Theoretical, numerical and experimental study on synchronization of three identical exciters in a vibrating system

The theory on synchronization of two exciters is more widely used in engineering, while that of more than two exciters is less considered. So it is of great significant to investigate synchronization of three exciters. Firstly by introducing the average method of modified small parameters, the dimensionless coupling equations(DCE) of three exciters are derived, which convert the problem of synchronization into that of existence and stability of zero solutions for the DCE and lead to the construction on criterions of synchronization and stability in the simplified form for three exciters. Then the synchronization criterion is discussed numerically, as well as the abilities of synchronization and stability, some results thereof indicate that the synchronization ability increases with the increase of the coupling moment among three exciters, but decreases with that of their phase differences. Finally, an experiment on synchronization with three exciters is carried out. Through the comparison and analysis of experimental data on phase differences among three exciters, responses of system, and phases of three exciters recorded by high-speed camera, the parameters of system satisfying the above two criterions can ensure the synchronous and stable operation of three exciters. As a result, the average method of modified small parameters can be used as a theoretical apparatus studying reasonably the synchronization mechanism of three exciters, it is also proved to be useful and feasible by numeric and experiment. The present research lays the foundation and guidance for the establishment of synchronization theory system with multi-exciter and engineering design.