Skip to main content
Advertisement
Browse Subject Areas
?

Click through the PLOS taxonomy to find articles in your field.

For more information about PLOS Subject Areas, click here.

  • Loading metrics

Synchronization of Two Homodromy Rotors Installed on a Double Vibro-Body in a Coupling Vibration System

  • Pan Fang,

    Affiliation School of Mechanical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, China

  • Yongjun Hou ,

    yongjunhou@126.com

    Affiliation School of Mechanical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, China

  • Yanghai Nan

    Affiliation Department of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussel, Belgium

Abstract

A new mechanism is proposed to implement synchronization of the two unbalanced rotors in a vibration system, which consists of a double vibro-body, two induction motors and spring foundations. The coupling relationship between the vibro-bodies is ascertained with the Laplace transformation method for the dynamics equation of the system obtained with the Lagrange’s equation. An analytical approach, the average method of modified small parameters, is employed to study the synchronization characteristics between the two unbalanced rotors, which is converted into that of existence and the stability of zero solutions for the non-dimensional differential equations of the angular velocity disturbance parameters. By assuming the disturbance parameters that infinitely approach to zero, the synchronization condition for the two rotors is obtained. It indicated that the absolute value of the residual torque between the two motors should be equal to or less than the maximum of their coupling torques. Meanwhile, the stability criterion of synchronization is derived with the Routh-Hurwitz method, and the region of the stable phase difference is confirmed. At last, computer simulations are preformed to verify the correctness of the approximate solution of the theoretical computation for the stable phase difference between the two unbalanced rotors, and the results of theoretical computation is in accordance with that of computer simulations. To sum up, only the parameters of the vibration system satisfy the synchronization condition and the stability criterion of the synchronization, the two unbalanced rotors can implement the synchronization operation.

Introduction

The word “synchronization” is often encountered in both scientific and everyday language. Our surroundings are full of synchronization phenomenon, which is considered as an adjustment of rhythms of oscillating objects due to their internal weak couplings. For examples: violinists play in unison; insects in a population emit acoustic or light pulses with a common rate; birds in a flock flap their wings simultaneously; the heart of a rapidly galloping horse contracts once per locomotory cycle. Huygens firstly described the notion of the synchronization by experiments that two pendulum clocks hung on a common support in 1665 [1]. Pol showed that the frequency of a generator can be entrained, or synchronized, by a weak external signal of a slightly different frequency in 1920 [2]. In the middle of the nineteenth century, Rayleigh [3] described the interesting phenomenon of synchronization in acoustical systems. The first English monograph related to the synchronization problems is written by Blekhman [4]; he primarily addressed mechanical oscillators, pendulum clocks in particular, systems with rotating elements, technological equipment, but also some electronic and quantum generator; many years later, he also investigated controlled synchronization of two vibroactuators based on a speed-gradient[5, 6]. Pikovsky issued his monograph that consider synchronization as a universal concept in nonlinear sciences and review classical results on the synchronization of periodic oscillators [7]. Zhang investigated the synchronization problem for a class of discrete-time complex-valued neural networks with time-varying delays [8]. Nowadays, the researchers mainly focus synchronization on physical, biological, chemical and social systems, etc. In physical systems, the most representatives are synchronization of complex networks and mechanical systems. For the synchronization of complex networks, Arenas reported the advances in the comprehension of synchronization phenomena when oscillating elements are constrained to interact in a complex network topology [9]. How the feedback from dynamical clusters can shape the network connection weights and an adaptive network spontaneously forms scale-free structure were explored by Yuan Wang[10, 11]. For the synchronization of pendulum clocks, Senator developed synchronization of two coupled, similarly sized, escapement-driven pendulum clocks [12]. Jovanovic studied two models of connected pendulum clocks synchronizing their oscillations, a phenomenon originally observed by Huygens, with the Poincare´ method, and they found that the in-phase linear mode damps out faster than the anti-phase mode [13]. Koluda considered two and multiple self-excited double pendula hanging from a horizontal beam with the energy balanced method, on which they found how the energy is transferred between the pendula via the oscillating beam allowing the pendula’ synchronization[1416]. For synchronization of multiple coupling rotors, Wen employed the average method to study synchronization and stability of multiple unbalanced rotors hung on a vibro-body in vibration systems, and applied such synchronization theory to invent many synchronization machines [17]. Sperling presented analytical and numerical investigations of a two-plane automatic balancing device for equilibration of rigid-rotor unbalance [18]. Balthazar examined self-synchronization of four non-ideal exciters in non-linear vibration system via numerical simulations [19, 20]. Djanan explored the condition for which three motors working on a same plate can enter into synchronization with the phase difference depending on the physical characteristics of the motors and the plate, and it is indicated that one can obtain a reduction of vibration when the motors are different and rotates in opposite directions [21]. Zhao proposed the average method of modified small parameters to investigate the synchronization of more than two exciters in far vibration systems, which immensely simplify the process for solving the theory approximation solution [2228]. Later, Fang applied Zhao’s method to investigate the self-synchronization of two homodromy rotors coupled with a pendulum rod in a far-resonant vibration system [29].

The above-mentioned research of the mechanical systems is mainly synchronization of the pendula or the rotors directly installed on a movable beam or vibro-body. In this paper, we consider the synchronization and the synchronization stability of two homodromy unbalanced rotors installed on two vibro-bodies, respectively. The synchronization implementation of the two rotors relies on the coupling springs between vibro-body 1 and 2. The performed approximate analytical analysis, building on the original work of Zhao Chunyu, allows deriving the synchronization condition and stability criterion and explaining the synchronization discipline with considering diversity features of the vibration system. Finally, some numerical simulations are performed to verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis.

This paper is organized as follows. The second section describes the considered model and dynamics equations of the vibration system. The third section we explain our method to derive the synchronization condition and the synchronization stability criterion of the system. The fourth section presents the results of our numerical simulations for the theoretical approximate solutions. The fifth section gives some computer simulations to verify our theoretical solutions. Finally, we summarize our results in the last section.

Model description

Fig 1 shows the dynamics model of the considered vibration system, which consists of two rigid vibro-bodies (vibro-body 1 and vibro-body 2), on which two induction motor are installed, respectively. Each of the vibro-body is supported on an elastic foundation consisting of four springs symmetrically installed. Rigid vibro-body 1 is connected with vibro-body 2 by some stronger stiffness springs (kx1, ky1, kψ1), and vibro-body 1 is connected a fix foundation with some weaker stiffness springs (kx2, ky2, kψ2). The two homodromy unbalanced rotors, driven separately by two induction motors, are installed in the vibro-bodies with the equal distance l from the rotation point of the rotor to the mass center of the vibro-body. During the starting process, three motors are supplied with the electric source at same time. The mass centers of the rigid vibro-body 1 and 2 are o1 and o2, respectively. As illustrated in Fig 1(b), six reference frames of the system can be assigned as follows: the fixed frames o1x1y1 and o2x2y2; the non-rotating moving frames and , that undergoes the translation motion while remaining parallel to o1x1y1 and o2x2y2, respectively; the rotating frames and , that dedicates the rotation motion around points and , respectively. The six reference frames of the vibro-bodies separately coincide with each other when the system is in the static equilibrium state.

thumbnail
Fig 1. The model of the vibration system.

(a) dynamic model of the double vibro-body system with two induction motors rotating in the same direction, (b) the reference frame system.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.g001

Since the two vibro-bodies are supported by two elastic foundations, it exhibits six degrees of freedom. The mass center coordinates of vibro-bodies x1, x2, y1 and y2, as well as the rotation coordinates ψ1 and ψ2, are set as the independent coordinates. The unbalanced rotors rotate about their own spin axes, which are denoted by φ1 and φ2, respectively.

In reference frame o˝x˝y˝, the coordinates of each exciter, , can be described by (1)

In reference frame o´x´y´, the coordinates of each exciter, , can be expressed by (2)

In reference frame oxy, the coordinates of each exciter, Φi, can be written by (3)

The kinetic energy of the vibration system can be expressed as (4)

During the operation process of the vibration system, the position vector of the point of springs connected to vibration body 2 can be written in the following form (5) Where Φ02 = [x1,y1]T, Φk021 = [-lx2,0]T, Φk022 = [0,ly2]T, Φk023 = [lx2,0]T and Φk024 = [0,ly2]T.

The position vector of the point of springs connected to vibration body 1 can be expressed as (6) Where Φ01 = [x1,y1]T, Φk011 = [-lx2,0]T, Φk012 = [0,ly2]T, Φk013 = [lx2,0]T and Φk014 = [0,ly2]T.

The potential energy of the system can be computed as (7)

The viscous dissipation function of the vibration system can be obtained (8)

The dynamics equation of the system can be computed by the application of the Lagrange’s equation (9)

If q = [x1,x2,y1,y2,ψ1,ψ2,φ1,φ2]T is chosen as the generalized coordinates, the generalized force are: Qxi = Qyi = Qψi = 0, Qφi = Tei (i = 1,2). As miMi and ψi⪡ 1 in the system, the inertia coupling stemming from asymmetry of the two rotors can be neglected. Substituting Eqs (4), (7) and (8) into Eq (9), we can yield the dynamic equation of the vibration system as the following form: (10)

Method description

Coupling characteristics between the two vibro-bodies

As shown in Fig 1, the phase angular of the rotors are defined as follows: (11) Assuming that the average value of the angular velocity of the two exciters over time is ωm, and the instantaneous change coefficients of and are ε1 and ε2 (i.e.,) when the two unbalanced rotors operate in the synchronous state, respectively. So, the velocity of the phase angular can be expressed as [22] (12) Moreover, the accelerations of the phase angular can be written as (13)

Because the motion and the load torque of the vibration system are periodical, the angular velocities of the two rotors change periodically. If the two rotors excited by two induction motors operating synchronously, the average values of their instantaneous change coefficients of the angular velocities and the angular accelerations over one period must be zero, i.e., ,, and . In the case, the change of angular velocities of the two unbalanced rotors has little influence on the responses of the whole system. According to Eq (10), the first six equations of the equation are coupling equations with Multi-DOF. To obtain their steady response solutions we can use the Laplace transformation method to the equations considering the initial conditions. The steady responses of the DOFs can be expressed as (14) In Eq (14), μx11, μx12, μx21 and μx22 represent the coupling (transfer) coefficients in the x-direction; μy11, μy12, μy21 and μy22 represent the coupling coefficients in the y-direction; μψ11, μψ12, μψ21 and μψ22 represent the coupling coefficients in the ψ-direction. These coupling coefficients and mathematical symbols in Eq (14) are listed Appendix A in S1 File, by which we can estimate the value of the coupling coefficients between the two vibro-bodies. They are dependent on the stiffness coefficients and the damping coefficients of the springs. The stronger ability of the coupling between the bodies, the larger the value of the coupling coefficients is.

Fig 2 describes the relation of the coupling coefficients between two vibration bodies for the different value of ni1 and ni2. Table 1 shows the values of the transfer coefficients of some special points in Fig 2. It can be seen that μi11μi21 and μi12μi22 when the value of parameters ni2 is different. The frequency ratio ni1 in region ni1 ∈ (0,1) is proportional to parameters μi12 and μi22, and inversely proportional μi11 and μi21. The frequency ratio ni1 in region ni1 ∈ (1,1.5) is proportional to parameters μi11, μi12, μi21 and μi22. The frequency ratio ni1 in region ni1 ∈ (1.5,5)is proportional to parameters μi11 and μi21, and inversely proportional to parameters μi12 and μi22. According to the value of the coupling coefficients we can define the coupling type of the vibration system. Obviously, three kinds of the coupling type can be described in following:

  1. Case 1: the near-resonance system coupled with the far-resonance system (NVS-FVS) considering ni1 ∈ (0,1) and ni2 = 4.
  2. Case 2: the resonance system coupled with the far-resonance vibration system (RVS-FVS) considering ni1 ∈ (1,2) and ni2 = 4.
  3. Case 3: the far-resonance system coupled with the far-resonance system (FVS-FVS) considering ni1 ∈ (2,5) and ni2 = 4.

thumbnail
Table 1. The values of the transfer coefficients for ξi1 = ξi2 = 0.075.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.t001

thumbnail
Fig 2. The coupling coefficients between the two vibration bodies for ξi1 = ξi2 = 0.075.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.g002

In this paper, rigid vibro-body 1 is connected with vibro-body 2 by the stronger stiffness springs, and vibro-body 1 is connected a fix foundation with the weaker stiffness spring. Therefore, in the following theoretical analysis, we will chose case 1 to discuss the synchronization and stability of the system, and the value of the coupling coefficients should be less than or equal to 1.

Coupling characteristics between the two rotors

Differentiating the six formulas in Eq (14) with respect to time t by the chain rule, we can obtain and with neglecting the terms larger than one order of parameters ε1 and ε2. Substituting them into the last two formulas of Eq (10) and integrating them over φ = 2π, respectively, we can obtain: (15) with (16) where Parameters Wc1, Wc2, , , Ws1, Ws2, and can be found Appendix B in S1 File. Compared with the change value of angular velocities of the two rotors, that of α, ε1, ε2, and can be considered small parameters (i.e., ε1 ⪡ 1, ε2 ⪡ 1, and ). During the above-mentioned integration, the value of parameters α, ε1, ε2, and are assumed to be the average values of their integration ,, , and , respectively [23]. In addition, compared with parameters Wc1, Wc2, and , the other parameters Ws1, Ws2, and are very small in the vibration system as the value of the damping ratio coefficients is very small. Hence parameters Ws1, Ws2, and can be ignored in the in the expressions of , χ12, and χ21.

According to Ref. [22], in Eq (15) and can be expressed as (17) Where Te01 and Te02 are the electromagnetic torques of the two induction motors rotating at the angular velocity of ωm, ke1 and ke2 are the angular stiffness of the two motors.

Firstly adding the two formulas of Eq (15) as the first row, then subtracting the two formulas of Eq (15) as the second row, next substituting Eqs (16) and (17) into Eq (15), introducing the following non-dimensional parameters ρ1 = 1+Wc1/2, ρ2 = η+Wc2/2, and into the above-mention equations, Eq (15) can be rewritten as the matrix form: (18) where In Eq (18), symbol A is considered as the inertia moments of the two unbalanced rotors and defined as the inertia coupling matrix. Symbol B is considered as the stiffness of angular velocities of the two unbalanced rotors and defined as the stiffness matrix. Symbol C is the matrix related to the electromagnetic torque and the load torque of the induction motors. Therefore, eq (18), the non-dimensional coupling equation, describes the dynamic coupling characteristics of the two unbalanced rotors.

Condition of implementing synchronization

When the two rotors synchronously rotate in the vibration system, we have , and c = 0. According to the above analysis for the coupling characteristics between the two vibro-bodies (μi11μi21, μi12μi22 μi12μi11and μi22 > μi21 in NVS-FVS), we can consider that ,, θc1θc2θc and θs1θs2θs according to Appendix B in S1 File. Moreover, we assume that the values of the damping coefficient of the springs is equal each other because of the identical and small damping of the springs in NVS-FVS. Thus, we have rx11rx12, ry11ry12 and rψ11rψ12. Substituting them into Eq (18) and rearranging them, we have (19) (20) Eq (19) is the equation of torque balance of the vibration system in the synchronous state, which serves to find the approximation of angular velocity ωm. Moreover, the second formula of Eq (20) is difference equation of the balanced torque of the two rotors in the synchronous state, which serves to determine the approximation of stable phase difference 2α.

Rewriting Eq (20), we obtain (21) where TC is the torque of synchronization capture; TD is the difference between the residual electromagnetic torques of the two induction motors; TR1 and TR2 are the residual electromagnetic of induction motor 1 and 2, respectively.

Since , the synchronization condition of the vibration system can be expressed as (22)

It is indicated that the torque of synchronization capture should be equal or greater than the absolute value of the difference between the residual electromagnetic torques of the two induction motors for the synchronization implementation of the system.

Synchronization stability of the rotors

If the system parameters satisfy the condition of implementing synchronization, the stable phase difference and the synchronous angular velocity of the rotors can be solved with the numerical method. In addition, the stability region of the phase difference can be confirmed with the Lyapunov theory. When C = 0, Eq (18) is the generalized system: (23)

Linearizing Eq (23) around with the Taylor expansion, and appending as the third row, the first-order approximate linear equation of the two unbalanced rotors can be obtained (24) with (25) and where . It should be noted that matrices A0 and B0 represent the linearization matrices A and B for and , respectively. Meanwhile, matrices A0 and B0 are the simplification style of matrices A and B considering μi11μi21, μi12μi22,, , θc1θc2θc and θs1θs2θs, and ri11ri12ri21ri22.

Exponential time-dependence of the form ς = u(λt) is now assumed. Inserting it into Eq (24), and solving the determinant equation |ZλI| = 0, we can yield the characteristic equation (26) where a0 = 1,, and .

In the vibration system, the value of parameter is far larger than because the value of the damping ratio (ξni < 0.05)is very small [14]. In the following calculation, we will ignore parameter to simplify H0, H1, H2 and H3 as (27)

If all the roots of Eq (26) have negative real parts, the phase difference of two unbalance rotors is asymptotically stable. According to the Routh-Hurwitz criterion, the asymptotic stability condition of the synchronization state of the two rotors is deduced (28)

Base on Eqs (27) and (28), we can employ the two following hypotheses to discuss the stability region of the synchronization state of the two unbalanced rotors.

Hypothesis (1): If , only conditions or , and satisfied, the asymptotic stability of the synchronization state of the rotors would be implemented.

By ,, κ1 > 0 and κ2 > 0,we have (29)

In addition, by we obtain (30)

Substituting and into , which can be written as (31) Obviously, when κ1 > 0, κ2 > 0, ρ1 > 0, ρ2 > 0 and , we have , and so the asymptotic stability of the synchronization state of the two rotors can be carried out. In the light of parameter larger than zero in Appendix B in S1 File, we have according to Eq (29). Thus, one can see that , from which the region of the stable phase difference is confirmed by parameter θc (i.e., θc1 or θc2 in Appendix B in S1 File).

Hypothesis (2): If , only conditions or ,, are satisfied, the asymptotic stability of the synchronization state of the rotors would be implemented.

By , we have . Moreover, by , and we obtain κ1 < 0, κ2 < 0, β1 > 0, β2 > 0 or κ1 > 0, κ2 > 0, ρ1 < 0, ρ2 < 0. Then by , and we acquire .

Obviously, is less than zero according to Eq (31) when , or ,. Therefore, this is not in accordance with stability condition of hypotheses (2).

Numerical Discussions

Above-mentioned sections have given some theoretical discussions in the simplified form on synchronization problem for the near-resonance vibration system coupled with the far-resonance vibration system. This section will quantitatively discuss the numerical results of the stable phase difference.

Base on the balance of the force moment, the value of rl can be written as (32) If satisfies Eqs (22) and (30), the synchronization of the two unbalance rotors can rotate stably. As shown in Fig 3, rlmax = 7 for η = 1 and rm = 0.02, the value of rl can be confined range from zero to seven in the following discussions.

According to Ref. [22], when an induction motor rotate with the synchronous velocity ωm, its electromagnetic torque and stiffness coefficients of the angular velocity, Te0k and kek (k = 1,2), can be simplified as (33) (34) Where Lmk is the mutual inductance of the kth induction motor; Lsk is stator inductance of the kth induction motor;np is the number of pole pairs of the induction motor; ωs is synchronous electric angular velocity; Rrk is the rotor resistance of the kth induction motor; US0 is the amplitude of the stator voltage vector.

Substituting the above values of these parameters into the Eq (21), we can ascertain the value of the stable phase difference between the two rotors. To guarantee the synchronous operation of the two rotors, TC in Eq (21) should be larger than parameter |TD|. When the two identical motors are employed to drive the two identical unbalanced rotors, we have (35)

Here, we assume that Te01−f1ωm−(Te02−f2ωm)≈0 just for the convenient discussions. Actually, in engineering the difference between the electromagnetic torques of two identical motor is not equal to zero. Eq (22), therefore, can be simplified in the form (36)

According to Eq (36), we can sketch the synchronization regions for the vibration system. Fig 4 shows the region of implementing synchronous rotation between the two unbalanced rotors for the different value of the parameters. These figures are divided into a blue region, a black region, and a red region, respectively. If the value of the parameters of the vibration system locates in the blue region, the value of the stable phase difference between the two unbalanced belongs to the interval of [π/2,3π/2]. If the value of the parameters of the vibration system locates in the black region, the value of the stable phase difference between the two unbalanced belongs to the interval of [−π/2,π/2]. If the value of the parameters of the vibration system locates in the red region, not satisfying the synchronization condition, the two rotors cannot operate synchronously. Fig 4(a) describes the synchronization region in ηrl-plane for β2 = 0°. It can be seen that the system cannot implement synchronization when the value of rl is equal to 1.414, in the case, there are and . By increasing the value of parameter β2, we find that the region of the red color and the black color are shrined. Especially, the black color region is disappeared when the value of parameter β2 approach to 45°. In this case, the value of ac1 and ac2 is less than zero, and so value of the phase difference only located in the interval of [π/2,3π/2]. As a result, it is obviously demonstrated that parameters η and β2 have influence on the synchronization regions of the vibration system.

thumbnail
Fig 4. Synchronization region for the two unbalanced rotors.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.g004

Eq (21) describes the approximate analytical solution for the stable phase difference. Base on the equation and Appendix B in S1 File, we can acquire the approximate value 2α considering the different value of parameter η with the identical coupling coefficients in xi, yi and ψi direction between the two vibro-bodies (i.e. μxij = μyij = μψij, i = 1,2 j = 1,2), as shown in Fig 5. From Fig 5(a)5(d), it can be seen that the value of parameter η has little influence on the value of the phase difference 2α when the parameters of the system satisfy the above-mention synchronization condition and synchronization stability criterion. But dimensionless parameters rl and β2 directly determine the value of 2α: If β2 = 0° and rl<1.414, the phase difference 2α approximately stabilize at −180°(ac<0 in the case); if β2 = 0° and rl<1.414, the phase difference 2α approximately stabilize at 0° (ac>0 in the case). If β2 = 60°, the phase difference 2α gradually increase from −180° with increasing the value of rl (ac>0 in the case). If β2 = 90°, the phase difference 2α always stabilize at −180° irrelevant to the value of rl (ac>0 in the case). According to Appendix A in S1 File, parameter rl is the function of parameters l and lo, and it can be concluded that the value of the phase difference 2α is determined by the installation position of the two induction motors (i.e. parameters l and β2).

thumbnail
Fig 5. The approximate theoretical value of the stable phase difference for the identical coupling coefficients.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.g005

The analysis above imply that parameter η slightly affect the value of the stable phase difference, and here we numerically discuss the value of the phase difference considering the non-identical coupling coefficients with ignoring the variable of parameter η. Fig 6 describes the approximate analytical solution for the stable phase difference the non-identical coupling coefficients in the xi, yi and ψi-direction (i = 1,2.). Comparing with Fig 5, it can be found that the change of value of the non-identical coupling coefficients weakly effect on the value of the stable phase difference. And in the case of β2 = 90°, the value of the phase difference invariably stabilize at −180° irrelevant to the value of the coupling coefficients between the two vibro-bodies.

thumbnail
Fig 6. The approximate theoretical value of the stable phase difference for the non-identical coupling coefficients.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.g006

Sample Validations

Further analyses have been performed by computer simulations to verify our above theoretical solutions, which can be carried out by applying the Runge-Kutaa routine with adaptive stepsize control to the dynamics equations of the proposed Eq (10).

Here, the parameters of the two motors are assumed to be the same (Three-phase squirrel-cage, i.e., Rated power 0.7 Kw, Rated voltage 220 V, Rated frequency 50Hz, Pole pairs 2, Stator resistance 0.56Ω, Rotor resistance 0.54 Ω, Stator inductance 0.1 H, Rotor inductance 0.12H, Mutual inductance 0.13 H, The damping coefficient of shafting 0.04 Nm/ (rad/s)).

The value of the parameters of the vibration system are: m1 = m2 = 5kg, M1 = M2 = 50kg, r = 0.04m, l<0.7m (for rl ∈[0,7]), kx1 = ky1 = 2310kN/m, kψ1 = 231kN m/rad (ni1 = 1.0), kx2 = ky2 = 250kN/m, kψ2 = 25kN m/rad (ni2 = 3), J1 = J2 = 10kg m2, fx1 = fy1 = fx2 = fy2 = 4.85kN s/m, fψ1 = fψ2 = 0.54kN s/m.

Simulation results for η = 1.0, rl = 6 and β2 = 0°

Simulation results for η = 1.0, rl = 6 and β2 = 0° (i.e., m1 = m2 = 5Kg, rm = 0.02m, β1 = 180° and l = 0.8m) as shown in Fig 7. When the two motors are supplied with the electric source at the same time, the angular accelerations of the two motor are approximately equal to each other because the inertia moments of two rotors are identical, as illustrate in Fig 7(a). After a few seconds, the rotational velocity of the two motors approach a steady velocity. In addition, the high frequency vibration of the vibro-bodies is excited and the load torques of the motors on which the displacement of the vibro-body is larger, therefore, that makes the two unbalanced rotors synchronous. To ensure the synchronous rotation of the rotors, the motors should provide the equal electromagnetic torques to overcome the load torques. In the case, the electromagnetic torques of the motors should be identical.

thumbnail
Fig 7. Results for the computer simulation for η = 1.0, rl = 6 and β2 = 0°

. (a) rotational velocities of the two induction motors; (b) velocity difference of the two motors; (c) phase difference between the two unbalanced rotors; (d) electromagnetic torques of the two motors; (e) displacement responses of the vibro-body in the DOFs.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.g007

From Fig 7(a)7(d) it follows that the steady synchronization of the system is implemented at about 2 s. In the synchronization state, the two unbalanced rotors operate with approximate velocity 150 rad/s, which is called the synchronous velocity; the velocity difference ranges from -1 to 1 rad/s; the phase difference 2α stabilized in the vicinity of −3.5°, which is according with the approximate values of the theory analysis, as shown in Fig 5(d); the electromagnetic torques of the two motors stabilized at 8.15 Nm and are identical each other. It should be noted that, in this case, the value of the parameters of the vibration system located in the blue region, as shown in Fig 4(a). The displacement responses of the vibro-bodies in the DOFs are sketched in Fig 7(e). It can be seen that the displacement in x1, x2, y1 and y2-direction is larger than 0.0025 m as the phase difference −3.5° between the rotors leads to the addition of the exciting forces through the coupling springs supporting vibro-body-1. And the displacement amplitude of the vibro-body-1 is slightly larger than the vibro-body 2.

Simulation results for η = 1.0, rl = 0.95 and β2 = 90°

Fig 8 shows simulation results for η = 1.0, rl = 0.95 and β2 = 90° (i.e., m1 = m2 = 5Kg, r = 0.02m, β1 = 90° and l = 0.2m). During the starting few seconds, the angular accelerations of the two motor are also approximately equal to each other. After about 2 s, the two rotors rotate with synchronization velocity 150 rad/s; the velocity difference ranges from -0.5 to 0.5 rad/s; the phase difference 2α stabilized in the vicinity of 180°, which is coincident with the approximate values of the theory analysis, as shown in Fig 5(a); the electromagnetic torques of the two motors stabilized at 5.3Nm and are also identical each other. Fig 8(e) shows displacement responses of the vibro-bodies in the DOFs. It is noted that the displacement in x1, x2, y1 and y2-direction is less than 0.0025 m as the phase difference 180° leads to the offset of the part of the exciting forces through springs supporting vibro-body-1. The displacement amplitude of the vibro-body-1 is slightly smaller than the vibro-body-2.

thumbnail
Fig 8. Results for the computer simulation for η = 1.0, rl = 0.95 and β2 = 90°

. (a) rotational velocities of the two induction motors; (b) velocity difference of the two motors; (c) phase difference between the two unbalanced rotors; (d) electromagnetic torques of the two motors; (e) displacement responses of the vibro-body in the DOFs.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.g008

Simulation results for η = 0.2, rl = 1.3 and β2 = 0°

To further verify the theory analysis results for absent synchronization of the rotor considering parameter η, it is necessary for two non-identical to perform computer simulations, and the results are shown in Fig 9. Here, η = 0.2, β2 = 0° and rl = 1.3 (i.e., m1 = 5Kg, m2 = 1kg, β1 = 180° and l = 0.3). During the starting few seconds, the angular velocity of rotor 1 is far less than rotor 2. The reason is that the inertia moment of rotor 1 is greater than rotor 2. After a few seconds the rotational velocity of two rotors approach the high rotation and absent synchronization rotation, in addition, the maximum value of the velocity difference between the two rotors exceed 10 rad/s, as shown in Fig 9(a)9(b). Meanwhile, the phase difference cannot be stable because of the non-identical velocity of the induction motors, as shown in Fig 9(c). In this case, the value of the parameters of the vibration system is located in the red region as shown in Fig 4(a), and the electromagnetic torque of the motors is unstable and unequal with the different load torque on the shaft of the motors as shown in Fig 9(d). From Fig 9(e), it follows the displacement responses of the vibro-bodies. It can be seen that the displacement responses of the vibro-bodies is unstable because of the unstable phase difference and the fluctuation of the motors’ velocity. The system within such parameters cannot be suitably applied in the engineering.

thumbnail
Fig 9. Results for the computer simulation for η = 0.2, rl = 1.3 and β2 = 0°.

(a) rotational velocities of the two induction motors; (b) velocity difference of the two motors; (c) phase difference between the two unbalanced rotors; (d) electromagnetic torques of the two motors; (e) displacement responses of the vibro-body in the DOFs.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.g009

Conclusions

The vibration system we proposed in this article could be used to invent new vibration screens for the solid-liquid separation in the offshore drilling engineering when their parameters satisfy the synchronization condition and the synchronization stability criterion. Due to the development in the early stage and clearly understand the operation mechanism, we consider the case that the stronger stiffness springs between the two vibro-bodies is coupled with the weaker stiffness springs connected with the fixed foundation. In the future researches, considering the other coupling styles of the system and the unbalanced rotors drove with Multi-motors will be interesting for the exploration of the vibration screens. With the theoretical investigation and the numerical simulations, the following conclusions are obtained:

The average method of modified small parameters is used to simplify mathematically the deducing process. Base this method, the non-dimensionless coupling equations of the vibration system are acquired, and then, the problem of synchronization is converted into that of existence and the stability of zero solutions for the non-dimensional differential equations of the angular velocity disturbance parameters. The synchronization condition for the two rotors is that the absolute value of the residual torque between the two motors is equal to or less than the maximum of their coupling torques. When the value of the parameters of the system is located in the blue region of synchronization, the two unbalanced rotor can implement the synchronous rotation. With the Routh-Hurwitz criterion, the region of the stable phase difference is confirmed by parameter θc, obviously, it is demonstrated that parameters η, β1, β2 and rl have an influence on the synchronization regions of the vibration system. At last, computer simulations is preformed to verify the correctness of the approximate solution of the theoretical computation for the stable difference between the two unbalanced rotors, and the results of theoretical computation is in accordance with that of computer simulations.

Supporting Information

S1 File. Supplementary Appendices.

S1 File include appendix A and B. Appendix A describes the solutions for the steady responses of the vibration system, and appendix B describes the coefficients of Eq (15).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126069.s001

(DOCX)

Author Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: YH. Performed the experiments: PF. Analyzed the data: PF. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: PF YN. Wrote the paper: PF YN.

References

  1. 1. Huygens C. Horologium oscilatorium. Paris, Frence. 1673.
  2. 2. Pol BVd. Theory of amplitude of free and forced triode vibration. Radio Rev. 1920;1:701–10.
  3. 3. Rayleigh J. Theory of sound. Dover, New York; 1945.pp.10–61.
  4. 4. Blekhman I.I.. Synchronization in science and technology. ASME Press; New York. 1988.pp.26–99.
  5. 5. Blekhman II, Fradkov AL, Nijmeijer H, Pogromsky AY. On self-synchronization and controlled synchronization. Systems and Control Letters. 1997;31(5):299–305.
  6. 6. Blekhman II, Fradkov AL, Tomchina OP, Bogdanov DE, editors. Self-synchronization and controlled synchronization: General definition and example design. 2nd International Conference on Control of Oscillations and Chaos (COC-2000), July 5, 2000–July 7, 2000; 2002; St. Petersburg, Russia: Elsevier.
  7. 7. Arkady Pikovsky, Michael Rosenblum, Kurths J. synchronization-an universal concept in nonlinear sciences. 2001.
  8. 8. Zhang H, Wang XY, Lin XH, Liu CX. Stability and Synchronization for Discrete-Time Complex-Valued Neural Networks with Time-Varying Delays. PLoS One. 2014;9(4):6. WOS:000334160900056.
  9. 9. Arenas A, Díaz-Guilera A, Kurths J, Moreno Y, Zhou C. Synchronization in complex networks. Physics Reports. 2008;469(3):93–153.
  10. 10. Yuan W-J, Zhou C. Interplay between structure and dynamics in adaptive complex networks: Emergence and amplification of modularity by adaptive dynamics. Physical Review E. 2011;84(1).
  11. 11. Yuan W-J, Zhou J-F, Li Q, Chen D-B, Wang Z. Spontaneous scale-free structure in adaptive networks with synchronously dynamical linking. Physical Review E. 2013;88(2).
  12. 12. Senator M. Synchronization of two coupled escapement-driven pendulum clocks. Journal of Sound and Vibration. 2006;291(3–5):566–603.
  13. 13. Jovanovic V, Koshkin S. Synchronization of Huygens' clocks and the Poincaré method. Journal of Sound and Vibration. 2012;331(12):2887–900.
  14. 14. Koluda P, Brzeski P, Perlikowski P. Dynamics of n Coupled Double Pendula Suspended to the Moving Beam. International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics. 2014:1440028.
  15. 15. Koluda P, Perlikowski P, Czolczynski K, Kapitaniak T. Synchronization of two self-excited double pendula. The European Physical Journal Special Topics. 2014;223(4):613–29.
  16. 16. Koluda P, Perlikowski P, Czolczynski K, Kapitaniak T. Synchronization configurations of two coupled double pendula. Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation. 2014;19(4):977–90.
  17. 17. B. C. Wen JF, Zhao C. Y.. Synchronization and controled sychronization in engineering. Science press, Beijing. 2009.
  18. 18. Sperling L, Ryzhik B, Linz C, Duckstein H, editors. Simulation of two-plane automatic balancing of a rigid rotor. 2nd International Conference on Control of Oscillations and Chaos (COC-2000), July 5, 2000–July 7, 2000; 2002; St. Petersburg, Russia: Elsevier.
  19. 19. Balthazar JM, Felix JLP, Brasil RMLRF. Short comments on self-synchronization of two non-ideal sources supported by a flexible portal frame structure. JVC/Journal of Vibration and Control. 2004;10(12):1739–48.
  20. 20. Balthazar JM, Felix JLP, Brasil RM. Some comments on the numerical simulation of self-synchronization of four non-ideal exciters. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 2005;164(2):615–25.
  21. 21. Djanan AAN, Nbendjo BRN, Woafo P. Effect of self-synchronization of DC motors on the amplitude of vibration of a rectangular plate. The European Physical Journal Special Topics. 2014;223(4):813–25.
  22. 22. Zhao C, Zhu H, Bai T, Wen B. Synchronization of two non-identical coupled exciters in a non-resonant vibrating system of linear motion. Part II: Numeric analysis. Shock and Vibration. 2009;16(5):517–28. WOS:000269630100007.
  23. 23. Zhao C, Zhu H, Wang R, Wen B. Synchronization of two non-identical coupled exciters in a non-resonant vibrating system of linear motion. Part I: Theoretical analysis. Shock and Vibration. 2009;16(5):505–15. WOS:000269630100006.
  24. 24. Zhao C, Zhang Y, zhang X. Synchronisation and general dynamic symmetry of a vibrating system with two exciters rotating in opposite directions. Chin Phys B. 2010;19(3).
  25. 25. Zhao C, Wen B, Zhang X. Synchronization of the four identical unbalanced rotors in a vibrating system of plane motion. Science China Technological Sciences. 2010;53(2):405–22.
  26. 26. Zhang X-L, Wen B-C, Zhao C-Y. Synchronization of three homodromy coupled exciters in a non-resonant vibrating system of plane motion. Acta Mechanica Sinica. 2012;28(5):1424–35.
  27. 27. Zhang X, Wen B, Zhao C. Experimental investigation on synchronization of three co-rotating non-identical coupled exciters driven by three motors. Journal of Sound and Vibration. 2014;333(13):2898–908.
  28. 28. Zhang X, Wen B, Zhao C. Vibratory synchronization and coupling dynamic characteristics of multiple unbalanced rotors on a mass-spring rigid base. International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics. 2014;60:1–8.
  29. 29. Fang P, Yang Q, Hou Y, Chen Y. Theoretical study on self-synchronization of two homodromy rotors coupled with a pendulum rod in a far-resonant vibrating system. Journal of Vibroengineering. 2014;16(5):2188–204. WOS:000340726000009.