Contact geometry of equidistant tubes

ORAL

Abstract

We consider equilibrium configurations of two flexible tubes arranged in space such that their centrelines are separated by a constant distance. Depending on their configuration, the two centrelines may exhibit single or double contact. We will discuss the contact geometry of one such configuration that exhibits double contact, called the orthogonal clasp, where the two centrelines are assumed to lie in orthogonal planes. Based on this example, we will motivate a “capstan” like equation governing tension decay along the centreline of a flexible tube wrapped around a rigid hook with friction.

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Presenters

  • Harmeet Singh

    • École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
    • Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

Authors

  • Harmeet Singh

    • École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
    • Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

  • Paul Grandgeorge

    • École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
    • Flexible Structures Laboratory, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
    • Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

  • Tomohiko Sano

    • École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
    • Flexible Structures Laboratory, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
    • Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

  • Pedro Reis

    • Institute of Mechanical Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
    • School of Engineering, Ecole polytechnique federale de Lausanne
    • Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    • École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
    • Flexible Structures Laboratory, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
    • FlexLab, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

  • John Maddocks

    • École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
    • Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne