Nested Gimbal Gyroscopic Stabilizer for Higher Torque Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gyroscopic stabilizers for marine vessels face limitations in maximizing the magnitude of stabilizing torque due to space constraints, as the size of the gimbal and flywheel is restricted by the need for external support components.
Innovation Solution
The gimbal is rotatably supported at least partly within the maximum width of the gimbal along the first axis, eliminating the need for external support components, thereby allowing the gimbal and flywheel to be maximized in size, which increases the stabilizing torque for a given size of the stabilizer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the gimbal is supported by external components outside the maximum width of the gimbal, then the structural stability is improved, but the size of the gimbal and flywheel is restricted, reducing the stabilizing torque
Solution Approach 1:
The support components are nested within the maximum width of the gimbal rather than extending externally. The first and second support arms are positioned inside the gimbal's width boundaries, allowing the gimbal and flywheel to be maximized in size without increasing the overall stabilizer width, thereby increasing the stabilizing torque.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from an external configuration to an internal configuration within the gimbal's width. By repositioning the support arms inside the gimbal boundaries and using a transverse connection between them, the design maximizes the use of internal space to achieve both structural stability and maximized flywheel size.
2Force
If the gimbal size is increased to maximize stabilizing torque, then the stabilizing performance is improved, but the overall size of the stabilizer increases, reducing compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms and connection structure are nested within the maximum width of the gimbal, allowing the gimbal and flywheel to be maximized in size for high stabilizing torque without proportionally increasing the overall stabilizer size. This nested configuration optimizes the ratio of stabilizing torque to overall dimensions.
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 maximizes the stabilizing torque generated by the gyroscopic stabilizer, effectively reducing rolling or pitching motion of marine vessels while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
When the flywheel is caused to rotate by the motor, it has an angular momentum L... When the marine vessel experiences a rolling motion along the direction of the first axis A... 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... the precession (oscillation) of the gimbal 5 around the first axis A causes a stabilising torque around the third axis C that opposes the rolling motion of the marine vessel
Implementation Method 2
The dampers 17 act to damp the precession rate qr 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 qr of the gimbal 5 relative to the frame 3.
Data Source
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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.