dc.contributor.author	Redwood, Benjamin Philip
dc.date.accessioned	2014-08-27T21:55:02Z
dc.date.available	2017-05-04T20:12:56Z
dc.date.issued	2014	en
dc.description.abstract	Gyroscopic stabilization can be used to maintain an otherwise unstable body in an upright position. Devices equipped with gyroscopes can balance upon a small area or point without falling over when the gyroscopic stabilizing force is greater than a rotational force or moment from an out-of-balance load that causes the device to tip. A new concept for a gyroscopically stabilized platform has been proposed in the form of a schematic diagram. The proposed system comprises of four interconnected gyroscopes that react to the tipping of an inherently unstable external body. The purpose of this research is to evolve a design for, and establish the feasibility of building the proposed stable platform using available materials and technology. If feasible, the gyroscopically stabilized platform will be made at the most practical and economic size. Louis Brennan developed a 37 tonne monorail that was maintained in the upright position with two 3 tonne counter rotating gyroscopes. The Brennan monorail is analysed to better understand the behaviour of a similar coupled gyroscopic stabilization system. The reactions between the components that maintain the monorail in the stable position are studied and comparisons are made between the proposed stable platform and the Brennan system. A mathematical analysis of the proposed system is presented. The equations of motion for the system are derived using the Lagrangian Formalism. The characteristic equation of the system is then determined and from this a set of stability conditions imposed on the design of the physical parameters of the stable platform. The general solutions to the equations of motion are then derived. Expressions that model the behaviour of two of the variables that describe the motion of the stable platform are determined. A systematic approach is adopted for establishing a new concept for the proposed system. Testing of the initial stable platform prototype (Prototype A) showed the system did not behave as intended. The platform was optimised further and this resulted in a second prototype, Prototype B. Prototype B exhibiting the desired oscillatory motion about the vertical of the platform. Predictions made using the mathematical model are compared with empirical results. The mathematical model was found to be an accurate method for predicting the response of the stable platform.	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10092/9565
dc.identifier.uri	http://dx.doi.org/10.26021/3025
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher	University of Canterbury. Mechanical Engineering	en
dc.relation.isreferencedby	NZCU	en
dc.rights	Copyright Benjamin Philip Redwood	en
dc.rights.uri	https://canterbury.libguides.com/rights/theses	en
dc.subject	gyroscope	en
dc.subject	stabilization	en
dc.subject	gyroscope dynamics	en
dc.subject	gyroscope design	en
dc.subject	Brennan monorail	en
dc.title	Analysis, design, optimisation and testing of a gyroscopically stabilized platform	en
dc.type	Theses / Dissertations
thesis.degree.discipline	Mechanical Engineering
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Canterbury	en
thesis.degree.level	Doctoral	en
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy	en
uc.bibnumber	2040326
uc.college	Faculty of Engineering	en
uc.embargo	24	en

Analysis, design, optimisation and testing of a gyroscopically stabilized platform

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