Gyroscope

A gyroscope (from Greek γῦρος gûros, "circle" and σκοπέω skopéō, "to look") is a spinning wheel or disc in which the axis of rotation is free to assume any orientation by itself. When rotating, the orientation of this axis is unaffected by tilting or rotation of the mounting, according to the conservation of angular momentum. Because of this, gyroscopes are useful for measuring or maintaining orientation.

Gyroscopes based on other operating principles also exist, such as the electronic, microchip-packaged MEMS gyroscopes found in consumer electronics devices, solid-state ring lasers, fibre optic gyroscopes, and the extremely sensitive quantum gyroscope.

Applications of gyroscopes include inertial navigation systems where magnetic compasses would not work (as in the Hubble telescope) or would not be precise enough (as in intercontinental ballistic missiles), or for the stabilization of flying vehicles like radio-controlled helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles, and recreational boats and commercial ships. Due to their precision, gyroscopes are also used in gyrotheodolites to maintain direction in tunnel mining. Gyroscopes can be used to construct gyrocompasses, which complement or replace magnetic compasses (in ships, aircraft and spacecraft, vehicles in general), to assist in stability (Hubble Space Telescope, bicycles, motorcycles, and ships) or be used as part of an inertial guidance system.

Gyroscope (automobile)

The Gyroscope was a brass era automobile built in Detroit, Michigan first by the Blomstrom Manufacturing Company in 1908, and then the Lion Motor Car Company in Adrian, Michigan in 1909. The Gyroscope was so named because of its engine, a horizontal, opposed two-cylinder engine, which had a horizontal flywheel. They claimed the vehicle increased stability and prevented skidding with this powertrain setup. Although other companies had this type of layout, the Gyroscope was the only one to claim its stability effect. The 16 hp engine connected to a friction transmission and shaft drive, with three body styles available.

References

Gyroscope (band)

Gyroscope are an Australian rock band from Perth, which formed in 1997 as Gyroscope Sunday. The members are Daniel Sanders as lead vocalist and on guitar, Zoran Trivic on guitar and backing vocals, Brad Campbell on bass guitar and backing vocals and Rob Nassif on drums. As of 2014 the group has released four studio albums on major labels.

Gyroscope's first major label album, Sound Shattering Sound, was released in June 2004 – seven years after formation. It peaked at No. 37 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Their second such album, Are You Involved?, was issued in September 2005, which debuted at No. 20. It was followed by a double A-sided single, "Fast Girl / Beware Wolf", both tracks polled on the national radio station Triple J's Hottest 100 in 2005. The band's rise in popularity continued with their third album, Breed Obsession, which appeared in March 2008 and peaked at No. one. It was nominated for 'Best Rock Album' at the ARIA Music Awards of 2008. It was released through Warner Music Australasia and provided four singles, including "Snakeskin" (No. 30 on the ARIA Singles Chart and listed at No. 16 on Triple J's Hottest 100 in 2007) and the anthem, "Australia". The band's fourth album, Cohesion, was released in April 2010, which reached No. three and included the singles, "Some of the Places I Know" and "Baby I'm Getting Better", which charted at No. 32 and No. 34, respectively.

SFA

SFA may refer to:

In science and technology

In medicine

In physics and chemistry

Other uses in science and technology

Organizations

In education

Street Fighter Alpha 3

Street Fighter Alpha 3, known as Street Fighter Zero 3 (ストリートファイターZERO 3) in Japan and Asia, is a 1998 fighting game by Capcom originally released for the CPS II arcade hardware. It is the third game in the Street Fighter Alpha series, following Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors' Dreams and Street Fighter Alpha 2, although it was released after the Street Fighter III series had already started (between 2nd Impact and 3rd Strike). The gameplay system from the previous Alpha games was given a complete overhaul with the addition of three selectable fighting styles based on Street Fighter Alpha (A-ism;called Z-ism in Japan), Street Fighter Alpha 2 (V-ism), and Super Street Fighter II Turbo (X-ism), new stages, a much larger roster of characters, and new theme music for all the returning characters.

Gameplay

Street Fighter Alpha 3 discards the "Manual" and "Auto" modes from the previous Alpha games and instead offers three different playing styles known as "isms" for players to choose from. The standard playing style, A-ism (or Z-ism in Japan), is based on the previous Alpha games, in which the player has a three-level Super Combo gauge with access to several Super Combo moves. X-ism is a simple style based on Super Street Fighter II Turbo, in which the player has a single-level Super Combo gauge and access to a single but powerful Super Combo move. The third style, V-ism (or "variable" style), is a unique style that allows the player to perform custom combos similar to the ones in Street Fighter Alpha 2. In X-ism, players cannot air-block nor perform Alpha Counters. Alpha 3 also introduces a "Guard Power Gauge" which depletes each time the player blocks – if the gauge is completely depleted, then the player will remain vulnerable to an attack.