Abstract: A micro-scale pendulum structure. The structure includes a membrane having a peripheral support portion and an inner portion, and a micro-scale pendulum carried by the inner portion of the membrane.

Abstract: A control moment gyroscope (CMG) includes a stator housing, an inner gimbal assembly (IGA), and a torque motor coupled to the stator housing and configured to rotate the IGA housing about a gimbal axis to selectively generate a desired output torque during operation of the CMG. The IGA includes, in turn, an IGA housing rotatably coupled to the stator housing, a CMG rotor rotatably mounted within the IGA housing, and a spin motor coupled to the IGA housing and configured to rotate the CMG rotor about a spin axis. The CMG rotor includes a rotor shaft, a rotor rim circumscribing the rotor shaft, and a plurality of radially-compliant spokes extending between the rotor shaft and the rotor rim.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a vehicle stabilization control unit may determine a control moment value for one or more gyroscopes coupled to a vehicle frame to exert for stabilization of the vehicle frame. A number of input axes for the flywheels of the one or more gyroscopes to precess may be increased in order to generate the determined control moment value. In some embodiments, the one or more gyroscopes are further coupled to a turntable, and increasing the number of input axes for the flywheels comprises rotating the turntable. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the one or more gyroscopes comprise at least two gyroscopes coupled inline to the vehicle frame (e.g., aligned lengthwise with respect to the front and rear wheel to spin and precess in opposite directions with respect to each other).

Abstract: A flywheel assembly for a gyroscope includes a flywheel having a shaft extending therefrom. A top end of the shaft extends above the flywheel and a bottom end of the shaft extends below the flywheel. A top bearing is coupled to the top end of the shaft. The top bearing comprises a first inner ring, a first outer ring, and a first plurality of rolling elements disposed between the first inner ring and first outer ring. The first plurality of rolling elements is separated by a first plurality of slug ball separators. A bottom bearing is coupled to the bottom end of the shaft. The bottom bearing comprising a second inner ring, a second outer ring, and a second plurality of rolling elements disposed between the second inner ring and second outer ring. The second plurality of rolling elements is separated by a second plurality of slug ball separators.

Abstract: A gyroscope and a manufacturing method are provided. The gyroscope comprises: a substrate with a bottom driving electrode and a bottom measuring electrode, and a dielectric layer with a sealed cavity comprising: a central axis on the substrate; a support ring on the substrate rotatable around the central axis; a mass ring surrounding and having common central axis with the support ring; cantilevers connected with the support ring and the mass ring and suspend the mass ring in the cavity; elastic components among the support ring, the mass ring and two adjacent cantilevers; a top driving electrode overlaying the support ring, the mass ring, the cantilevers and the elastic components; a conductive plug connected with top driving electrode and bottom driving electrode on the elastic components. The mass ring comprises an insulation layer and a weight layer. Stability and performance of the gyroscope may be improved.

Abstract: A shell rotor assembly for use in a control moment gyroscope is disclosed herein. The shell rotor assembly includes, but is not limited to, a first shell member having a first wall portion and a first rim portion formed integrally with one another and a second shell member having a second wall portion and a second rim portion formed integrally with one another. The first rim portion and the second rim portion are attached to one another.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus for transferring heat from and cooling one or more heat generating components that support or drive a flywheel or other spinning member. The apparatus may include a first heat transfer element attached to and spinning with the spinning member, a second heat transfer element stationary with respect to the spinning member, wherein the first and second heat transfer elements move relative to one another, and wherein the first and second heat transfer elements are shaped and positioned in close proximity to one another so that substantial heat is transferred from the first heat transfer element to the second heat transfer element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for constructing a flywheel for energy storage, the flywheel having a drive transfer element (60) and a rim comprising a mass element (10), the drive transfer element being coupled to the rim by a winding (80) around each.

Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided for deployment within the inner gimbal assembly of a control moment gyroscope (CMG). In one embodiment, the rotor assembly includes a rotor shell, a rotor shaft fixedly coupled to the rotor shell, and a rotor rim. The rotor rim includes an annular body and a strain relief member. A first end portion of the strain relief member is fixedly coupled to the annular body, and a second end portion of the strain relief member is fixedly coupled to the rotor shell to form a rim-shell joinder interface. The strain relief member has a flexibility sufficient to reduce the mechanical stress experienced by the rim-shell joinder interface during operation of the CMG.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus for transferring heat from and cooling one or more heat generating components that support or drive a flywheel or other spinning member. The apparatus may include a first heat transfer element attached to and spinning with the spinning member, a second heat transfer element stationary with respect to the spinning member, wherein the first and second heat transfer elements move relative to one another, and wherein the first and second heat transfer elements are shaped and positioned in close proximity to one another so that substantial heat is transferred from the first heat transfer element to the second heat transfer element.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus for transferring heat from and cooling one or more heat generating components that support or drive a flywheel or other spinning member. The apparatus may include a first heat transfer element attached to and spinning with the spinning member, a second heat transfer element stationary with respect to the spinning member, wherein the first and second heat transfer elements move relative to one another, and wherein the first and second heat transfer elements are shaped and positioned in close proximity to one another so that substantial heat is transferred from the first heat transfer element to the second heat transfer element.

Abstract: Gyroscope apparatus (100) having a compact size is disclosed herein. The apparatus (100) comprises a flywheel (402) having a centre cavity (401) and being arranged to be rotated about a Z-axis. The apparatus (100) further includes two motors (300, 350) and a gear assembly (200) driven by the two motors and arranged to rotate two shafts (102, 104) disposed along the Z-axis, thus rotating the flywheel about a Y-axis which is orthogonal to the Z-axis. Since flywheel (402) is disposed around the motors (300, 350) and the gear assembly (200), the apparatus can be made very compact.