CPC B63B 3/04 (2013.01) [F16C 3/02 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A gyroscopic roll stabilizer for a boat, the gyroscopic roll stabilizer comprising:
an enclosure mounted to a gimbal for rotation about a gimbal axis and configured to maintain a below-ambient pressure;
a flywheel assembly including a flywheel and flywheel shaft; the flywheel having a first end and an opposite second end; wherein the flywheel assembly is rotatably mounted inside the enclosure for rotation about a flywheel axis; the flywheel shaft having:
a first open-ended cavity formed in the first end and facing away from the second end; and
a second open-ended cavity formed in the second end and facing away from the first end;
a motor operative to rotate the flywheel assembly;
a first heat transfer shaft assembly rotationally fixed relative to the flywheel axis and extending from the enclosure into the first cavity;
a second heat transfer shaft assembly rotationally fixed relative to the flywheel axis and extending from the enclosure into the second cavity;
a first uneven seal mounted so as to extend between first heat transfer shaft assembly and the flywheel shaft to enclose the first cavity; the first uneven seal contacting both the first heat transfer shaft assembly and the flywheel shaft;
a second uneven seal mounted so as to extend between second heat transfer shaft assembly and the flywheel shaft to enclose the second cavity; the second uneven seal contacting both the second heat transfer shaft assembly and the flywheel shaft;
wherein the first and second uneven seals each have a respective first side and an opposite second side; wherein the first and second uneven seals are both configured to provide asymmetric sealing such that greater resistance is provided against flow in a primary sealing direction, from a first side toward a second side, than in a secondary sealing direction, from the second side toward the first side;
wherein the first side of the second uneven seal faces inward toward the second cavity; and
wherein the second side of the first uneven seal faces inward toward the first cavity.
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