Systems and Methods for Causing a Rotational Force to be Applied to a Vehicle

摘要

An example vehicle includes a rotational force control system (RFCS) coupled to a vehicle chassis. The RFCS includes a frame and a first flywheel mechanically coupled to the frame. The first flywheel is configured to spin about a first axis of the first flywheel and tilt about a second axis of the first flywheel. The example vehicle further includes a second flywheel mechanically coupled to the frame. The second flywheel is configured to spin about a first axis of the second flywheel and tilt about a second axis of the second flywheel. The RFCS is configured to cause a rotational force to be applied about at least one axis of the vehicle by changing an angular momentum of the first or second flywheels.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
spinning a first flywheel about a first axis of the first flywheel, wherein the first flywheel is mechanically coupled to a vehicle via a first gimbal allowing the first flywheel to tilt about a second axis of the first flywheel, wherein the second axis of the first flywheel is perpendicular to the first axis of the first flywheel; controlling rotational speed of the first flywheel with a first electronic speed controller; spinning a second flywheel about a first axis of the second flywheel, wherein the second flywheel is mechanically coupled to the vehicle via a second gimbal allowing the second flywheel to tilt about a second axis of the second flywheel, wherein the second axis of the second flywheel is perpendicular to the first axis of the second flywheel; controlling rotational speed of the second flywheel with a second electronic speed controller; causing a rotational force to be applied about at least one axis of the vehicle by changing an angular momentum of the first and second flywheels.