Gyroscopic Stabilizer Layout for Larger Flywheel Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gyroscopic stabilizers for marine vessels face limitations in maximizing stabilizing torque due to space constraints, as the size of the stabilizer is limited by the need for external components like shafts and bearings, which restricts the size of the gimbal and flywheel.
Innovation Solution
The gyroscopic stabilizer is designed with the gimbal rotatably supported at least partly within its maximum width along the precession axis, eliminating the need for external components and allowing for a larger gimbal and flywheel size, thus maximizing the stabilizing torque within a given size constraint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the gimbal is supported by external shafts and bearings outside the maximum width of the gimbal, then the structural stability is improved, but the size of the gimbal and flywheel is reduced, thereby decreasing the stabilizing torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the support shafts and bearings inside the maximum width of the gimbal rather than outside. The gimbal structure is designed to contain the support components within its envelope, allowing the flywheel and gimbal to achieve maximum size within the stabilizer housing. This nested arrangement eliminates the need for external support structures that would otherwise constrain the dimensions of the rotating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the support components from an external arrangement (outside the gimbal width) to an internal arrangement (within the gimbal width). This dimensional reorganization allows the gimbal and flywheel to extend to the full width of the stabilizer housing, maximizing the moment of inertia and resulting stabilizing torque while maintaining structural support.
2Force
If the size of the gimbal and flywheel is increased to maximize stabilizing torque, then the stabilizing performance is improved, but the overall size of the stabilizer increases, exceeding space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the support shafts and bearings within the gimbal's maximum width, the patent eliminates wasted space that would otherwise be required for external support structures. This allows the gimbal and flywheel to occupy the full available volume of the stabilizer housing, maximizing the stabilizing torque for a given external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support function with the gimbal structure itself, rather than having separate external support components. The gimbal body incorporates the mounting features for shafts and bearings within its envelope, combining the structural support function with the rotating assembly to achieve compact, space-efficient design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If external shafts and bearings are used to support the gimbal, then the rotational stability is improved, but the available space for the flywheel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support shafts and bearings are nested within the gimbal structure, specifically positioned inside the maximum width of the gimbal along its axis. This internal placement ensures that the shafts and bearings do not protrude externally and consume space that would otherwise be available for a larger flywheel diameter.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables a greater magnitude of stabilizing torque to be generated for a given size of the gyroscopic stabilizer, effectively reducing rolling and pitching motions of marine vessels.
Implementation Method 1
When the flywheel 11 is caused to rotate by the motor, it has an angular momentum L given in equation (1) below, where I is the moment of inertia of the flywheel 11 and ω is the angular velocity of the flywheel 11: L=Iω
Implementation Method 2
Well-known gyroscopic effects mean that the rolling of the marine vessel along the direction of the first axis A, combined with the angular momentum of the flywheel 11 due to it spinning around the second axis B, causes the gimbal 5 to precess (oscillate) around the first axis A
Implementation Method 3
the gimbal 5 to precess (oscillate) around the first axis A with a precession rate ψ and angle θ. The precession rate ψ depends on the roll rate of the marine vessel along the direction of the first axis A
Implementation Method 4
The dampers 17 act to damp the precession rate ψ of the gimbal 5 relative to the frame 3. In particular, the dampers 17 give a resistance to the relative motion between the frame 3 and the gimbal 5, to reduce the precession rate ψ of the gimbal 5 relative to the frame 3
Data Source
AI summary
A gyroscopic stabiliser for stabilising motion of an object, the gyroscopic stabiliser comprising: a support for attaching to the object whose motion is to be stabilised; a gimbal rotatably supported by the support to be rotatable around a first axis relative to the support; and a flywheel rotatably supported by the gimbal to be rotatable around a second axis relative to the gimbal, the second axis being orthogonal to the first axis; wherein the gimbal is rotatably supported by the support at least partly within a maximum width of the gimbal along the first axis; and a maximum width of the gyroscopic stabiliser along the first axis is equal to, or substantially equal to, the maximum width of the gimbal along the first axis.