Study on Motor-Driven Gyroscopic Generator: Part 1 — Characteristics at Constant Velocity

Abstract

A gyroscopic power generator that generates 1.8 W by using a rotor of 100 mm diameter spinning at 500 rpm is developed. In conventional vibrational generators, which use simple vibrations of a inner pendulum, the output power has been less than 10 mW. Gyroscopic generators increase the inertial force by rotating the pendulum at high speed and generate about 100 times greater power than the conventional ones. However, gyro generators have not been able to operate under arbitrary vibrations at wearable sizes because they are unstable and easily stall by disturbances, and the gyro torque and the electromechanical transformation efficiency rapidly decrease by miniaturization. In this paper, first, a theoretical model is developed to clarify the basic characteristics of the generator. Next, a desktop-sized generator that works under any vibration is developed using highly precise motors and gears determined by the theory. Next, mechanical and electrical characteristics are measured to show the validity of the theory. Finally, the performance of wearable-sized generators is predicted to show the generators that have the same device size and rotor spinning speed as those of 2.5” and 3.5” HDD’s generate 0.74 W and 1.84 W, respectively.