports, which is constrained to move in the plane. In the physical system the resonance exists between translational motions of the frame and the angular velocity of the unbalanced rotor. These equations, valid in the neighborhood of the resonance, possess a small parameter which is related to the imbalance. In the limit 0, the unperturbed system possesses a homoclinic orbit which separates bounded periodic motion corresponding to resonant solutions from unbounded motion which corresponds to solutions passing through the resonance. Using a generalized Melnikov integral, we characterize the splitting distance between the invariant manifolds which govern capture and escape from resonance for 0. It is shown that as certain slowly varying parameters evolve, the separation distance alternates sign, indicating that both capture into, and escape from resonance occur. We find that although a measurable set of initial conditions enter into a sustained resonance, as the system further evolves the orientation of the manifolds reverses and many of these captured solutions will subsequently escape.