Strange Nonchaotic Self-Oscillator

TL;DR

This paper presents a mechanical autonomous system exhibiting strange nonchaotic attractors driven by constant torque, demonstrating the feasibility of SNA in non-oscillatory, autonomous systems.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of strange nonchaotic self-oscillations in a mechanical system with incommensurable frequencies, expanding understanding of SNA in autonomous systems.

Findings

Existence of SNA in a dissipative mechanical system driven by constant torque

Incommensurable frequencies arise from irrational ratios of component sizes

SNA can occur without external oscillatory forcing

Abstract

An example of strange nonchaotic attractor (SNA) is discussed in a dissipative system of mechanical nature driven by constant torque applied to one of the elements of the construction. So the external force is not oscillatory, and the system is autonomous. Components of the motion with incommensurable frequencies emerge due to the irrational ratio of sizes of the involved rotating elements. We regard the phenomenon as strange nonchaotic self-oscillations, and its existence sheds new light on the question of feasibility of SNA in autonomous systems.