Experimental validation of escape mechanisms in a bi-stable potential well

Abstract This paper experimentally studies escape mechanisms in a bi-stable potential well, focusing on critical forcing values depending on system damping, excitation frequency, and initial phase. The experimental setup has a rotational degree of freedom. It comprises a vertical shaft with adjustable air bearings and a copper disk that increases the moment of inertia and serves as an adjustable eddy current brake. The system also includes two coil springs that provide restoring moments. External momentum is provided by an electric motor controlled through a function generator. The paper describes the identification of system parameters and compares numerical and experimental results, validating previous theoretical and numerical findings regarding the saddle and maximum escape mechanisms .