Abstract:
A gyrostabilizer without a physical shaft or axle is constructed. The stabilizer has dual counter-revolving concentric rings filled with weights such as spherical balls that are propelled in orbital fashion by fluid pressure or electromagnet propulsion. The diameter of the concentric ring can vary from a few inches to more than ten (10) feet. Without an axle or shaft the weight of the gyrostabilizer is shifted to the perimeter where most of the momentum is generated at a fraction of the weight of gyrostabilizers that spin on an axle. Also without an axle or shaft the space between the center of revolution and the revolving balls is usable or void. When properly mounted in a vehicle or structure unsteadiness such as tremors, vibrations, sway, pitch, roll, yaw can be dampened.

Description:
This invention relates to gyrostabilizers, and in particular to a method and apparatus for stabilizing vehicles and other structures moving in different directions. The gyrostabilizers of the present invention are designed to dampen tremors, vibrations, swaying, pitching, rolling, yawing or other unsteadiness in vehicles and objects that have no other inherent means for self-stabilization. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Counter-rotating or oppositely spinning discs mounted on centrally located shafts or axles are known to be used as stabilizers for guided missiles in U.S. Pat. No. 3,193,216; for rotation control of a space vehicle in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,401; and to suppress oscillation about an axis of a loaded crane in U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,476. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,289 a device having flat annular or circular rotors of magnetic material in a rigid frame is used to anchor a body subject to attitude change. Typical types of gyroscopes known to the subject inventor include for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,872,707 to Kuiper; 3,158,340 to Sellers; 3,226,982 to Betts; 3,410,143 to Bowles; 3,509,778 to Bowles; and 4,150,579 to Vaughn. The devices identified above occupy valuable space and add considerable weight to the body that is being stabilized. 
     The disadvantages of the oppositely spinning discs arise from the requirement that they be physically mounted to a centrally located shaft or axle; thereby causing the entire disc to rotate and adding considerably more weight and surface area to the stabilizing device. Another disadvantage is that the centrally located axle or shaft restricts that space for other uses and finally the disc, axle or shaft arrangement limits the total revolutions per minute for discs due to wear and fatigue of the parts. 
     The disadvantages of the weight involved in spinning an entire disc have been addressed as follows. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,323, an attitude correction device is mounted above a gyro rotor and utilizes the flow of a viscous liquid and the rotation of one ball. U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,356 discloses a counter-balancing device having a discoid body with a circumferential ring of balls in a lubricating and damping fluid functioning to reduce vibrations and uneven bearing wear associated with unbalanced rotating members; the emphasis is on counter-balancing and not gyrostabilizing. According to U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,776 vibrational dampening for a drilling assembly is accomplished with races or tracks of tungsten-carbide balls in a fluid medium attached to the axial support rotating a drill bit. In a series of patents assigned to ETI Technologies, Inc. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,078; 5,768,951; 5,829,318; and 5,941,133) balancer and vibration removing devices are disclosed which employ balls, cylindrical weights, disc-like weights and viscous fluids moving freely inside a housing with an annular groove, called a “race.” All of the above spinning or rotating devices are arguably of less weight than a solid disc surface, but they all require mounting on a shaft or axle for rotation. Thus, the use restriction on the area in which the device is rotating remains a disadvantage. In addition, there are limits on the size of the stabilizing device based on space available within each application. 
     Further improvements in gyroscopic stabilizers are desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The first objective of the present invention is to provide a counter-revolving stabilizer. 
     The second objective of the present invention is to provide a counter-revolving stabilizer with no physically mountable axle or shaft requirement. 
     The third objective of the present invention is to provide a gyrostabilizer having less mass than a disk. 
     The fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a gyrostabilizer that requires less space than a disk. 
     The fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a gyrostabilizer that produces more controllable revolutions per minute than a disk. 
     The sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a dual counter-revolving gyrostabilizer that permits independent control of each gyro. 
     The seventh objective of the present invention is to offset gyroscopic precession and double the effect of angular momentum available from a single gyro. 
     The eighth objective of the present invention is to provide a gyrostabilizer that can be retrofitted to function in many existing vehicles and structures. 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a design wherein a race or track contains balls propelled in a circular motion via fluid pressure or electromagnetic propulsion in an arrangement where there is no center shaft or axle. This arrangement shifts the weight of the gyrostabilizer to the perimeter where most of the momentum is created. Thus, greater momentum can be generated at a fraction of the weight of gyrostabilizers that spin on an axis. Also, the space between the center of revolution and the revolving weights is usable or void space for vehicles or structures that are weight sensitive. The absence of a physical shaft or axle also provides unlimited flexibility in sizing the stabilizing device, such that the device can be scaled to fit very large or very small vehicles and structures, including toys. 
    
    
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment that is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a fluid driven gyrostabilizer. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the races or tracks of the gyrostabilizer. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gyrostabilizer having the fluid pump centrally located. 
     FIG. 4 is a view of the gyrostabilizer with the top cover of the race removed. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the gyrostabilizer with upper and lower tracks separated. 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded side view of the gyrostabilizer showing steel balls, spacer vanes, upper and lower track assemblies. 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the gyrostabilizer with the top cover of the race removed. 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of balls and vanes in the lower race. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-section of the upper and lower gyro assembly. 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of the electromagnet driven gyro. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of the electromagnet driven gyro showing a series of magnets equally distributed along the upper and lower gyro assembly. 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the upper and lower tracks of the electromagnet driven assembly. 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded side view of the electromagnet driven gyrostabilizer showing ferrous and nonferrous balls, spacer vanes, upper and lower track assemblies. 
     FIG. 14 shows three views of ferrous and nonferrous ball progression propelled by electromagnets (spacer vanes are omitted). 
     FIG. 15 shows three views of the gyrostabilizer used in a boat. 
     FIG. 16 shows three view of the gyrostabilizer used in a hovercraft. 
     FIG. 17 shows three views of the gyrostabilizer used in a skyscraper. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments, including, but not limited to, machines such a camera mount on boats and helicopters. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     The term “race” is used interchangeably with track or groove to mean a circular or annular cavity in which are placed movable weights, usually spherical and made of metal or metal alloys. The term “revolving” is used herein to mean to cause to go round in an orbit which is in contrast to the term “rotate” meaning to turn about an axis or a physical shaft or axle. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, weights such as metal balls are rotatably inserted in a track and are separated by vanes which minimize hydraulic resistance to movement of the weights and provide a surface area against which a fluid is directed to propel the track of rotating balls in a circular motion, known herein as revolving. The vanes also hold each spacer in place and direct the balls in the direction of fluid flow. In order to create a stabilizing device, two circular tracks are used in a stacked arrangement, such that the counter-revolving effects of the balls in their respective tracks assist in stabilizing vehicles and structures moving in different directions. 
     The circular race or track is formed of a durable, lightweight composite material such as, carbon fiber or a lightweight metal alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the two circular tracks of the present gyrostabilizer are bolted together in a stacked arrangement with a gasket or other suitable packing material between the upper and lower track. 
     The rotating weights that are propelled by a fluid can be any spherical balls made of noncorrosive materials such as silicon-nitride, dense polymers or metallic alloys such as tungsten-carbide, and the like. The weights may be one-piece discs or rings having a spherical shape to reduce friction during rotation or spinning within the track. The vanes, also sometimes called “spacer vanes,” separate each ball in the track and can be made from the same durable, lightweight composite material as the track. Thus, carbon fiber or a lightweight metal alloy may be used in the fabrication of the vanes. 
     The fluid used to propel the track of balls can be any synthetic or petroleum-based, high pressure, hydraulic fluid. Likewise, any viscous, lubricating and noise dampening, non-flammable oil, water or air, may be used as a fluid propellant. The pump that is used to propel the fluid into the track can be any suitable pressure pump and can be located in any convenient location within the vehicle or structure that is being stabilized. Such a pump is manufactured by Hi-Speco Corporation and is identified as an engine driven hydraulic pressure pump. 
     When the materials described above are assembled as shown in the detailed description that follows, a method of stabilizing vehicles and structures is possible. A first set of balls is rotated in a first circular track in a first direction. A second set of balls is rotated in a second circular track in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, simultaneous to the first set of balls wherein counter-revolving effects of the first and second set of balls assist in dampening pitch and roll when the gyro is revolving perpendicularly to the pull of gravity and parallel to the direction of unsteady movement. In addition, the counter-revolving gyrostabilizer of this invention can be used to dampen yaw if it is positioned at right angles to the pull of gravity. In zero gravity, the gyrostabilizer maintains an object in a stationary position. 
     A second embodiment of the present invention consists of a first circular track having a first set of balls that are alternatingly made of ferrous and non-ferrous material. The first circular track is adjacently stacked on a second circular track having a second set of balls that are also alternatingly made of ferrous and non-ferrous material. In combination with the first and,second circular tracks is a means for moving the first and second track in opposite, counter-revolving directions by electromagnetic propulsion. Electrified magnets are positioned in an efficient and symmetrical pattern on both the first and second circular tracks. When power is applied, the magnets attract the ferrous balls in the desired direction and with a controllable speed to accomplish stabilization of a vehicle or structure which may be subject to vibrations, pitching, yawing, rolling, swaying and the like. 
     The ferrous balls of the second embodiment are by definition largely comprised of iron or an iron alloy. Steel is a suitable material because of its strength and durability. The non-ferrous balls can be formed of ceramic material or a non-ferrous alloy such as silicon nitride. The nonferrous balls are preferably of the same density as the ferrous balls. 
     The diameter of the gyrostabilizer of the present invention can range from a few inches for a flying toy, to over ten (10) feet in diameter for larger structures. The rate of revolution can be in the range from 100 to 1,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). In the preferred embodiment wherein a fluid pressure pump is used to propel the gyrostabilizer, an oil pressure pump manufactured by Hi-Speco Corporation can produce pressure in a range from 1500 to 3000 pounds per square inch (psi). Specifications for the pump are dependent on the size of the gyro. 
     In case of an emergency, the gyrostabilizer can be shut down by reversing the direction of fluid flow or by reversing the direction of electromagnetic propulsion. Also, when mounting the gyrostabilizer in a vehicle or structure, rubber bushings are used to attach the stabilizer in a manner similar to the mounting of an engine in an automobile. The stabilizer is positioned symmetrically and centrally to the center of gravity of the area in which stability is desired. 
     Referring to the drawings in more detail: 
     The reference numeral  1  when shown in each Figure designates a first circular track having a first set of balls. Reference numeral  2  when shown in each Figure designates a second circular track having a second set of balls. In addition, the track structures  1  and  2  include a top race  15  and a bottom race  16  which is joined to form an annular groove filled with circumferentially movable weights  8 . According to the present invention, at least a pair of the track structures  1  and  2  are installed in vehicles, machines and structures either perpendicular to or parallel to direction of the force that causes unsteady movement. Ideally, a gyrostabilizer is centered and placed symmetrically in the area of unsteady movement. 
     In FIG. 1 a top view of the gyrostabilizer shows a first track  1  positioned directly above a counter-revolving track (not shown). The fastening means  100  are shown around the inside and outside perimeter of the top race  15  and when attached to the bottom race (not shown) it forms a cavity that contains the rotating and revolving weights of the stabilizer. An oil pressure pump  3  is positioned inside the circular track  1  and forces oil simultaneously into the upper gyro drive line  4  and a lower gyro drive line  6 . The oil flow direction  13  is indicated by arrows along each pipeline. The oil pressure which can range between 1,500 and 3,000 psi, causes the balls inside the upper track to rotate and turn in a first direction before the oil enters an upper gyro return line  5  while the balls inside the lower track rotate and turn in a second direction before the oil enters return line  7 . In this manner the oil is re-circulated to the pump to provide continuous propulsion of balls in the two tracks in a counter-revolving direction. A power source  10  is connected to the pump  3 . 
     In FIG. 2 a side view of the upper gyro assembly  1  is shown in a stacked arrangement with the lower gyro assembly  2 . FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gyrostabilizer showing the first track  1  and the second track  2  with the fluid pressure pump  3  centrally located among the gyro drive lines  4  and  6  and the return lines  5  and  7 . More detail is shown with the “Y” connector  11  which connects the upper and lower drive lines and the “Y” connector  12  which connects the upper and lower return lines to support simultaneous revolutions and recycling of fluid. The power connection  10  for the pump is shown. The counter revolving direction of the balls is indicated as  14   a  and  14   b.    
     FIG. 4 provides a view of the gyrostabilizer with the top cover of the first track  1  removed. Each steel ball  8  is separated by a spacer vane  9  in a manner that efficiently and completely fills the track thereby placing the maximum weight on the perimeter of the gyrostabilizer. Counter revolving movement of balls in the first track  1  and second track  2  is shown by arrows  14   a  and  14   b.    
     FIGS. 5 and 6 are exploded views of the gyrostabilizer assembly. In FIG. 5 the first track  1  and the second track  2  are separated to show how the “Y” connector for the drive lines  11  and the “Y” connector for the return lines  12  are connected to the pump  3 . FIG. 6 is a side view of the first track  1  with top cover  15  and bottom cover  16  with a concentric ring of balls  8  separated by spacer vanes  9 . The same arrangement is shown for the second track  2  having a top cover  150  separated from the bottom cover  160  that contains a concentric ring of balls  8  separated by: spacer vanes  9 . 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the gyrostabilizer with the top cover of the first track  1  removed. This view provides greater detail on the arrangement of each ball  8  and the spacer vanes  9 . The spacer vanes are constructed of a lightweight metal alloy and provide a confined space for each ball to rotate freely thus adding to the momentum of revolution in the direction shown by arrow  14   a.    
     FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged drawings of sections of FIGS. 7 and 1, respectively. FIG. 8 is a top view of balls  8  and spacer vanes  9  in the bottom cover  16  of the upper track as shown in FIG.  7 . In FIG. 9 a cross sectional view of the first track  1  in a stacked arrangement above the second track  2  shows how the top cover  15  fits over the bottom cover  16  forming a leak-free, octagonal shaped track that permits free movement of the ball  8  and the secure positioning of the spacer vane  9  within the cavity formed by the top and bottom covers. 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of the first track  19  of an electromagnet driven gyro. A series of three electromagnets  17  are positioned strategically above the cavity filled with ferrous and non-ferrous balls (not shown). The electric power source  10  for each magnet is shown. It should be noted that the center of the gyrostabilizer is usable space or can be left void. FIG. 11 is a side view of the assembly propelled by electromagnets. Here a series of five magnets  17  are equally distributed along the first track  19  and the second track  20  of the electromagnet driven gyro. 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 are exploded views of electromagnet driven gyrostabilizers. FIG. 12 shows the first track  19  separated from the second track  20  with a strategically positioned series of three electromagnets  17  having power source connections  10 . The direction of revolution of balls in each track is as indicated by arrows  14   a  and  14   b . FIG. 13 shows a first track  19  separated from a second track  20  with the top cover  15  apart from the bottom cover  16  showing the concentric ring of balls  8  separated by vanes  9 . The balls  8  are propelled in a counter revolving direction by a series of five magnets  17  positioned at equidistant points around the track. It is understood that the first track  19  and the second track  20  have the same arrangement of balls and magnets except that the balls in the first track  19  simultaneously revolve in the opposite direction from the balls in the second track  20 . The vanes  9  hold the spacers in place and in the assembled gyro are called, “spacer vanes.” 
     FIG. 14 has three views of nonferrous balls  21  and ferrous balls  22  being propelled by a series of three electromagnets  210 ,  220 ,  230  along the bottom cover  16  in the direction  14 . For clarity, spacer vanes are not shown in FIG.  14 . The non-ferrous balls are of the same density as the ferrous balls. The sequence for switching the magnets on and off is preferably first, middle and last. Thus, FIG. 14A shows movement within the race when the first magnet  210  is turned on to pull a ferrous ball in the desired direction. FIG. 14B shows middle magnet  220  switched on to propel another ferrous ball in the desired direction. Finally, FIG. 14C shows movement that occurs when the last magnet in the series  230  is switched on to support and sustain the movement of all ferrous balls in the desired direction. The ferrous balls  22  cause the nonferrous balls  21  to revolve in the same direction as the ferrous balls propelled by the electromagnets. Also the arrangement of magnets propels the balls in the desired direction. 
     FIGS. 15 through 17 contain illustrations as to how the gyrostabilizer can be used in a variety of vehicles and structures. On a smaller scale each vehicle shown could be designed as a toy. FIGS. 15A,  15 B and  15 C show a boat  25  with a dual counter revolving gyrostabilizer  24  positioned to revolve horizontally to prevent the boat from pitching upward on take off. FIGS. 16A,  16 B and  16 C show a hovercraft  26 , sometimes called a Vertical Takeoff &amp; Land Craft (VTOL) with turbine intake  27  and a rotating thruster  28  wherein the dotted line configuration in each figure is a gyrostabilizer  24 . FIGS. 17A,  17 B, and  17 C show placement of a gyrostabilizer  24  in a skyscraper to dampen the sway experienced in the higher portion of the structure. The gyrostabilizer is centered horizontally about the central axis of the building in the area subject to the swaying phenomenon. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby. Other modifications or embodiments, such as gyrostabilizers in machines, as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.