University of Virginia Library

Angular Displacements

"The problem now is to measure
long angular displacements over
long periods of time, both of which
can be done with a high degree of
accuracy," says, Ralph A. Lowry,
chairman and professor of aerospace
engineering and one of the
University researchers.

The data on rotation speed is
fed into a computer which performs
the calculations required to
convert the speed into the units by
which gravitation is measured.

Since so many variables can
affect the measurements, precision
instruments in a controlled setting
must be used. The temperature of
the cubicle in the School of
Engineering and Applied Science
building where the device is located

never varies beyond of one
degree. White gloves are donned in
handling the tungsten spheres to
prevent soiling them.

"We've found that the best time
to take measurements is between
midnight and 4 a.m.," says Mr.
Lowry. "The vibrations from passing
cars and people are not as
much of a problem then."

Improvements on the device are
being made constantly in order to
increase its accuracy. For instance,
the quartz fiber suspension will be
replaced by magnetic suspension to
allow the cylinder to "float"
unhampered by friction and the
slight restoring torque of the quartz
fiber.

Other members of the research
group which designed and developed
the device under a grant from
the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration are Hermon M.
Parker, professor of aerospace engineering:
A.R. Kuhlthau, associate
provost for research and professor
of aerospace engineering; Maj. R.D.
Rose, assistant professor of physics
at the Air Force Academy who
received his doctorate from the
University in August, 1969, and
W.D. Towler, head of the instrumentation
group of the University's
Research Laboratories for the Engineering
Sciences.