Gyroscopically stabilized one-wheel vehicle

• US 3,876,025 A
• Filed: 01/08/1974
• Issued: 04/08/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Christopher P. Green
• Original Assignee: Christopher P. Green
• Inventors: Green, Christopher P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siemens, Terrance L.
• Application Number:
  US05/431,743
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 180/7P,21 280/206,207
• US Class Current: 180/21
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/00 Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern

Abstract

A gyroscopically stabilized single wheel vehicle comprising an outer wheel mounted on a rim, a frame and two directions or degrees of freedom of motion system for mounting the frame on the rim within the wheel. The frame supports a driver'"'"''"'"'s seat, fuel tank, a source of motive power, and the controls necessary for operation of the vehicle. In addition, a propeller is mounted on the frame and driven from the source of motive power and provides a thrust along a horizontal axis. One direction of freedom of motion between the frame and the wheel is controlled by a steering wheel. The other direction of freedom of motion is stabilized by elevators secured to the frame and controllable in their pitch. Rotational displacement of the frame with respect to the wheel around a generally vertical axis creates a primary or initial precessional velocity which tends to tilt the wheel out of a vertical plane. The thrust of the propeller increases this tilt, thereby creating a secondary precessional velocity to rotate the wheel around that vertical axis, thereby effecting a change in the direction of travel of the vehicle. As a turn is being completed and the steering wheel is returned to its center position and then turned in the opposite direction, a velocity vector in the opposite direction is created to bring the wheel back into a vertical plane. The steering wheel is then returned to its center position.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a. an annular wheel having an inner rim and adapted to rotate generally in a vertical plane on a horizontal surface, b. a frame, c. means having two directions of freedom of motion for mounting said frame on said rim within said wheel for relative rotational movement with respect to said wheel, with a first direction of freedom of motion being generally about a vertical axis and a second direction of motion about a central axis of said wheel, d. means mounted on said frame for imparting a thrust thereto generally along a horizontal axis, and e. means for rotationally displacing said frame with respect to said wheel around a generally vertical axis to steer the vehicle.

2. A vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said thrust imparting means includes a propeller mounted on a generally horizontal shaft.

3. A vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes rollers mounted between said frame and an inner periphery of said rim for providing said second direction of freedom of motion of said frame with respect to said wheel.

4. A vehicle as defined in claim 3, wherein said mounting means includes means for supporting said rollers for pivotal movement with respect to said frame around a generally vertical axis.

5. A vehicle as defined in claim 4, wherein said displacing means includes controllable means secured to said frame and disposed for engaging said supporting means and effecting the rotational displacement of said frame with respect to said wheel around the generally vertical axis.

6. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said thrust imparting means being reversed for deceleration of the vehicle.

7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thrust imparting means includes a propeller mounted on a generally horizonal axis in the vicinity of the vertical axis.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wheel includes a pneumatic tire disposed about said rim.

9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes yieldable suspension means.

10. A vehicle comprising:

a. an annular wheel having an inner rim and adapted to rotate generally in a vertical plane on a horizontal surface, b. a frame, c. means having two directions of freedom of motion for mounting said frame on said rim within said wheel for relative rotational movement with respect to said wheel, with a first direction of freedom of motion being generally about a vertical axis and a second direction of freedom of motion about a central axis of said wheel, d. means mounted on said frame for imparting a thrust thereto generally along a horizontal axis, and e. means for rotationally displacing said frame with respect to said wheel around a generally vertical axis, f. said mounting means includes rollers mounted between said frame and an inner periphery of said rim for providing said second direction of freedom of motion of said frame with respect to said wheel, said mounting means includes means for supporting said rollers for pivotal movement with respect to said frame around a generally vertical axis, g. said displacing means includes controllable means secured to said frame and disposed for engaging said supporting means and effecting the rotational displacement of said frame with respect to said wheel around the generally vertical axis, h. said controllable means includes a steering device and a first gear drivingly secured to said steering device, said supporting means including a second gear bearingly mounted on said frame and engaged by said first gear for imparting rotational displacement thereto.