Nonlinear stochastic dynamics of a vibro-impact electromechanical system

Abstract : This paper analyzes a nonlinear stochastic dynamics of a vibro-impact electromechanical system composed by a cart, whose motion is excited by a DC motor, and an embarked pendulum into the cart. Two different situations are analyzed. In the first one, the pendulum moves freely inside the cart. In the second one, a flexible barrier is attached to the cart and it constrains the motion of the pendulum. The behavior of the system is very sensitive to this parameter. It controls the nonlinearities of the problem. Because of this, in the stochastic analysis, this parameter is considered uncertain and is modeled as a random variable. The Maximum Entropy Principle is used to construct its probability model. Monte Carlo simulations are employed to compute the mean and the 90% confidence interval of the displacements of the pendulum, of the cart and of the angular speed of the motor shaft.