Gyroscopic actuator
The gyroscopic actuator is a new device based on a mechanism designed to make us of the conservation of the kinetic momentum, so that it supplies a torque (momentum) to the platform where it is located. Thus it can orientate this platform in pitching, rolling or yawing, so that it achieves the attitude that a control system requires. Its scheduled use is in aeronautical fields (operation control in aeroplanes), automotion (stabilization of any type of land vehicle), naval (maneuvers and stabilization of naval platforms) and aerospace (satellite attitude control).
1. Gyroscopic actuator, used to produce a torque or momentum on a platform on which said gyroscopic actuator is located comprising:
a torque mechanism to deliver torque to the platform at a constant value or a mean value with a cyclic disturbance of less than 20% of the mean value, when a torque vector has a fixed direction in an inertia reference system,
wherein the torque has a duration unlimited unless the parameters that produce the torque are intentionally changed, in which case the torque mechanism carries out, one or more of the following:
(a) stop delivering torque,
(b) increase or decrease the value of the torque, or
(c) change the torque vector direction wherein said torque mechanism is comprised of at least two pair of rings placed concentrically, each pair of rings act by spin rotation and coordinated in nutation rotation to produce torque.
2. Gyroscopic actuator according to claim 1 , wherein each of said rings have the same main inertia momentums.
3. Gyroscopic actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the spin rotation is linear and at a constant rotation speed and the nutation rotation is asin(pt±q), where t is an independent time variable, and p, q are constants, so that the torque vector is constant.
4. Gyroscopic actuator according to claim 3 , wherein each of said pair of rings has dependent kinematic gear chains so that the spin rotation of one ring of each pair of rings communicates to the other ring of each pair of rings in an opposite direction and same number of revolutions.
5. Gyroscopic actuator according to claim 3 , wherein each ring has a wedge and the nutation rotation is transmitted by an independent kinematic gear chain to each pair of rings, each kinematic gear chain is secured to the wedge of one ring of each pair of rings, and communicates rotation, in an opposite direction to the wedge of the other ring of each pair of rings.
6. Gyroscopic actuator according to claim 5 , wherein the wedge has an activated position and a deactivated position.
7. Gyroscopic actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the torque mechanism has a device to invert the torque.