MECHANISMS AND MACHINES

MEC214
 Unit V
Gyroscopes
Learning Objectives
• Basic concepts Gyroscopic law
• Effect of gyroscopic couple on automobiles,
ships and aircrafts
 Unit V
Gyroscopes
Whenever a rotating body changes the direction
of its axis of rotation, a couple is applied on the
rotating body. This couple is known as
gyroscopic couple.
Basic Terms
Axis of spin
Axis of precession
Axis of couple
Angular Acceleration
Angular Acceleration
Angular Acceleration
 Angular Acceleration

This angular velocity of the axis of spin is known as angular velocity of

precession and is donated by 𝜔𝑃 .
The axis about which the axis of spin is to turn, is known as axis of
precession.
The angular motion of the axis of spin about the axis of precession is
known as processional angular motion.
Angular Acceleration
Gyroscopic Couple
Gyroscopic Couple
Gyroscopic Couple
 Gyroscopic Couple

Since the rate of change of angular momentum will

result by the application of a couple to the disc,
therefore the couple applied to the disc causing
precession,
 Problem
A uniform disc having a mass of 8 kg and a radius of
gyration of 150 mm is mounted on one end of a
horizontal arm of 200 mm length. The other end of the
arm can rotate freely in a universal bearing. The disc is
given a clockwise spin of 250 rom as seen from the disc
end of the arm. Determine the motion of the disc if the
arm remains horizontal.
Problem
Problem
 Effect of the gyroscopic Couple on an
Aero Plane
Case I:- Let engine or propeller rotates in the clockwise direction
when seen from the rear or tail end and the aero plane takes a turn
to the left.
 Effect of the gyroscopic Couple on an
Aero Plane
Case II :-Propeller rotates in the clockwise direction when seen from
the rear or tail end and the aero plane takes a turn to the right.
Effect of the gyroscopic Couple on an
Aero Plane
problem
 Gyroscope effect on Naval Ships
Terms Used in a Naval Ship
• Bow
• Stern or aft
• Port
• Star Board
 Gyroscope effect on Naval Ships
The effect of gyroscopic couple on the naval ship in the
following three cases:
1. Steering
2. Pitching, and
3. Rolling
Gyroscope effect on Naval Ships
Gyroscope effect on Naval Ships
Gyroscope effect on Naval Ships
Gyroscope effect on Naval Ships
Gyroscope effect on Naval Ships
problem
problem
problem
problem
Stability of a four Wheel Drive Moving
in a Curved Path
Stability of a four Wheel Drive Moving
in a Curved Path
 Stability of a four Wheel Drive Moving
in a Curved Path
Effect of the gyroscopic couple
𝒗
Velocity of precession 𝝎𝒑 =
𝑹
 Stability of a four Wheel Drive Moving
in a Curved Path
Effect of the gyroscopic couple
𝒗
Velocity of precession 𝝎𝒑 =
𝑹
Stability of a four Wheel Drive Moving
in a Curved Path
Stability of a four Wheel Drive Moving
in a Curved Path
Stability of a four Wheel Drive Moving
in a Curved Path
Stability of a four Wheel Drive Moving
in a Curved Path
Stability of a four Wheel Drive Moving
in a Curved Path
 Problem
A racing car weighs 20 kN. It has a wheel base of 2m, track
width 1m and height of C.G. 0.3 m above the ground level
and lies midway between the front and rear axle. The
engine flywheel rotates at 3000 rpm clockwise when
viewed from the front. The moment of inertia of the
flywheel is 4 kg-m2and moment of inertia of the each
wheel is 3 kg-m2 find the reactions between the wheels
and the ground when the car takes a curve of 15 m radius
towards right at 30 km/hr, taking into consideration the
gyroscopic and centrifugal effects. Each wheel radius is 0.4
m.