Theoretical aspects of synchronization in transverse galloping aeroelastic instability

We investigate, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, theoretical aspects of synchronization in transverse galloping aeroelastic instability. The current study is a generalization of previous studies that considered the dynamics of a single-cylinder, and therefore, precluded the option to study synchronization. Here, we consider both the deterministic and stochastic dynamics of a system comprising two weakly coupled cylinders, which are attached to the ground with linear springs and dashpots, and are immersed in a high velocity airstream. We derive the conditions for the instability threshold. We give a detailed and simplified procedure to compute the amplitudes, phase differences, and frequencies of the synchronized solutions. We calculate quantitative measures of the amplitude and phase noises, including an explicit calculation of the phase noise reduction due to synchronization, which can enhance the performance of transverse galloping-based energy harvesters. Furthermore, we provide simple mappings for the amplitudes and phase difference dynamics, which we show to be highly useful for understanding both the deterministic and the stochastic dynamics of the amplitudes and the phase difference dynamics from geometric point of view.