Gyroscopic power transmission system

• US 4,161,889 A
• Filed: 04/08/1977
• Issued: 07/24/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Virgil Hinds
• Original Assignee: Virgil Hinds
• Inventors: Hinds, Virgil
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, Samuel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ferrell, Don E.
• Application Number:
  US05/785,943
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 74/5 R, 74/61, 74/86, 74/751, 74/5.34, 74/64, 74/60, 74/52, 74/5.37
• US Class Current: 74/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 1/0435 the engine being of the free piston type
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 33/10 with gyroscopic action, e.g. comprising wobble-plates, oblique cranks
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/02 Rotary gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/30 Erection devices, i.e. devices for restoring rotor axis to a desired position for instrument indicating the vertical G01C19/46
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/12 Gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18368 Inertia or centrifugal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18544 Rotary to gyratory

Abstract

A constant torque power transmission consisting of a rotating mass, or gyroscope, rotating around a first axis and supported by a frame or enclosure in turn pivotally supported about a second axis at right angle to the first axis by a gimbal, the gimbal being pivotably supported around a third axis disposed at a right angle to the second axis. A reciprocating power input oscillates the gimbal and the rotating mass about the third axis, causing the rotating mass frame or enclosure to develop a precessional force oscillating about the second axis.

Claims

1. A power transmission system comprising a mass rotating about a first axis, said rotating mass being in a frame pivotably supported by a gimbal about a second axis at right angle to said first axis, pivot means pivotably supporting said gimbal about a third axis at right angle to said second axis and at variable angle relative to said first axis, first power means oscillating said gimbal and said rotating mass frame about said third axis, second power means reciprocable by said rotating mass frame when precessionally oscillating about said second axis and biasing means urging said first axis to a position wherein said first axis is orthogonal to said third axis.

2. The power transmission system of claim 1 wherein said first power means comprises a first rigid link pivotally attached at one end to said gimbal at a point proximate to said second axis.

3. The power transmission system of claim 2 wherein said second power means comprises a second rigid link pivotally attached at one end to said frame at a point substantially ninety degrees from said axis.

4. The power transmission of claim 3 wherein said rigid link is attached at its other end to the reciprocating member of a reciprocating fluid pump.

5. The power transmission of claim 4 wherein said first rigid link is attached at its other end to a crank driving a one-way clutch member connected to a shaft.

6. The power transmission of claim 5 wherein said shaft drives a rotary-type fluid pump.

7. The power transmission system of claim 1 wherein said second power means comprises a rigid link pivotally attached at one end to said frame at a point substantially ninety degrees from said axis.

8. A power transmission system comprising a mass rotating about a first axis, said rotating mass being in a frame pivotably supported by a gimbal about a second axis at right angle to said first axis, pivot means pivotally supporting said gimbal about a third axis at right angle to said second axis and at variable angle relative to said first axis, power input means oscillating said gimbal and said rotating mass frame about said third axis, and power output means reciprocable by said rotating mass when precessionally oscillating about said second axis wherein said power output means comprises a rigid link pivotably attached at one end to said frame at a point substantially ninety degrees from said axis.

9. The power transmission of claim 8 wherein said rigid link is attached at its other end to a crank driving a one-way clutch member connected to an output shaft.

10. The power transmission of claim 9 wherein said output shaft drives a rotary-type fluid pump.

11. The power transmission of claim 8 wherein said rigid link is attached at its other end to the reciprocating member of a reciprocating fluid pump.

12. The power transmission system of claim 8 wherein said power output means comprises a rigid link pivotally attached at one end to said input at a point proximateto said second axis.

13. The power transmission system of claim 8 further comprising biasing means urging said first axis to a position wherein said first axis is orthogonal to said third axis.

14. A power transmission system comprising a mass rotating about a first axis, said rotating mass being in a frame pivotably supported by a gimbal about a second axis at right angle to said first axis, pivot means pivotably supporting said gimbal about a third axis at right angle to said second axis and at variable angle relative to said first axis, power input means oscillating said gimbal and said rotating mass frame about said third axis and power means reciprocable by said rotating mass frame when precessionally oscillating about said second axis wherein said power input means comprises a rigid link pivotally attached at one end to said gimbal at a point proximate to said second axis.

15. The power transmission system of claim 14 wherein said rigid link is attached at its other end to a crank driven by an input shaft.

16. The power transmission of claim 15 wherein said power output means comprises a second rigid link pivotably attached at one end to said frame at a point substantially ninety degrees from said second axis.

17. The power transmission of claim 14 wherein said power output means comprises a second rigid link pivotably attached at one end to said frame at a point substantially ninety degrees from said second axis.

18. The power transmission of claim 17 wherein said second rigid link is attached at its other end to a crank driving a one-way clutch member connected to an output shaft.

19. The power transmission of claim 18 wherein said output shaft drives a rotary-type fluid pump.

20. The power transmission of claim 17 wherein said second link is attached at its other end to the reciprocating member of a reciprocating fluid pump.

21. The power transmission system of claim 14 further comprising biasing means urging said first axis to a position wherein said first axis is orthogonal to said third axis.