Where to find a gyroscope

Frequently Asked Questions. International Shipping Info. Send Email. Mon-Fri, 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm U. Mountain Time:. Gyroscopes, or gyros, are devices that measure or maintain rotational motion. MEMS microelectromechanical system gyros are small, inexpensive sensors that measure angular velocity. Angular velocity is simply a measurement of speed of rotation. The LPY gyro on a breakout board. Gyros, similar to the one above, can be used to determine orientation and are found in most autonomous navigation systems.

For example, if you want to balance a robot , a gyroscope can be used to measure rotation from the balanced position and send corrections to a motor. It houses a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyros…. The MPU is a serious little piece of motion processing tech!

By combining a MEMS 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerom…. Before diving into this tutorial, you may want to read up on some of these concepts if you are unfamiliar with them. Note that the z axis of the gyro below aligns with the axis of rotation on the wheel. If you attach the sensor to the wheel shown above, you can measure the angular velocity of the z axis of the gyro.

The other two axes would not measure any rotation. Imagine if the wheel spins once per second. It would have an angular velocity of degrees per second. The spinning direction of the wheel is also important. Is it clockwise around the axis, or is it counter-clockwise? Some gyros come in single and dual axis varieties, but the triple axis gyro in a single chip is becoming smaller, less expensive, and more popular.

Gyros are often used on objects that are not spinning very fast at all. Aircrafts hopefully do not spin. Instead they rotate a few degrees on each axis. By detecting these small changes gyros help stabilize the flight of the aircraft.

Also, note that the acceleration or linear velocity of the aircraft does not affect the measurement of the gyro. Gyros only measure angular velocity. Most toy gyroscopes are started with string. That's the way it has been done for over years. Sadly sometimes the string can wear and break. That is a pain. So we are introducing kevlar string! Same stuff that is used for bullet proof vests and army helmets. More information about the Kevlar string for gyroscopes.

This book was written as a response to a lack of publications offering easily understandable information on gyroscopes. This book aims to fill the gap between dictionary definitions and the all too often highly mathematical books on gyroscopes. With the aid of illustrations you will be shown the principles of gyroscopes including precession and nutation, where and how gyroscopes are used, practical mathematical examples and some of the history of gyroscopes.

More information about the New Book On Gyroscopes. Its back! By popular demand we have produced another version of our lecture gyroscope. Based on University gyroscopes from the 19th century this gyroscope is over 12 inches tall and is made from solid brass. It runs almost silently on precision stainless steel miniature ball bearings. More information about the Brass Lecture Gyroscope. This kit turns the Super Precision Gyroscope and gimbals kit into a rate gyroscope making an ideal demonstration for pilot training or physics lessons.

More information about the Super Gyroscope Rate Kit. This is a bearing replacement kit for our popular super gyroscope. This is a replacement motor and battery pack for the super gyroscope. You shouldn't ever need a spare motor and battery pack but if you happen to loose yours or damage it, don't worry you can buy this replacement from us. All rights reserved. For general gyroscope info click here. The disk of the gyroscope has mass 0.

Its center of mass is 5. What is the precessional period of the gyroscope? We use Figure to find the precessional angular velocity of the gyroscope. This allows us to find the period of precession.

We can now substitute in Figure. The precessional angular velocity is. The precessional angular frequency of the gyroscope, 3. A top has a precession frequency of 5. What is its precession frequency on the Moon? Show Answer. When placed in the vehicle, they are put in a compartment that is separated from the main fuselage, such that changes in the orientation of the fuselage does not affect the orientation of the gyroscope.

If the space vehicle is subjected to large forces and accelerations how can the direction of the gyroscopes angular momentum be constant at all times? A torque is needed in the direction perpendicular to the angular momentum vector in order to change its direction. Earth precesses about its vertical axis with a period of 26, years. Discuss whether Figure can be used to calculate the precessional angular velocity of Earth. A gyroscope has a 0. The center of mass of the disk is 10 cm from a pivot which is also the radius of the disk.

What is the precession angular velocity? The precession angular velocity of a gyroscope is 1. If the mass of the rotating disk is 0. The axis of Earth makes a [latex] As shown below, this axis precesses, making one complete rotation in 25, y. A marble is rolling across the floor at a speed of 7.

Repeat the preceding problem replacing the marble with a hollow sphere. Explain the new results. The hollow sphere has a larger moment of inertia, and therefore is harder to bring to a rest than the marble, or solid sphere. The distance travelled is larger and the time elapsed is longer. The mass of a hoop of radius 1. It rolls across a horizontal surface with a speed of Repeat the preceding problem for a hollow sphere of the same radius and mass and initial speed.

Explain the differences in the results. The moment of inertia is less for the hollow sphere, therefore less work is required to stop it. Likewise it rolls up the incline a shorter distance than the hoop.

A particle has mass 0. A proton is accelerated in a cyclotron to [latex] 5. The proton follows a circular path. If the radius of the cyclotron is 0. Remember that the Moon keeps one side toward Earth at all times. The orbital angular momentum is [latex] 1. A DVD is rotating at rpm.