An experimental study of stochastic resonance in a bistable mechanical system

Potential applications for stochastic resonance have developed strongly in recent years. This paper presents a study of an application of stochastic resonance in a mechanical system. Since a linear system cannot normally exhibit stochastic resonance, a cantilever beam with an end magnet was used to constitute a bistable nonlinear oscillator. Excited by ambient random vibration, the elastic beam undergoes a modulation of the potential well by means of a periodic excitation and flips between bistable states as a result of this. By adjusting the distance between the end magnet and a fixed magnet it is possible to drive the system controllably between bistable states. An electromagnet was used to provide the periodical parametric excitation which can result in stochastic resonance. The conditions for the occurrence of stochastic resonance are also discussed in the paper. Furthermore, simulations and experimental studies have been implemented to illustrate the application. The experimental results prove that stochastic resonance can occur, and that it can be usefully applied in such a mechanical system under specific conditions.