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Counterweight

A counterweight is a weight that, by applying an opposite force, provides balance and stability of a mechanical system.[1] The purpose of a counterweight is to make lifting the load faster and more efficient, which saves energy and causes less wear and tear on the lifting machine.[2]

A simple crane

Counterweights are often used in traction lifts (elevators), cranes and funfair rides. In these applications, the expected load multiplied by the distance that load will be spaced from the central support (called the "tipping point") must be equal to the counterweight's mass times its distance from the tipping point in order to prevent over-balancing either side. This distance times mass is called the load moment.[3]

By extension, a counterbalance force balances or offsets another force, as when two objects of equal weight, power, or influence are acting in opposition to each other.

Examples Edit

Trebuchet
There are five major components of a trebuchet: beam, counterweight, frame, guide chute, and sling. After the counterweight drops from a platform on the frame, gravity pulls the counterweight and pivots the beam. Without the counterweight, the beam could not complete the arc that allows the sling to accurately release the projectile.[4][5]
Crankshaft
A counterweight is also used in many rotating systems to reduce vibrations due to imbalances in the rotating assembly. A typical example is counterweights on crankshafts in piston engines.[6]
Desk lamp
Some balanced arm lamps work with a counterweight to keep the arm and lamp in the desired position.
Counterweights in architecture
 
César Pelli's Ratner Athletic Center uses cables, masts and underground counterweights as a load-bearing support structure.
 
Leaning Tower of Pisa has used external counterweights to stabilize the once gradually falling structure.
Elevator
In traction (non-hydraulic) elevators, a heavy counterweight counterbalances the load of the elevator carriage, so the motor lifts much less of the carriage's weight (specifically, the counterweight is the weight of the carriage plus 40-50% of its rated capacity). The counterweight also increases the ascending acceleration force and decreases the descending acceleration force to reduce the amount of power needed by the motor. The elevator carriage and the counterweights both have wheels that roll on rails to prevent irregular movement and provide a smoother ride for the passengers.[7]
 
Space elevator with counterweight at top
Space elevator
a proposed structure designed to transport material from a celestial body's surface into space. Many variants have been proposed, but the concept most often refers to an elevator that reaches from the surface of the Earth to geostationary outer space, with a counterweight attached at its outer end. By attaching a counterweight at the end, upward centrifugal force from the Earth's rotation ensures that the cable remains stretched taut, countering the gravitational pull on the lower sections and thereby allowing the elevator to remain upright. The counterweight itself could assume one of several forms:
  1. a heavy, captured asteroid;
  2. a space dock, space station or spaceport positioned past geostationary orbit; or
  3. an extension of the cable itself far beyond geostationary orbit.
 
Counterweight of elevator
 
Concrete counterweights on a tower crane
 
Bascule bridge with concrete counterweight

Metronome: A wind-up mechanical metronome has an adjustable weight and spring mechanism that allows the speed to be adjusted by placement of the weight on the spindle. The tempo speed is decreased by moving the weight to a higher spindle marking or increased by moving it to a lower marking.

Crane
The tower crane (see picture) is a modern form of balance crane that is fixed to the ground. A horizontal boom is balanced asymmetrically across the top of the tower. The long arm carries the lifting gear. The short arm is called the machinery arm; this holds the motors and electronics to operate the crane, as well as the concrete counterweights.[8]

Other examples include:

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ "counterweight". The Free Dictionary. Farlex. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  2. ^ Woodford, Chris (2019-06-11). "Elevators". Explain that Stuff. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  3. ^ . E-Crane International. 2002. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24.
  4. ^ "How a Trebuchet Catapult Works". TrebuchetStore.com. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  5. ^ "How does a catapult work?". HowStuffWorks. 2000-04-01. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  6. ^ "Understanding Crankshaft Balancing". Engine Builder Magazine. 2009-04-12. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  7. ^ Bellis, Mary; Artist, Was an Experimental; Director, Film; producer; Creator, Video Game Content; inventors, freelance writer for some 18 years She specialized in writing about; inventions; March 2015, in particular Bellis died in (2019-08-11). "The History of Elevators From Top to Bottom". ThoughtCo. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  8. ^ Brain, Marshall (2000-04-01). "How Tower Cranes Work". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 2019-11-05.

External links Edit

  •   Media related to Counterweights at Wikimedia Commons

counterweight, other, uses, disambiguation, counterweight, weight, that, applying, opposite, force, provides, balance, stability, mechanical, system, purpose, counterweight, make, lifting, load, faster, more, efficient, which, saves, energy, causes, less, wear. For other uses see Counterweight disambiguation A counterweight is a weight that by applying an opposite force provides balance and stability of a mechanical system 1 The purpose of a counterweight is to make lifting the load faster and more efficient which saves energy and causes less wear and tear on the lifting machine 2 A simple craneCounterweights are often used in traction lifts elevators cranes and funfair rides In these applications the expected load multiplied by the distance that load will be spaced from the central support called the tipping point must be equal to the counterweight s mass times its distance from the tipping point in order to prevent over balancing either side This distance times mass is called the load moment 3 By extension a counterbalance force balances or offsets another force as when two objects of equal weight power or influence are acting in opposition to each other Contents 1 Examples 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksExamples EditTrebuchet There are five major components of a trebuchet beam counterweight frame guide chute and sling After the counterweight drops from a platform on the frame gravity pulls the counterweight and pivots the beam Without the counterweight the beam could not complete the arc that allows the sling to accurately release the projectile 4 5 Crankshaft A counterweight is also used in many rotating systems to reduce vibrations due to imbalances in the rotating assembly A typical example is counterweights on crankshafts in piston engines 6 Desk lamp Some balanced arm lamps work with a counterweight to keep the arm and lamp in the desired position Counterweights in architecture nbsp Cesar Pelli s Ratner Athletic Center uses cables masts and underground counterweights as a load bearing support structure nbsp Leaning Tower of Pisa has used external counterweights to stabilize the once gradually falling structure Elevator In traction non hydraulic elevators a heavy counterweight counterbalances the load of the elevator carriage so the motor lifts much less of the carriage s weight specifically the counterweight is the weight of the carriage plus 40 50 of its rated capacity The counterweight also increases the ascending acceleration force and decreases the descending acceleration force to reduce the amount of power needed by the motor The elevator carriage and the counterweights both have wheels that roll on rails to prevent irregular movement and provide a smoother ride for the passengers 7 nbsp Space elevator with counterweight at topSpace elevator a proposed structure designed to transport material from a celestial body s surface into space Many variants have been proposed but the concept most often refers to an elevator that reaches from the surface of the Earth to geostationary outer space with a counterweight attached at its outer end By attaching a counterweight at the end upward centrifugal force from the Earth s rotation ensures that the cable remains stretched taut countering the gravitational pull on the lower sections and thereby allowing the elevator to remain upright The counterweight itself could assume one of several forms a heavy captured asteroid a space dock space station or spaceport positioned past geostationary orbit or an extension of the cable itself far beyond geostationary orbit nbsp Counterweight of elevator nbsp Concrete counterweights on a tower crane nbsp Bascule bridge with concrete counterweightMetronome A wind up mechanical metronome has an adjustable weight and spring mechanism that allows the speed to be adjusted by placement of the weight on the spindle The tempo speed is decreased by moving the weight to a higher spindle marking or increased by moving it to a lower marking Crane The tower crane see picture is a modern form of balance crane that is fixed to the ground A horizontal boom is balanced asymmetrically across the top of the tower The long arm carries the lifting gear The short arm is called the machinery arm this holds the motors and electronics to operate the crane as well as the concrete counterweights 8 Other examples include Vertical lift bridge Drawbridge Bascule bridge ForkliftSee also EditQueen Anne Counterbalance Water balance propulsionReferences Edit counterweight The Free Dictionary Farlex Retrieved 2019 11 05 Woodford Chris 2019 06 11 Elevators Explain that Stuff Retrieved 2019 11 05 Basic Crane Design principles E Crane International 2002 Archived from the original on 2011 07 24 How a Trebuchet Catapult Works TrebuchetStore com Retrieved 2019 11 05 How does a catapult work HowStuffWorks 2000 04 01 Retrieved 2019 11 05 Understanding Crankshaft Balancing Engine Builder Magazine 2009 04 12 Retrieved 28 June 2018 Bellis Mary Artist Was an Experimental Director Film producer Creator Video Game Content inventors freelance writer for some 18 years She specialized in writing about inventions March 2015 in particular Bellis died in 2019 08 11 The History of Elevators From Top to Bottom ThoughtCo Retrieved 2019 11 05 Brain Marshall 2000 04 01 How Tower Cranes Work HowStuffWorks Retrieved 2019 11 05 External links Edit nbsp Media related to Counterweights at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Counterweight amp oldid 1173541861, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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