Gyroscope device for creating a precession torque

Abstract

The present invention is a device for generating a precession torque for transmission to an attached object. The present invention includes a motor mounted to a base and a gyroscope device. The gyroscope device includes a drive gimbal with a substantially planar drive gimbal bevel gear. A gyro gimbal is coupled to the motor to spin the gyro gimbal about a gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the drive gimbal bevel gear. A gyro simultaneously rotating about the gyro gimbal axis and spinning about a moving gyro spin axis creates a precession torque about a precession torque axis mutually orthogonal to the moving gyro spin axis and the gyro gimbal axis.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/309,734, entitled “Torque Induced Propulsion System,” filed Dec. 13, 2002 by Applicant herein, and issued Mar. 1, 2005 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,166.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to gyroscope devices. Specifically, the present invention is a gyroscope device in which a motor turning a gyro generates a precession torque that can be imparted to an object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, machines that produce thrust or provide propulsion for aerial vehicles do so by either pushing against the air the way airplanes, jets, or helicopters do, or by expelling burned fuel the way rockets do. Many patents have been filed for propulsion systems that do not work in this conventional fashion. Many of these patents work against gyros to generate propulsion.

Patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,317 to Laithwaite (1999), U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,112 to Kidd (1991), UK patent 2,090,404 to Russell (1982), all describe gyro-based propulsion systems that have an excessive number of moving parts, U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,331 to Rogers (1991), UK patent 205,753 to Morgan (1988), U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,260 to Delroy (1992), and Japanese patent 60-56182 to Kiyunmeru (1985), also have the same problem. This adds unnecessary weight, decrease energy efficiency, and give cause for concern of mechanical breakdown. In addition, these overly complex machines seem unnecessarily expensive to build, making them impractical for manufacturing.

Propulsion system patents using principles other than gyros that claim to be able to produce the same type of propulsion (without expelling expended fuel or pushing against the medium through which they travel) suffer from the same problems of over complexity. Examples of these patents are U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,439 to North (1987), U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,856 to De Weaver (1983), U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,396 to De Weaver (1984), U.S. Pat No. 5,150,626 to Nevarro (1992), U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,958 to Black (1993), U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,188 to Howard (1998), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,986 to Laul (1999).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is a gyroscope device that uses the spin and precession of a gyro while revolving around an axis to generate a precession torque that is transmitted to an object. In another embodiment, the present invention is a gyroscope system that uses the spin and precession of at least two sets of two gyros each rotating on two axes while revolving around a third axis to generate pulses of torque from the resulting gyro precession to propel a machine by rotating it around two axes alternately.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a motor is mounted to a base. The base may take any form, but is optionally an object to which a precession torque is to be applied. The motor turns an axle.

A gyroscopic device is coupled to rotate about the axle. The gyroscopic device includes a drive gimbal, a gyro gimbal, and a gyro. The drive gimbal includes a substantially planar drive gimbal bevel gear. Optionally, the drive gimbal is coupled to the axle to permit rotation of the gyroscopic device about the axle by the motor.

The gyro gimbal is coupled to the motor such that the motor drives the gyro gimbal to spin continuously and completely about a gyro gimbal axis. The gyro gimbal axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the drive gimbal bevel gear.

The gyro is coupled to, and guided by, the drive gimbal bevel gear such that the gyro is caused to spin when the motor drives the gyro gimbal to spin. In this manner, the gyro simultaneously rotates about the gyro gimbal axis and spins about a moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the drive gimbal bevel gear. As a consequence of the gyro rotation and spin, a precession torque is generated about a precession torque axis. The precession torque axis is mutually orthogonal to the moving gyro spin axis and the gyro gimbal axis. The precession torque is transmitted to the base.

In a second aspect of the present invention, a motor drives an axle coupled to four gyroscopic devices. As above, each of a first gyroscopic device, a second gyroscopic device, a third gyroscopic device, and a fourth gyroscopic device are rotated about the axle.

A first gyroscopic device includes a first drive gimbal with a substantially planar first drive gimbal bevel gear. A first gyro gimbal is coupled to the motor and is driven by the motor to spin continuously and completely about a first gyro gimbal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first drive gimbal bevel gear. A first gyro simultaneously rotates about the first gyro gimbal axis and spins about a first moving gyro spin axis that is in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the first drive gimbal bevel gear. The spin of the first gyro is coupled to, and guided by the first drive gimbal bevel gear, such that the first gyro is caused to spin when the motor drives the first gyro gimbal to spin. The first gyro rotation and spin generates a first precession torque about a moving first precession torque axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first moving gyro spin axis and the first gyro gimbal axis;

A second gyroscopic device includes a second drive gimbal with a substantially planar second drive gimbal bevel gear. A second gyro gimbal driven by the motor to spin continuously and completely about a second gyro gimbal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the second drive gimbal bevel gear. The second gyro gimbal axis is substantially parallel to the first gyro gimbal axis but the spin of the second gyro gimbal is substantially opposite the spin of the first gyro gimbal. A second gyro simultaneously rotates about the second gyro gimbal axis and spins about a second moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the second drive gimbal bevel gear. The spin of the second gyro is coupled to, and guided by, the second drive gimbal bevel gear such that the second gyro is caused to spin when the motor drives the second gyro gimbal to spin. The second gyro rotation and spin generates a second precession torque about a moving second precession torque axis that is mutually orthogonal to the second moving gyro spin axis and the second gyro gimbal axis.

A third gyroscopic device includes a third drive gimbal having a substantially planar third drive gimbal bevel gear. A third gyro gimbal is driven by the motor to spin continuously and completely about a third gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the third drive gimbal bevel gear and is substantially perpendicular to the first gyro gimbal axis. A third gyro simultaneously rotates about the third gyro gimbal axis and spins about a third moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the third drive gimbal bevel gear. The spin of the third gyro is coupled to, and guided by, the third drive gimbal bevel gear such that the third gyro is caused to spin when the motor drives the third gyro gimbal to spin. The third gyro rotation and spin generates a third precession torque about a third precession torque axis mutually orthogonal to the third moving gyro spin axis and the third gyro gimbal axis.

A fourth gyroscopic device includes a fourth drive gimbal with a substantially planar fourth drive gimbal bevel gear. A fourth gyro gimbal is coupled to the motor such that the fourth gyro gimbal driven by the motor to spin continuously and completely about a fourth gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the fourth drive gimbal bevel gear. The fourth gyro gimbal axis is substantially parallel to the third gyro gimbal axis, but the spin of the fourth gyro gimbal substantially opposite the spin of the third gyro gimbal. A fourth gyro simultaneously rotates about the fourth gyro gimbal axis and spins about a fourth moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the fourth drive gimbal bevel gear. The spin of the fourth gyro is coupled to, and guided by, the fourth drive gimbal bevel gear such that the fourth gyro is caused to spin when the motor drives the fourth gyro gimbal to spin. The fourth gyro rotation and spin generates a fourth precession torque about a fourth precession torque axis mutually orthogonal to the fourth moving gyro spin axis and the fourth gyro gimbal axis. The first precession torque, second precession torque, third precession torque, and fourth precession torque are transmitted to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B and, 1C are elevated perspective views of an object attached to a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are elevated perspective views of an enclosure containing a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an elevated perspective view of a gyro according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an elevated perspective assembly view of a gyro according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is an elevated perspective view of a gyro gimbal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is an elevated perspective assembly view of a gyro gimbal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is an elevated perspective view of a gyro gimbal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A through 5C are elevated perspective views of a gyro gimbal and a gyro spinning and rotating according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5D through 5F is an elevated perspective view of two connected gyro gimbals each having a gyro spinning and rotating according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A through 6E are elevated perspective views of a gyro gimbal and gyro connected to a motor to spin and rotate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are elevated perspective views of a system of four gyro gimbals and gyros connected to a motor to spin and rotate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is an elevated perspective view of a drive gimbal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is an elevated perspective assembly view of a drive gimbal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is an elevated perspective view of a drive assembly including drive gimbals according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is an elevated perspective assembly view of a drive assembly including drive gimbals according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an elevated perspective view of a drive gear according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an elevated perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is an elevated perspective view of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is an elevated perspective assembly view of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an elevated perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an elevated perspective view of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15A is an elevated perspective view of a drive gimbal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is an elevated perspective assembly view of a drive gimbal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15C is an elevated perspective view of a drive gimbal, gyro gimbal, and gyro according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16A is an elevated perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16B is an elevated perspective assembly view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an elevated perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. Referring first to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the present invention generates a precession torque that can be imparted to an object attached to the device. For example, in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the present invention may provide propulsion by applying torque to a vehicle to be propelled in alternating directions from alternating axes on opposite ends. FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a simplified vehicle 2 being propelled.

FIG. 1A illustrates the torque 4 applied to left side 6 giving the vehicle 2 upward motion 8 by giving a counter-clockwise rotation 10 to the right side 12 around the left side 6, while the left side 6 freefalls.

FIG. 1B illustrates the torque 14 applied to right side 12 giving the vehicle 2 upward motion 8 by giving a clockwise rotation 16 to the left side 6 around the right side 12, while the right side 12 freefalls.

FIG. 1C illustrates the action of FIG. 1A repeated. Torque 4 applied to left side 6 giving the vehicle 2 upward motion 8 by giving counter-clockwise rotation 10 to the right side 12 around the left side 6, while the left side 6 freefalls.

It is contemplated that the action in FIGS. 1A and 1B could be cyclically repeated to propel the vehicle by applying opposite directions of torque to two separate axes alternating sides rotating one side at a time toward the direction the vehicle 2 is to travel.

Turning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, another concept of operation is illustrated. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, a housing 18 is shown that prevents the vibration from alternating torques 28, 32 from tipping the entire vehicle side to side as in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. In FIG. 2A, a device according to the present invention causes a housing 18 to rotate on a pivot 20 in the direction of the large curved arrow 22 rather than rotating an entire vehicle when lifting it. This way, a force can be applied to a stand 24 giving upward motion 26 by applying torque 28 around an axis 30.

FIG. 2B illustrates the action in FIG. 2A reversed, just as FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrated. The applied torque 32 is around an axis 34 opposite to the torque axis 30 in FIG. 2A. The applied torque 32 induces motion 36 on the housing 18 giving the upward motion 38 to the stand 24.

The present invention is a device for creating the torque forces as the result of the precession of a gyroscope device, shown in FIG. 5A, or a system of gyroscope devices, shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a gyroscope device according to the present invention includes a gyro 40. In one embodiment, a gyro 40 according to the present invention is constructed from a single piece of material. In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a gyro 40 is assembled from components. FIG. 3A shows an optional embodiment of an assembled gyro 40 and FIG. 3B is an assembly view of the gyro 40 of FIG. 3A.

In such an optional embodiment, an axle 42 has a keyway 44 for a key 46 that secures a flywheel 48 to the axle 42. Washers 50 are then placed around the axle 42 on both sides of a flywheel 48 and held in place with snap rings 52 in axle slots 54, 56. In this optional embodiment, snap rings 52 are also placed in the next set of axle slots 58, 60, followed by washers 50 to support bearings 62. The bearings 62 are adjacent another set of washers 50, which are in turn adjacent additional snap rings 52 in the next set of axle slots 64, 66 to fix the position of the bearings 62. The optional embodiment illustrated includes a bevel pinion 68 and weight 70 that are then placed on the axle 42 and secured with snap rings 72 in the outermost axle grooves 74, 76.

The gyroscope device also includes a gyro gimbal 78. As described in greater detail below, the gyro gimbal 78 supports and imparts rotational motion to the gyro 40. In one optional embodiment, the gyro gimbal 78 is constructed from a single piece of material. In another optional embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the gyro gimbal 78 may be assembled from components.

FIG. 4A shows an optional embodiment of an assembled gyro gimbal 78 with two gears. FIG. 4B is an assembly view of a gyro gimbal 78 according to FIG. 4A. In such an optional embodiment, gimbal axles 80, 82 fit into gimbal frames 84. Gimbal frames 84 are attached to bearing housings 86 with bolts 88. Bearings 62 fit into the bearing housings 86. Each of the two gears 88, 90 attach to a respective gimbal axle 80, 82 with a gear mount 92. Snap rings 52 position the gears 88, 90 and gear mounts 92 on the axles 80, 82 when placed in axle grooves 94, 96. Washers 50 are located on opposite side of bearings 62 when inserting gimbal axles 80, 82. Snap rings 52 position the bearings 62 and washers 50 when placed into axle grooves 98, 100.

FIG. 4C illustrates a gyro gimbal 102 with one gear, differing from the gyro gimbal 78 of FIG. 4A by one fewer gear and a long gimbal axle 80 replaced with a shorter gimbal axle 104 on one end.

The gyro 40 and gyro gimbal 78 are assembled such that the gyro gimbal 78 may impart rotational movement to the gyro 40 and, once the drive gimbal is engaged to the gyro 40 in a manner described in greater detail below, the rotational movement of the gyro 40 may be translated to spinning movement of the gyro 40.

An optional embodiment of an assembly of the gyro 40 and the gyro gimbal 78 is shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C. As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the gyro 40 is mounted to freely spin in the bearings 62 in the gyro gimbal 78. While more completely shown and described in FIG. 11, once a drive gimbal is engaged to the gyro 40, the rotational motion 110 of the gyro gimbal 78 is translated to simultaneous rotational motion and spinning motion of the gyro 40.

More specifically, illustrated in FIG. 5A is two axis rotation of the gyro 40 within the gyro gimbal 78. As the gyro 40 spins on a gyro spin axis 106 the gyro gimbal 78 rotates on a gyro gimbal axis 108 illustrated with a curved arrow 110. As these two motions occur simultaneously as illustrated, a precession torque 112 occurs around a precession torque axis 114 that generates a torque in the direction of the large curved arrows.

FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate progressions of the gyro gimbal 78 rotation 110 around a gyro gimbal axis 108 causing a change in the orientation of the precession torque axis 114 with the position of the gyro gimbal 78.

According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a system of gyroscope devices may be used in combination. One optional embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5D, 5E, and 5F.

In the optional embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5D is a set gyro gimbals 78, 102 rotating on respective gyro gimbal axes 108, 116, with the respective gyros 40 rotating on their respective gyro spin axes 106, 118. As the gyro gimbals 78, 102 rotate in opposite directions as illustrated with arrows 110 and 120, the precession torques 112, 122 generated around precession torque axes 114, 124 work together, giving rise to a precession pulse, illustrated with a large arrow 126. In this orientation, the precession torques 112, 122 reinforce one another.

FIGS. 5E and 5F illustrate progressions of the rotation 110, 120 of the gyro gimbals 78, 102. FIG. 5E illustrates both gyro gimbals 78, 102 having rotated forty-five degrees (45°) on their respective gyro gimbal axes 108, 116 from their position in FIG. 5D. The precession pulse arrow 126 from FIG. 5D is not shown since the precession torques 112, 122 are no longer aligned.

In FIG. 5F illustrates the precession torques 112 and 122 working against each other in opposite directions to cancel each other out having rotated forty-five degrees (45°) on their axes from their position in FIG. 5E and ninety degrees (90°) from FIG. 5D.

Turning to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E, there is shown a motor 128 that is coupled to the gyro gimbals 78, 102 to impart rotational motion and rotates an axle 130 to rotate the system of gyroscope devices. In the optional embodiment of FIG. 6A, the precession torques 112, 122 in reinforcing one another to generate a precession pulse 126 with a motor 128 revolving both gyro gimbals 78, 102 around a central axle 130 in the direction illustrated with the large arrows 132. Optionally, the rotation of the gyro gimbals 78, 102 about the axle 130 occurs at the same angular speed as the rotation of the gyro gimbals 78, 102 on their respective gyro gimbal axes 108 and 116.

FIG. 6B illustrates the optional embodiment of FIG. 6A with the precession torques 112, 122 offset from one another as a consequence of the gyro gimbals 78, 102 revolving around the axle 130 forty-five degrees from their positions in FIG. 6A and rotating in opposite directions to each other on their gyro gimbal axes 108, 116 forty-five degrees from their positions in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C illustrates the precession torques 112, 122 cancelling one another out as a consequence of both gyro gimbals 78, 102 revolving around the axle 130 an additional forty-five degrees from their positions in FIG. 6B and rotating in opposite directions around their respective gyro gimbal axes 108, 116 an additional forty-five degrees from their positions in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6D illustrates the precession torques 112, 122 offset from one another as a result of both gyro gimbals 78, 102 revolving around the axle 130 an additional forty-five degrees from their positions in FIG. 6C and rotating in opposite directions on their respective gyro gimbal axes 108, 116 an additional forty-five degrees from their positions in FIG. 6C.

FIG. 6E illustrates the precession torques 112, 122 again reinforcing one another to generate a precession pulse 126 with both gyro gimbals 78, 102 revolving around a central axle 130 an additional degrees from their positions in FIG. 6D (which is one hundred-eighty degrees from their positions in FIG. 6A) and rotating in opposite directions on their respective gyro gimbal axes 108, 116 an additional forty-five degrees from their positions in FIG. 6C (which is one hundred eighty degrees from their positions in FIG. 6A).

Thus, according to this optional embodiment, the precession torques 112, 122 alternately reinforce and cancel one another out with each one hundred-eighty degree rotation as illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6E, assuming that the gyro gimbals 78, 102 rotate on their respective gyro gimbal axes 108, 116 at the same rate they revolve around the axle 130.

Turning to FIGS. 7A and 7B, one optional embodiment of the present invention includes two sets of paired gyro gimbals. That is, according to one optional embodiment, four gyroscope devices are arranged in pairs around an axle 130. Each pair of gyroscope devices is substantially interconnected in the manner described in FIGS. 6A through 6E. That is, each gyroscope device includes a gyro 40 coupled to a gyro gimbal 78 that is, in turn, coupled to an axle 130 rotated by a motor 128. Additionally, the gyroscope devices are mounted to the axle 130 in such a manner that the gyroscope devices themselves rotate about the axle 130. FIG. 7A illustrates the precession pulse 126 giving a counter-clockwise torque around the horizontal axis 30 from the horizontal set while the vertical set is in the OFF phase. FIG. 7B illustrates the precession pulse 126 giving a clockwise torque around the horizontal axis 34. In FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Each gyroscope device also includes a drive gimbal 134. For example, FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an optional embodiment of a drive gimbal. In the optional embodiment illustrated, the drive gimbal 134 includes a substantially planar drive gimbal bevel gear 142 that engages the bevel pinion 68 on the gyro 40 as shown in FIG. 3B. In this manner, the spin of the gyro 40 is coupled to, and guided by, the drive gimbal bevel gear 142 so that the gyro 40 is caused to spin when the motor 128 causes the gyro gimbal 78 to rotate with the drive gimbal bevel gear 142 and the bevel pinion 68 enmeshed.

With reference to FIG. 8B, an assembly view of a drive gimbal 134 is shown. The drive gimbal 134 of this optional embodiment consists of drive gimbal frames 136 attached with bolts 88 to drive gimbal bearing housings 138 and a drive gimbal bevel gear 142. In such an optional embodiment, drive gimbal frame supports 140 attach with bolts 88 to the drive gimbal bearing housings 138 and the drive gimbal bevel gear 142 perpendicular to the drive gimbal frames 136.

The drive gimbals 134 are optionally mounted to a drive assembly 144. One optional embodiment of a drive assembly 144 adapted for the optional embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. According to the optional embodiment of FIG. 9B, a drive assembly 144 consists of a drive housing 146 and two sets of two drive gimbals 134 attached with bolts (not shown). End-caps 148 house bearings 62 and are attached to the drive housing 146 with bolts (not shown). Two sets of bearings 62 are received into drive housing 146.

Referring to FIG. 10, the transmission of the motion from the axle 130 to the gyro gimbals 78, 102 may occur through a gear-drive consisting of a drive gear 150 and a bevel gear 154 attached to a drive axle 152. The bevel gear 154 may, in turn, couple to a bevel gear 158 connected to the axle 130, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, an optional embodiment of a system with four gyroscope devices is shown without a drive housing to expose the system. As discussed above, in this optional embodiment, a bevel gear 158 will turn the gear-drive assemblies 156 within bearings 62. Each of the two sets of drive gimbals 134 contains a gyro gimbal 102 with one gear and a gyro gimbal 78 with two gears. Each gyro gimbal 78, 102 contains a gyro 40 that rotates on two axes within its drive gimbal 134 as the drive assembly is turned by the motor 128 around the axle 130. As may be appreciated, the precession torques generated by the gyroscope devices are transmitted to the object to which the system is attached through a base 125 or other mounting.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an embodiment of an assembled housing assembly 158 enclosing a system according to the present invention that pivots within a stand 24. FIG. 12B illustrates an assembly view of the components of the housing assembly 158. Housing panels 160 are attached with bolts not shown to corner blocks 164. Comer blocks 164 attach bars 166, 168, and 170 together as illustrated to hold end plates 162. One of the end plates 162 is fixed to the central axle 130. The other end of the axle 130 only reaches the end-cap of the far end of the drive assembly not shown so that the motor's shaft can pass through the end plate it is mounted to, in order to turn the drive gimbal assembly not shown around the bevel gear 158.

FIG. 13 shows one optional embodiment of a system according to the present invention mounted inside the housing assembly of FIG. 12 with a panel removed to expose the system.

It is specifically contemplated that any gear, chain, belt, or other means of transmitting motion may be used to spin and rotate the gyro 40 in the desired direction to generate a precession torque. For example, in an alternate optional embodiment, shown in FIGS. 14, 15A, 15B, 15C, 16A, 16B, and 17, the gyro 40 motions are exactly the same in the illustrated embodiment, but are achieved with a different gearing arrangement than the previously illustrated embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, an embodiment of a housing gimbal 171 is shown. Specifically, a bearing housing 174 is attached with bolts 88 to housing gimbal frames 180. A housing gimbal bevel gear 176 is attached with bolts 88 to each housing gimbal frame 180. A bearing 62 is received into a bearing housing 174. A housing gimbal gear 178 is attached with bolts 88 to the assembled housing gimbal frames 180.

Illustrated in FIG. 15C is a design of an alternate embodiment of a gyroscope device disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,166. This optional embodiment of a gyroscope device includes a housing gimbal gear 178 attached to the bottom. It is composed here of four assemblies; a housing gimbal 171 houses a drive gimbal 134 which houses a gyro gimbal 182 which houses a gyro 40. Illustrated here, a short drive gimbal axle 184 is attached to the drive gimbal 182 and rolls in bearings (not shown) in the housing gimbal 171.

A drive assembly according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. Illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B is a drive assembly composed of two sets of two drive gimbals 134 attached to drive bars 172 with short drive gimbal axles 184 and long ones 186. Bearings 62 are received into drive bars 172. A drive gear 192 may be attached to the outside of a drive bar 172 as illustrated. The two drive bars 172 between the drive gimbals 134 may be notched to interlock around bearings (not shown).

Illustrated in FIG. 16B is an assembly view of the drive assembly of FIG. 16A. Bearings 62 are pressed into each drive bar 172. Drive bars 172 interlocking between drive gimbals 134 may optionally share bearings 62. Each drive gimbal 134 is attached to a short drive gimbal axle 184 and a long drive gimbal axle 186 to attach to drive bars with snap rings (not shown). The drive gear 192 is attached to the outside of a drive bar 172 after bearings 62 are received into the drive bar 172.

An optional embodiment of a frame for supporting the drive assembly of FIGS. 16A and 16B is shown in FIG. 17. An electric motor 128 may be attached to the frame to drive the gyroscope device or devices of the present invention. Similar to FIG. 12B, corner blocks attach 164 medium bars 166, average bars 167, and long bars 170 to an axle 130 as illustrated. The axle 130 in this optional embodiment includes two drive pinions 173. Another drive pinion 173 is attached to an electric motor 128 to turn the drive assembly shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. The electric motor 128 may be attached to a motor plate 188 with bolts (not shown). The motor plate 188 may also be attached with bolts (not shown) to a corner block 164 as illustrated.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that the present invention is subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims presented herein.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a base;

a motor mounted on said base, said motor driving an axle;

a gyroscopic device coupled to rotate about said axle, comprising: a drive gimbal including a substantially planar drive gimbal bevel gear; a gyro gimbal coupled to said motor, said gyro gimbal driven by said motor to spin continuously and completely about a gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said drive gimbal bevel gear; and a gyro simultaneously rotating about said gyro gimbal axis and spinning about a moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said drive gimbal bevel gear, the spin of said gyro coupled to and guided by said drive gimbal bevel gear such that said gyro is caused to spin when said motor drives said gyro gimbal to spin, the gyro rotation and spin generating a precession torque about a precession torque axis mutually orthogonal to said moving gyro spin axis and said gyro gimbal axis that is transmitted to said base.

2. A device comprising:

a base;

a motor mounted to said base, said motor driving an axle;

a gyroscopic device coupled to rotate about said axle, comprising: a drive gimbal including a substantially planar drive gimbal bevel gear, said drive gimbal rotated about said axle by said motor; a gyro gimbal coupled to said motor to spin said gyro gimbal continuously and completely about a gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said drive gimbal bevel gear; a gyro rotating about said gyro gimbal axis and spinning about a moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said drive gimbal bevel gear, said gyro coupled to said drive gimbal bevel gear and said gyro gimbal to cause said gyro to rotate about said gyro gimbal axis and spin about said gyro spin axis when said gyro gimbal is spun, the direction of the gyro rotation and spin generating a precession torque about a precession torque axis mutually orthogonal to said moving gyro spin axis and said gyro gimbal axis that is transmitted to said base.

3. A system comprising:

a base;

a motor mounted on said base, said motor driving an axle;

a first gyroscopic device coupled to rotate about said axle, comprising: a first drive gimbal including a substantially planar first drive gimbal bevel gear; a first gyro gimbal coupled to said motor, said first gyro gimbal driven by said motor to spin continuously and completely about a first gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said first drive gimbal bevel gear; and a first gyro simultaneously rotating about said first gyro gimbal axis and spinning about a first moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said first drive gimbal bevel gear, the spin of said first gyro coupled to and guided by said first drive gimbal bevel gear such that said first gyro is caused to spin when said motor drives said first gyro gimbal to spin, the first gyro rotation and spin generating a first precession torque about a moving first precession torque axis mutually orthogonal to said first moving gyro spin axis and said first gyro gimbal axis;

a second gyroscopic device coupled to rotate about said axle, comprising: a second drive gimbal including a substantially planar second drive gimbal bevel gear; a second gyro gimbal coupled to said motor, said second gyro gimbal driven by said motor to spin continuously and completely about a second gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said second drive gimbal bevel gear, said second gyro gimbal axis substantially parallel to said first gyro gimbal axis and the spin of said second gyro gimbal substantially opposite the spin of said first gyro gimbal; and a second gyro simultaneously rotating about said second gyro gimbal axis and spinning about a second moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said second drive gimbal bevel gear, the spin of said second gyro coupled to and guided by said second drive gimbal bevel gear such that said second gyro is caused to spin when said motor drives said second gyro gimbal to spin, the second gyro rotation and spin generating a second precession torque about a moving second precession torque axis mutually orthogonal to said second moving gyro spin axis and said second gyro gimbal axis;

a third gyroscopic device coupled to rotate about said axle, comprising: a third drive gimbal including a substantially planar third drive gimbal bevel gear; a third gyro gimbal coupled to said motor, said third gyro gimbal driven by said motor to spin continuously and completely about a third gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said third drive gimbal bevel gear, said third gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to said first gyro gimbal axis; and a third gyro simultaneously rotating about said third gyro gimbal axis and spinning about a third moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said third drive gimbal bevel gear, the spin of said third gyro coupled to and guided by said third drive gimbal bevel gear such that said third gyro is caused to spin when said motor drives said third gyro gimbal to spin, the third gyro rotation and spin generating a third precession torque about a moving third precession torque axis mutually orthogonal to said third moving gyro spin axis and said third gyro gimbal axis; and

a fourth gyroscopic device coupled to rotate about said axle, comprising: a fourth drive gimbal including a substantially planar fourth drive gimbal bevel gear; a fourth gyro gimbal coupled to said motor, said fourth gyro gimbal driven by said motor to spin continuously and completely about a fourth gyro gimbal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said fourth drive gimbal bevel gear, said fourth gyro gimbal axis substantially parallel to said third gyro gimbal axis and the spin of said fourth gyro gimbal substantially opposite the spin of said third gyro gimbal; and a fourth gyro simultaneously rotating about said fourth gyro gimbal axis and spinning about a fourth moving gyro spin axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said fourth drive gimbal bevel gear, the spin of said fourth gyro coupled to and guided by said fourth drive gimbal bevel gear such that said fourth gyro is caused to spin when said motor drives said fourth gyro gimbal to spin, the fourth gyro rotation and spin generating a fourth precession torque about a moving fourth precession torque axis mutually orthogonal to said fourth moving gyro spin axis and said fourth gyro gimbal axis, said first precession torque, second precession torque, third precession torque, and fourth precession torque transmitted to said base.