Braking system for gyroscopic boat roll stabilizer
AssigneeWavetamer LLC
InventorJeffrey Peterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gyroscopic boat roll stabilizer for a boat comprises a gimbal, having a gimbal axis, an enclosure mounted to the gimbal and configured to precess about a gimbal axis, a flywheel assembly rotatably mounted inside the enclosure for generating a torque that is applied to counter a rolling motion of the boat, and a braking system for controlling precession of the enclosure. The braking system is configured to enable precession in the first and second directions of up to at least 45 degrees.
Claims15
A gyroscopic boat roll stabilizer configured to be installed in a boat, comprising:
- a gimbal including a support frame and enclosure configured to precess about a gimbal axis;
- a flywheel assembly rotatably mounted inside the enclosure for generating a torque that is applied to counter a rolling motion of the boat;
- a braking system for controlling precession of the enclosure, the braking system comprising:
- a first actuator connected between the support frame and the enclosure to resist precession in a first direction about the gimbal axis;
- a second actuator connected between the support frame and the enclosure to resist precession in a second direction about the gimbal axis;
- a manifold connected in a fluid flow path between the first and second actuators;
- the manifold having a main valve;
- the main valve connected to the first and second actuators by respective fluid lines that allow fluid flow between the main valve and the corresponding actuator;
- wherein the manifold further comprises first and second hydraulic accumulators operatively connected to the main valve on a low pressure side of the main valve.
A gyroscopic boat roll stabilizer configured to be installed in a boat, comprising:
- a gimbal including a support frame and enclosure configured to precess about a gimbal axis;
- a flywheel assembly rotatably mounted inside the enclosure for generating a torque that is applied to counter a rolling motion of the boat;
- a braking system for controlling precession of the enclosure, the braking system comprising:
- a first actuator including a first fluid cylinder connected between the support frame and the enclosure to resist precession in a first direction about the gimbal axis;
- a second actuator including a second fluid cylinder connected between the support frame and the enclosure to resist precession in a second direction about the gimbal axis;
- a manifold connected in a fluid flow path between the first and second fluid cylinders;
- a first bypass line providing a fluid low path between first and second ends of the first cylinder that bypasses the manifold;
- and
- a second bypass line providing a fluid low path between first and second ends of the first second cylinder that bypasses the manifold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.