Re: Gyro Stabilizers (Ston's solution and the rotary connection) **Rob

["Rob Levinson" <always_coca-cola@xxxxxxx>]

"Steve D'Gerolamo" <steved3@domain.elided> wrote:

>Subject: Gyro Stabilizers
>
>Do any of the current high tech racers use gyro stabilizers (instead of or
>complemented by conventional stabilizer bars) to control body roll on the
>track?  Conceptually, this could be a massive flywheel mounted low and
>center on the car, rotating front to back on a shaft belt driven off a
>modified drivetrain.  The axis/shaft of the flywheel could be directly
>coupled via suspension links/mounts to the large chassis plates and the
>spinning mass help mitigate much of the chassis lean.
>
>    Spin a bicycle wheel weighing a few ounces a few hundred RPM and feel
>the force when you attempt to tilt it sideways...now imagine the effect of
>a rotating mass weighing 75-100 lbs (or more) spinning a few thousand
>RPM's.  SD
>=========================================
>Steve D'Gerolamo - The Ultimate Garage
>201-262-0412 / steved3@domain.elided / http://www.ultimategarage.com



    Steve,

        I believe that Ston Rygar pioneered the first use of the "Universal
Gyroscopic Harmonizer" back in '72.  That was back in the days when he was
driving that 2002tii Baur cabrio.  He sent me some schematics (which were
unfortunately destroyed in the "great fire") of the device.  It was cool!
What he had done was modify a 35hp Sears LawnMaster Deluxe (model #374X-78),
mounted it backwards in the trunk with a 90 degree rotation.  He had a
variety of
attachments for the UGH that included a 95lb. disc for track use (he steered
by shifting the 3-speed Lawnmaster to vary the gyroscopic flux inhibitors)
and a 145lb disc for top-speed runs in Nevada.  He *had* to be going in a
straight line because, damn, that thing only went dead straight with the
"big wheel".
    The last attachment he had was a 7ft prop blade.  This was used for
swamp-buggy runs in the Everglades.  He nearly lost that '02 when he slammed
a big croc one day - man, that Ston is a hoot!

    Another idea - why doesn't a rotary engine work as a gyroscope in a car?
I have strong reasons to suspect it does but the effect is dampened by the
mass of the car.  Probably why nobody ever built a rotary motorcycle.  Left
turn -> BONK!

- - Rob Levinson
'85 535i Turbo
www.shortshifter.com

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