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Re: more Japanese gyro-dropping



At 11:21 9/30/97 -0500, Doug C wrote:
An
observation is an observation is an observation. Assuming there to be no
experimental bugs, the group has observed that a falling spinning top
takes slightly less time to fall a given distance in a vacuum (anyone
know the pressure btw?) than the same top when it isn't spinning.

Now that WOULD be something! But they observed the
spinning top was slower to fall.

Think of this as a mechanical latchup in the release mechanism
from the spin friction torque (applies in one direction only)
unless you hear different...

Which brings us neatly to the vexing topic of high-precision mechanical
releases. The iron-core solenoid has its problems.
A high current pulse through a fuse link suspension sounds like it
might have promise.
Perhaps it's better to stop worrying about controlling the release time
and instead instrument a rig to actually detect the release, whenever it
finally gets going.
I'm open to good ideas in this department.
Regards
brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>
Altus OK