Constant-force cylinder experiment with low-gravity simulation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a technical creation called a constant-force cylinder, which exhibits more advantages in providing constant force in a low-gravity environment than some existing methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors design the constant-force cylinder with simple ideas and realistic applicability that is easy to achieve. The authors analyze and formulate the cylinder, and explain how the realization of constant force and low gravity are obtained during the experiment by calculations. Force analysis and simple mathematics/statistics are used in the calculation.

Findings

The authors prove the effectiveness and accuracy of the constant and low-gravity properties of the new cylinder. In addition, the authors formulate the acceleration value to drive the cylinder which is flexible and easy to be adjusted during the experiment.

Practical implications

The constant-force cylinder can be functioning in a low-gravity environment with simple structures and economical extensions to real-world applications.

Originality/value

This is an innovative design of a constant-force cylinder under the low-gravity environment. In the experiment, the new cylinder was revised from an ordinary and economic cylinder with constant force and the applicability easy to be realized in practice.

Citation

Wang, S. and Zhao, R. (2015), "Constant-force cylinder experiment with low-gravity simulation", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 87 No. 4, pp. 376-379. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-02-2013-0044