The Ship Dynamics Active Drive Gyroscope is a single gimbal controlled moment gyroscope. The device comprises a substantial spinning rotor mounted on a driven cradle. When the cradle is rotated by the drive, the change in direction of the rotor’s angular momentum causes a gyroscopic torque that can be orientated to stabilise the ship to which it is mounted.
By computer controlling the movement of the cradle in response to measured ship motion, Ship Dynamics Active Drive Gyroscope is able to generate very large and precise stabilising torque for modest input power. The drive also functions as a brake that regulates and limits loads transferred to the structure.
The elegance of this technology is that stabilisation of any capacity can be self-contained in a single device that operates totally independent of mounting location, vessel speed or environmental influence.