CH-11: GYROSCOPIC COUPLE

Gyroscope, any device consisting of a rapidly spinning wheel set in a framework that permits it to tilt freely in
any direction, i.e. to rotate about any axis. The momentum of such a wheel causes it to retain its attitude when
the framework is tilted; from this characteristic derive a number of valuable applications.

Newton’s second law states:

̅ ̅ ̅ ̅
A body has angular momentum (H) if it has:
a. Inertia
b. Angular velocity
Angular momentum is a vector quantity. This angular
momentum of a spinning disk of moment of inertia (I) and
angular velocity ( is a vector having the following
quantities.
a. Its magnitude is H= I
b. Its line of action is parallel to the axis of rotation.
c. Its sense is that of a “right hand” screw advancing along the axis.

Wp = Velocity of precession
y = axis of precession.

dH is the change in angular momentum in a small time

interval dt.

The vector diagram shows that the change of angular momentum corresponds to a couple about z-axis, having
the direction shown by Cp, i.e. anticlockwise rotating along the axis.
Example:
Determine the magnitude and nature of the gyroscopic couple
for the wheels of a vehicle travelling at 40 km/hr around a track
of mean radius 10m. I for all wheels is 4.9 kgm2 and wheel
radius is 0.3 m.
Given:
V=40 km/hr (speed of car)
R=10 m (radius of curve of road.)
r=0.3m (radius of wheel)
I=4.9 kg.m2 (Inertia of wheel)

(angular speed of wheel)

 Examples (Gyroscopes) T-11

1. The figure shows a uniform disk of diameter 150mm and

mass 5.0 kg mounted centrally in bearings which maintain
its axle in a horizontal plane. The disc spins about its axis at
a constant speed of 1000 rpm while at the same time the
axle precesses uniformly about the vertical axis at 1.0
rev/sec, the direction of rotations being as shown. The
distance between the two bearings is 0.1 m. Determine the
total reaction force at each bearing.
Ans: 117.1 up, 67.9 down.

2. A truck with four wheels, each of 0.75m diameter, travels on rails round a curve of mean radius 75 m at a
speed of 50 km/hr. The total mass of the track is 5 tonnes, and its center og gravity is mid-way between
axles, at a height of 1.05m above the rails and mid-way between them. Each pair of wheels is driven by a
motor rotating in the opposite direction to the wheels and at four times the speed. The moment of inertia of
each pair of wheels is 15 kg.m2, and of each motor shaft, 5 kg.m2. the rails line on a horizontal plane and are
1.45m apart. Determine the load on each rail.
Ans: 33.87 kN, 17.17 kN.

3. A generating set is arranged on board ship, with the axis parallel to the longitudinal center-line of the vessel.
The revolving parts have a mass of 400 kg, a radius of gyration of 400mm and they revolve at 420 rpm. If
the ship steams at 36 km/hr round a curve of 180 m radius, find the magnitude and sense of the gyroscopic
couple transmitted to the vessel.
Ans: 547 Nm, bow lifts when turning to port if revolving clokwise when viewed from stern.

4. An electric motor on board ship is arranged with the rotor athwart the ship. Find the maximum load on its
bearings due to gyroscopic action if the ship rolls with simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of 30
degrees each side of the vertical, and the time for one complete roll is 3.1 sec.The mass of the rotor is 22 kg,
its radius of gyration is 215 mm, the bearings are 1.1 m apart and the speed of the motor is 3000 rpm
clockwise viewed from the starboard side. Explain precisely, with the aid of diagrams, the effect this will
have on the ships hull.
Ans: 2.81kN when the ship heals to port it will tend to turn port.

5. A pair of locomotive driving wheels, complete with axles, have a moment of inertia of 380 kg-m2. The
diameter of the wheel tread is 2.0m and the distance between wheel centers is 1.5 m. When the locomotive is
travelling along a lecel track at 110 km/hr, defective ballasting causes one wheel to fall 10 mm and to rise
again in a total tine of 0.1sec. Assuming this wheel displacement to be approximately simple harmonic, find
the resulting gyroscopic reaction couple on the locomotive.
Ans. 2.435 kN.m

6. A solo motor cycle complete with rider has a mass of 225 kg, the center of gravity being 0.6 m above ground
level. The moment of inertia of each wheel is 1.0 km.m2 and the rolling diameter is 0.6 m. The engine
crankshaft rotates in the same sense as the wheels, at five times the speed of wheels. The rotating parts of
the engine are equivalent to a flywheel of moment of inertia 0.2 kg.m2. Determine the heel-over angle
required when the unit is travelling at 100 km/hr around a curve of radius 60 m.
Ans: 54°36’
T-11, Q1 
The figure shows a uniform disk of diameter 150mm and mass 5.0
kg mounted centrally in bearings which maintain its axle in a
horizontal plane. The disc spins about its axis at a constant speed
of 1000 rpm while at the same time the axle precesses uniformly
about the vertical axis at 1.0 rev/sec, the direction of rotations
being as shown. The distance between the two bearings is 0.1 m.
Determine the total reaction force at each bearing.

Given:
Fig.a
=1000rpm=104.72 rad/s
=1 rev/sec=6.283 rad/s 
m=5.0kg
R=0.075m Fig.b
I=0.5mR2=0.01406kg.m2 Cp

= 9.253Nm

By inspection direction of Cp is found.

Fig.c
∑

RA=117 N…….

RB=-68N……..