Critically Damped systems and Overdamped Systems

In summary, a critically damped system does not oscillate and returns to its equilibrium position without oscillating. An overdamped system also does not oscillate, but at a slower rate. Examples of critically damped systems include automatic door closers and guns. The critical damping in these systems is achieved through techniques such as viscous damping inside the piston cylinder actuator. In order to achieve viscous damping, specific components are used during the manufacturing process of the door closer.
  • #1
jrm2002
57
0
A critically damped system is one in which the system does not
oscillate and returns to its equilibrium position without oscillating.

Even, in an overdamped system the system does not oscillate and returns
to its equilibrium position without oscillating but at a slower rate
compared to a critically damped system.


My questions are:


1) An automatic door close is an example of an overdamped system.Right?
I want to know how is this overdamping property achieved in an
automatic door closer practically?


2)Can anyone give an example of critically damped system and again tell
me how are the characteristics of being critically damped achieved
practically?
Please help!
 
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  • #2
1.) No, it is critically damped. Critically damped systems return to the equilibrium position in the shortest amount of time. It is achieved by viscous damping inside the piston cylinder actuator of the door.

2.) A gun is made critically damped so that it returns to the neutral position in the shortest amount of time between firing.
 
  • #3
Thanks for the response:
1)You said,
"--- A gun is made critically damped so that it returns to the neutral position in the shortest amount of time between firing."

You mean after the bullet leaves the gun,

it ("it" refers to the gun) returns to the neutral position in a short time??

2) You said that the critical damping in a door closer is achieved by viscous damping inside the piston cylinder actuator of the door.

I want to know how viscous damping is achieved during manufacturing of the door closer?What components inside the door closer contribute to critical damping?

Thanks again
 

1. What is the main difference between a critically damped system and an overdamped system?

A critically damped system reaches equilibrium in the shortest amount of time without oscillations, while an overdamped system takes longer to reach equilibrium and may experience some oscillations before settling.

2. How do you determine if a system is critically damped or overdamped?

The damping ratio is used to determine if a system is critically damped or overdamped. A damping ratio of 1 indicates a critically damped system, while a damping ratio greater than 1 indicates an overdamped system.

3. Can a system be both critically damped and overdamped?

No, a system can only be either critically damped or overdamped, not both. The damping ratio determines which type of system it is.

4. What are the applications of critically damped and overdamped systems?

Critically damped systems are commonly used in engineering to minimize the response time of a system, such as in shock absorbers. Overdamped systems are used in applications where stability is more important than speed, such as in electronic circuits.

5. How does external damping affect a critically damped or overdamped system?

External damping can decrease the damping ratio, causing a critically damped system to become overdamped. It can also increase the damping ratio, causing an overdamped system to become critically damped.

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