Patent ID: 8109859

Claim:
An apparatus for simulating sculling, comprising: a main frame for supporting first and second simulated oars, the first and second simulated oars being rotatable about respective first and second rotational axes; and first and second actuators receiving the first simulated oar and the second simulated oar, respectively, the first and second actuators each comprising: an inertial member that is rotatable around the respective rotational axis; a damping member for resisting rotation of the respective inertial member; a drive assembly comprising a speed changer configured for converting a torque and an angular speed rotation of the corresponding simulated oar about the respective rotational axis into a lower torque and a higher angular speed rotation of the respective inertial and damping members about the respective rotational axis; at least one angular velocity sensor for detecting the angular velocity of the respective simulated oar; at least one torque sensor unit for determining the torque generated by the respective simulated oar; a damping system including the respective damping member, the damping system being coaxial with the respective rotational axis and in electronic communication with the respective at least one angular velocity sensor and the respective at least one torque sensor, the damping system providing linear and non-linear damping to create a damping load on the respective drive assembly based on the detected angular velocity and the determined torque on the respective simulated oars.