MEC3078S TUTORIAL – GYROSCOPIC MOTION
1. The two identical disks are rotating freely on the shaft, with angular velocities equal in
magnitude and opposite in direction as shown. The shaft in turn is caused to rotate about
the vertical axis in the sense indicated. Prove whether the shaft bends as in A or as in B
because of gyroscopic action.
Solution: B
2. The student has volunteered to assist in a classroom demonstration involving a momentum
wheel which is rapidly spinning with angular speed 𝑝 as shown. The instructor has asked her
to hold the axle of the wheel in the horizontal position shown and then attempt to tilt the
axis upward in a vertical plane. What motion tendency of the wheel assembly will the
student sense?
Solution: To her right.
3. An experimental antipollution bus is powered by the kinetic energy stored in a large
flywheel which spins at a speed 𝑝 in the direction indicated below. As the bus encounters a
short upward ramp, the front wheels rise, thus causing the flywheel to precess. What
changes occur to the force between the tires and the road during this sudden change?
Solution: Force under right wheel increases.
4. A small air compressor for an aircraft cabin consists of the 3.50 kg turbine A which drives the
2.40 kg blower B at a speed of 20 000 rpm. The shaft of the assembly is mounted
transversely to the direction of flight and is viewed from the rear of the aircraft in the figure.
The radii of revolution of A and B are 79 and 71 mm, respectively. Calculate the radial force
exerted on the shaft by the bearings at C and D if the aircraft executes a clockwise roll
(rotation about the longitudinal flight axis) of 2 m/s2 viewed from the rear of the aircraft.
Neglect the small moments caused by the weights of the rotors. Draw a free-body diagram
of the shaft viewed from above and indicate the shape of its deflected centreline.
Solution: F = 948 N
5. The blades and hub of the helicopter rotor weigh 63.5 kg and have a radius of gyration of 3m
about the z-axis of rotation. With the rotor turning at 500 rpm during a short interval
following vertical lift off, the helicopter tilts forward at the rate of 10 ˚/s to acquire forward
velocity. Determine the gyroscopic moment 𝑀 transmitted to the body of the helicopter by
its rotor and indicate whether the helicopter tends to deflect clockwise or counterclockwise,
as viewed by a passenger facing forward.
Solution: M = 5264 Nm
6. The figure shows a gyro mounted with a vertical axis and used to stabilize a hospital ship
against rolling. The motor A turns the pinion, which precesses the gyro by rotating the large
precession gear B and attached rotor assembly about a horizontal transverse axis in the ship.
The rotor turns inside the housing at a clockwise speed of 960 rpm as viewed from the top
and has a mass of 80 kg with a radius of gyration of 1.45 m. Calculate the moment exerted
on the hull structure by the gyro if the motor turns the precession gear B at the rate of 0.320
rad/s. In which of the two directions, (a) or (b), should the motor turn in order to counteract
a roll of the ship to port?
Solution: M = 5.41 MNm; (b)
7. Each of the identical wheels has a mass of 4 kg and a radius of gyration k of 120 mm and is
mounted on a horizontal shaft AB secured to the vertical shaft at O. In case (a), the
horizontal shaft is fixed to a collar at O, which is free to rotate about the vertical y-axis. In
case (b), the shaft is secured by a yoke hinged about the x-axis to the collar. If the wheel has
a large angular velocity of 3600 rpm about its z-axis in the position shown, determine any
precession which occurs and the bending moment 𝑀 in the shaft at A for each case. Neglect
the small mass of the shaft and fitting at O.
Solution: (a) No procession, M = 12.56 Nm; (b) = 0.723 rad/s, M = 3.14 Nm
8. The housing of the electric motor is freely pivoted about the horizontal x-axis, which passes
through the mass centre G of the rotor. If the motor is turning at the constant rate 𝜑̇ = 𝑝,
determine the angular acceleration 𝜑̈ which will result from the application of the moment
𝑀 about the vertical shaft if 𝛾̇ = 𝜑̇ = 0. The mass of the frame and housing is considered
negligible compared with the mass 𝑚 of the rotor. The radius of gyration of the rotor about
the z-axis is 𝑘𝑧 , and that about the x-axis is 𝑘𝑥 .
𝑀/𝑚
Solution: 𝜑̈ = 𝑘 2 cos2 𝛾+𝑘 2 sin2 𝛾
𝑥 𝑧
