Qualitative theory of the reactions and stresses in high speed planar linkages

Abstract A general theory illuminating the potentials of the reactions and stresses to be controlled by mass readjustment is presented. The essentially qualitative concept is based on a set of properties documenting the dependence of reactions and stresses from certain mass parameters and their independence of others. In its compact form, the theory is reduced to a collection of Assur's groups, the qualitative descriptions of their reactions (Table 1) and certain simple rules which guide the adaptation of these expressions to any specific situation. Moreover, the theory reveals suggestive patterns valid for all types of linkages, including the existence of unilateral relationships among certain reactions, interdependence among others, the presence of uncontrolled reactions, etc. Finally, the theory provides ground and guidance for a newly developed optimization strategy.