[math-fun] Gravity Simulators (centrifuges)

25 Oct 2004

      I'm sure that NASA must have looked into all variations
of this problem, but I haven't been able to find anything.

Suppose that I wanted to build a centrifuge that incorporated
a very active load (heavy mass that moves around a lot at the
end of the centrifuge arm.  The problem is that I would also
have to keep some sort of counterweight also moving around in
order to keep the arm statically and dynamically balanced, in
order to not put huge loads on the axle & bearings.

The most obvious solution (to me) would be to incorporate some
sort of microprocessor and motor system to actively move the
counterweight(s) to reduce the vibration and loads on the axles
and bearings.

But I was also wondering if there were a completely passive solution.

I thought of putting the dynamic load inside of a rigid sealed
box, and then suspending the box in a fluid having the same
(average) density as the box.  Presumably, the box wouldn't be
able to move very far in any direction within the fluid.

Can anyone think of any other "passive" type solutions?

Can anyone point me to any literature references?

Thanks.

Henry Baker

wouter meeussen

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