Coexisting periodic orbits in vibro-impacting dynamical systems

A method is presented to seek for coexisting periodic orbits which may be stable or unstable in piecewise-linear vibro-impacting systems. The conditions for coexistence of single impact periodic orbits are derived, and in particular, it is investigated in details how to assure that no other impacts will happen in an evolution period of a single impact periodic motion. Furthermore, some criteria for nonexistence of single impact periodic orbits with specific periods are also established. Finally, the stability of coexisting periodic orbits is discussed, and the corresponding computation formula is given. Examples of numerical simulation are in good agreement with the theoretic analysis.