Gyroscope
device · 1852 · Industrial Revolution
A fast-spinning rotor that keeps the orientation of its axis (Foucault).
Inventor: Léon Foucault.
What it is made of
- Rotor — has part. A fast-spinning disc.
- Gimbal rings — has part. Gimbals that give the rotor freedom.
- Ball bearing — has part. Legs.
Principles and materials it uses
- Angular momentum — uses. The rotor keeps the direction of its axis.
- MEMS — uses. Phones use MEMS gyroscopes.
- Brass — is made of. Foucault’s gyroscope is brass.
Where it is used
- Smartphone — is part of. A MEMS gyroscope detects the rotation of the phone.
- Quadcopter (drone) — is part of. A MEMS gyroscope stabilizes flight.
- Autopilot — is part of. Sperry’s gyroscopes.
- V-2 rocket — is part of. A gyroscopic guidance system.
- Space telescope — is part of. Pointing gyroscopes.
- Torpedo — is part of. Obry’s gyroscope keeps the course.
- Intercontinental ballistic missile — is part of. Inertial navigation.
- Segway — is part of. Gyroscopes.
- Ship stabilizer — is used in. Gyroscopic stabilizers.
- Attitude indicator — is part of. A gyroscope.
- VR headset — is part of. Head tracking.
- Gyrocompass — is part of. A gyroscope.
- International Space Station — is part of. Control moment gyroscopes.
- Guided missile — is part of. An inertial system.
- Hoverboard — is part of. Gyroscopes keep the balance.
- Electric unicycle — is used in. Gyro sensors feel the lean, and the wheel rolls to keep the rider up.
Things built in a similar way
- Spinning top — works like. A gyroscope is a top in a gimbal.