On the Influence of Mounting Stiffness on the Dynamics of a Double-Link Aerodynamic Pendulum

Abstract

The dynamics of a double-link aerodynamic pendulum is considered. An airfoil-section blade is attached to the second pendulum link. The conditions whereby a spring mounted on the first pendulum link leads to the loss of stability of the equilibrium position, in which both links are directed along the incoming flow, have been derived. Experiments have been carried out in the wind tunnel of the Institute of Mechanics of the Moscow State University at various incoming flow speeds and blade positions. The experimental data agree qualitatively with the results of numerical simulations.