Ever need a fact or quotation on gimbals? Designed for speechwriters, journalists, writers, researchers, students, professors, teachers, historians, academics, scrapbookers, trivia buffs and word lovers, this is the largest book ever created for this single word. It represents a compilation from a variety of sources with a linguistic emphasis on anything relating to the term “gimbals,” including non-conventional usage and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities. The entries cover all parts of speech (noun, verb, adverb or adjective usage) as well as use in modern slang, pop culture, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This “data dump” results in many unexpected examples for gimbals, since the editorial decision to include or exclude terms is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under “fair use” conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. Proceeds from this book are used to expand the content and coverage of Webster’s Online Dictionary (www.websters-online-dictionary.org).

Ever need a fact or quotation on "gimbals"? Designed for speechwriters, journalists, writers, researchers, students, professors, teachers, historians, academics, scrapbookers, trivia buffs and word lovers, this is the largest book ever created for this word. It represents a compilation of "single sentences" and/or "short paragraphs" from a variety of sources with a linguistic emphasis on anything relating to the term "gimbals," including non-conventional usage and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities. This is not an encyclopedic book, but rather a collage of statements made using the word "gimbals," or related words (e.g. inflections, synonyms or antonyms). This title is one of a series of books that considers all major vocabulary words. The entries in each book cover all parts of speech (noun, verb, adverb or adjective usage) as well as use in modern slang, pop culture, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This data dump results in many unexpected examples for "gimbals," since the editorial decision to include or exclude terms is purely a computer-generated linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under fair use conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain.

Use in Literature

Gimbals

The lamp wriggled in the gimbals, the loosened books toppled from side to side on the shelf, the long barometer swung in jerky circles, the table altered its slant every moment.–Joseph Conrad in Typhoon.

In short, ideal flight: for instance, the seats were swung on gimbals, so that no matter at what angle the craft might fly, the passengers would maintain level positions.–Austin Hall and Homer Eon Flint in The Blind Spot.

Nonfiction Usage

Patent Usage

Coordinated X-Y stage apparatus: Patented by Alan K. Morimoto, David M. Kozlowski, Steven T. Charles and James A. Spalding on April 8, 1999. Abstract: An apparatus based on precision X-Y stages that are stacked. Attached to arms projecting from each X-Y stage are a set of two axis gimbals. Attached to the gimbals is a rod, which provides motion along the axis of the rod and rotation around its axis. A dual-planar apparatus that provides six degrees of freedom of motion precise to within microns of motion.

Device for the accurate positioning of an antenna: Patented by Manfred Schmid on August 1, 2000. Abstract: A device is provided for the accurate positioning of an antenna of a satellite in space, in which the antenna is fastened to a plate mounted on gimbals, with the plate capable of being swiveled around two axles supported in bearings and extending vertically to one another. A rotary drive is provided for each axle, said rotary drive consisting of an arm of a lever, said arm being connected to the axle, and a linear drive that freely affects the arm.

Drive unit for adjusting satellite components requiring orientation: Patented by Ludwig Supper and Christian Schwarzinger on June 8, 1998. Abstract: A drive unit for adjusting satellite components requiring orientation such as thrusts includes two linear drives on which steering rods are articulated via gimbals. The rods, like the additional bracing struts, are connected via globe joints to the components requiring orientation such as the platform of the thrusters. An alternative or additional articulation is provided via a globe joint on the main satellite body.

Gimbaled micro-mirror positionable by thermal actuators: Patented by Billy L. Weaver, Mike E. Hamerly and Robert G. Smith on October 1, 2000. Abstract: A micro-mechanical device including a gimbaled micro-mirror position able by a one or more thermal actuators. The thermal actuators are not attached to the micro-mirror. Rather, the micro-mirror is retained to the substrate by one or more gimbals. The micrometer sized thermal actuators are capable of repeatable and rapid moving the micro-mirror out-of-plane to accurately and repeatably steer a beam of light.

Gimbaled roller assembly process and device: Patented by Gary E. Merz, Edward B. Richter, Jeffrey Vanhall, Steven P. Vogel and Garry L. Wohlschlegel on December 6, 1998. Abstract: An assembly technique has been developed which reliably inserts the outer disk of an exposed film indicator into the crimp diameter of the cartridge end cap. This process gimbals the fixture containing the film cartridge, and rocks it in a manner that creates a circular wobble motion.

Omnidirectional propelling type airship: Patented by Mutsuro Bundo on August 8, 1993. Abstract: An omnidirectional propelling type of airship can be propelled in any direction in three-dimensions. The airship includes an airtight gas chamber, gas having a specific gravity smaller than that of air and filling the gas chamber, a section capable of accommodating men, cargo and the like, and propellers supported by gimbals and capable of propelling the airship in any spacial direction.

Spacecraft attitude control and momentum unloading using gimballed and throttled thrusters: Patented by Scott W. Tilley, Tung Y. Liu and John S. Higham on April 8, 1992. Abstract: A spacecraft (201) maintains its north-south positioning by using one of two pairs of single-gimballed throttled thrusters (221-224) on a face of the spacecraft (201). The throttles (118) and gimbals (116) of the thrusters (221-224) are controlled to produce torques on the spacecraft (201) that will maintain a desired attitude for the spacecraft (201) while simultaneously desaturating the momentum stabilizing wheels ( 120, 121 ) of the spacecraft (201).

Virtual reaction wheel array: Patented by David A. Bailey and Norman E. Johnson on April 2, 2002. Abstract: An attitude control system (ACS) for a spacecraft includes an attitude control assembly (ACA) interface, a control moment gyro (CMG) array and a reaction wheel assembly (RWA) control unit. The ACA interface converts torque commands received from the RWA control unit into CMG gimbal rates for the CMG array. The ACA interface receives CMG gimbal angles from the CMGs and converts the CMG gimbals angles into RWA speeds, which are then provided to the RWA control unit.

Bibliographic Usage

Ashcroft, Bill. Born in 1946, authored "The gimbals of unease: the poetry of Francis Webb." Publisher: Centre for Studies in Australian Literature, The University of Western Australia (Nedlands, Australia). Published in 1996.

• Preface iv
• Use in Literature 1
• Gimbals 1
• Nonfiction Usage 2
• Patent Usage 2
• Bibliographic Usage 3
• Lexicographic Usage 4
• Index 12