Ratchet device with broken friction symmetry
Abstract
An experimental setup (gadget) has been made for demonstration of a ratchet mechanism induced by broken symmetry of a dependence of dry friction on external forcing. This gadget converts longitudinal oscillating or fluctuating motion into a unidirectional rotation, the direction of which is in accordance with given theoretical arguments. Despite the setup being three dimensional, the ratchet rotary motion is proved to be described by one simple dynamic equation. This kind of motion is a result of the interplay of friction and inertia.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics Letters
- Pub Date:
- April 2002
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.1468900
- Bibcode:
- 2002ApPhL..80.2601N
- Keywords:
-
- 07.10.-h;
- 46.55.+d;
- 05.40.Jc;
- 45.40.-f;
- Mechanical instruments and equipment;
- Tribology and mechanical contacts;
- Brownian motion;
- Dynamics and kinematics of rigid bodies