Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 44, 193-204 (2008)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap:2008107

Dynamic behaviour of a monolithic suspension device for the French watt balance experiment

¹ LNE-INM/Cnam, 61 rue du Landy, 93210 La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
² LNE, 29 avenue Roger Hennequin, 78197 Trappes, France

Corresponding author: patrick.pinot@cnam.fr

Received: 5 March 2008
Accepted: 22 May 2008
Published online: 25 July 2008

Abstract

In the French watt balance experiment, in order to have a single point of application of a weight and an electromagnetic force balancing this weight, a system of double gimbals with flexure pivots was made out of copper-beryllium alloy. This allows the articulation of the suspension devices of the mass (generating the weight) and coil (on which the electromagnetic force acts) around four coplanar axes which intersect at one point (equivalent to a virtual centre of rotation). The study of the free dynamic behaviour under vacuum of this device dealt with resonance, damping due to internal friction of the material and coupling between the two systems of gimbals. The results obtained show that this novel device presents suitable characteristics for concentrating two different forces at a single point and aligning them around a common vertical axis. It can be used not only for watt balance experiments but also for any other mechanical applications where alignment and concentration of two forces are necessary.