How to Self Balance a Structure or Vehicle with a Gyroscope

Update Oct 2019: Wow, just ran across these two free pdfs by Mori, Hiroshi about how to make self-balancing gyroscopic monotrain. Includes all the theory and practical aspects. A must read: https://thebbb.net/free/theories-and-... and: https://thebbb.net/free/how-to-build-... My free ebook to help you construct your own vehicle: https://demej00.wordpress.com/2020/02... I present some lessons learned about using a gyroscope to balance a structure or vehicle by constructing a model to demonstrate free precession. I have been able to balance this demonstration model over 15 seconds now before the gyro runs down. UPDATE: just occurred to me that I don't need the extra weight - as one side of the gyroscope is already heavier than the other so I just spin up the gyro then swivel the heaviest side to the top and it actually balances longer and smoother than if I add weights. You can actually make a motor/rotor gyroscope balance itself on two legs without any gimbal control – just by making the rotor or motor the heavier side of the motor/rotor pair. By being top heavy in a vertical axis gyroscope or one side heavy in a horizontal axis gimbal, it will correct itself as it falls to one side or the other. Also I have calculated and measured the total gyroscope weight to torque produced by the gyroscope and found that it is a 26% ratio – in other words the total gyroscope weight needs to be 26% of the torque produced by the gyroscope (can be calculated at gyroscopes.org/maths) to be able to keep itself balanced on two legs. Interesting stuff!