Method and apparatus for moving a mass in a spiral track

摘要

The velocity of a mass is monotonically increased from an initial non-zero value at the time it enters a spiral track. A drive gyrates the track about an axis so the mass makes each turn around the track in about the same period of time. The drive includes plural rotary drive shafts eccentrically and fixedly connected to the track at several points. The drive shafts and track are arranged so points on a first side of a particular spiral turn where the mass is located are driven toward the axis and points on a second side of the particular spiral turn remote from where the mass is located are driven away from the axis.