Elliptical Drive

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length b

length c

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An intermediate point of a bar moves along a circle, while one end of the bar is guided to move linearly. This can be used to convert rotational motion to linear motion. The far end of the bar moves along a closed curve whose shape, size and location change using the sliders: the distance from the point of rotation to the end moving on the straight line is

b

and to the point on the closed curve is

c

. Several purposes could be explored with this Demonstration: propulsion, instrument design, clockworks, pumps, and so on.