Velocity / Acceleration Diagrams of a Mechanism - Piston and a rotating rod

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration of point P on a piston in a crank-slider mechanism, given an angular velocity of \(\omega = 6 \, \text{rad/s}\) and an angle \(\theta = 90^\circ\). The lengths involved are OC = 150 mm, CP = 450 mm, and SP = 300 mm. The user correctly identifies the centripetal acceleration component as \(r \dot{\theta}^2 = (1.2)^2 \times (0.3) = 0.432 \, \text{m/s}^2\), while noting that the Coriolis component is zero at this angle. The discussion emphasizes the alignment of accelerations in the mechanism.

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Master1022
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Summary:: This is a question about finding the acceleration of a point in a mechanism

Hi,

I have a question about the mechanism shown in the attached picture:

Question:
We are told that \omega = 6 rad/s and the first part is asking me to find the acceleration of point P on the piston when \theta = 90 degrees.

Scannable Document on 26 Jan 2020 at 15_11_29.png


My method:
One question I have is whether we can view this as a crank-slider mechanism? I usually see the mechanism depicted with a slider that is directly at C, but I am wondering whether this is what the question is getting at (especially for some of the later parts when acceleration diagrams are required)

Anyways, I have noted that when \theta = 90 degrees, that the lengths are: OC = 150 mm, CP = 450 mm, and SP = 300 mm.

I have first calculated \vec v_c = \vec \omega_{OC} \times \vec r_{OC} = 6 \times (0.15) = 0.9 m/s. Thus, in order to find the angular velocity of SP:
\vec v_c = \vec \omega_{SP} \times \vec r_{SC} = \vec \omega_{SP} \times 0.75 = 0.9 m/s and thus \vec \omega_{SP} = \frac{0.9}{0.75} = 1.2 rad/s

To find the acceleration of point P on the piston, there are 4 possible components to consider: \ddot r , - r \dot \theta ^ 2, r \ddot \theta, and 2 \dot r \dot \theta. Am I correct in thinking that we only end up with the centripetal component r \dot \theta ^ 2 = (1.2)^2 \times (0.3) = 0.432 m/s^2 (pointing vertically upwards)

My reasoning is that:
At \theta = 90, the \dot r = 0 (of the sliding piston relative to the fixed point P) and thus the Coriolis component of the acceleration for bar CP will be 0. However, when drawing an acceleration diagram (not sure if this much working is required), it looks as if the angular acceleration of bar SP and CP are 0 such that the slider (piston) and rocker (fixed on rod) accelerations are vertically aligned (need to be vertically aligned because I believe that \ddot r_{PP'} \neq 0 and it will be vertical).

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
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The coordinate of P(Px,Py) is
P_x=OC \cos \theta -CP \sin \phi
P_y=OC \sin \theta + CP \cos \phi
where ##\phi## is angle OSC whose relation with others is
\frac{\sin \phi}{OC}=\frac{\cos (\phi-\theta)}{L}
or
\cos \phi=\frac{\frac{L}{OC}-\sin \theta}{\sqrt{cos^2\theta+(\frac{L}{OC}-\sin \theta)^2 }} and
\sin \phi=\frac{cos\theta}{\sqrt{cos^2\theta+(\frac{L}{OC}-\sin \theta)^2}}
if I do not mistake.
Thus you get the formula of ##P_y (\theta)=P_y (\omega t)## and can derive its time derivatives.
 
Last edited:

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