The modeling and analysis of an elastic mechanism with clearances

Abstract

The classical approach for the analysis of linkages has been to assume rigid elements during operation. As the operational speeds of mechanisms increase, this assumption creates larger errors in the analysis. Thus a better model of a machine that considers elastic deformations will aid in more efficient design as well as provide improved accuracy and performance. This thesis presents a simulation for the dynamic response of an elastic link model with three clearances. The simulation has been developed for an automobile, cam actuated valve train. The computer program is coded in FORTRAN IV, for an IBM-360 computer and is included as a portion of this work. The capability to visually observe the dynamic action of the model is included by a graphic display routine. This routine is implemented in SDS FORTRAN IV for a SDS-9300 computer interfaced with an ADAGE Graphic Display Terminal, Model 10. Sample problems for various cam speeds of interest are included utilizing graphs and photos from the graphic display.