The deflection curve for a centrifugally loaded tape traversing an annular cap

• Main Author: Nelson, Richard Keith
• Format: Others
• Published: 1958
• Online Access: https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/140/1/Nelson_rk_1958.pdf; Nelson, Richard Keith (1958) The deflection curve for a centrifugally loaded tape traversing an annular cap. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/A39F-7R35. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-01122006-141840 <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-01122006-141840>

This paper is an analysis of the deflection curve formed by a centrifugally loaded tape which traverses an annular gap. The derived differential equation which describes the system is non-linear but possesses an exact closed form solution in terms of elliptic integrals. A simplified solution of the approximate linearized differential equation is also obtained. The theoretically obtained results were checked by obtaining an actual trace of a curve on a model which represented the problem as stated. The theoretical and experimental results agreed within the limits of accuracy imposed by the apparatus used. Several different cases are discussed which indicate the effect of the significant parameters.