Applications & Development Paths

The same four-arm NuiCent core can be packaged around different gyro/generator sizes. The applications below are experimental development directions and require prototype testing for each installation.

*Both figures are engineering targets/test ranges, not guaranteed continuous output. Real ratings require loaded voltage/current, torque, temperature and mechanical-input measurements on the actual motors and finished transmission.

Watch the M4 motion cycle

This animated demonstration shows the corrected M4 motion and Positive Lock handover cycle from the current CAD sequence.

How NuiCent M4 works

The M4 is a four-quadrant radial mechanism. Two independent 3600 mm GT2 belts follow the same XY route on two separate Z-levels and counter-run through the centre. As the slider geometry moves, belt length is redistributed through multiple moving spans, creating the double-pull transfer between opposite arms.

At each 90° state change, the arriving inner slider releases the previously locked neighbouring state and then captures its own central position using the Positive Lock / wedge system. The sequence is mechanical rather than based on a programmed handover delay.

Main mechanical groups

• Four-arm rail and slider system: guides radial travel and the 90° handover sequence.
• Positive Locks and wedges: hold the active central position and coordinate release/capture.
• Two 3600 mm GT2 main loops: transmit the main give/take movement between opposing arms.
• Local GT2 stages: four 466 mm, four 200 mm and four 176 mm closed loops.
• Floating N20 centre drive: four guide locations let the centre move without making the N20 shaft the structural hinge.
• T70 one-way freewheel: allows overrun/free-spin when the driven centre is moving faster than the N20 drive.
• Dedicated 5065 holder system: the higher-power configuration replaces the small 31YZ holders with 5065-class motor/generator holders sized for the larger 50 × 65 mm motor envelope. The lighter 31YZ configuration remains a separate small-drone option.

Current M4 engineering data

Calculated transfer figures are design targets. Final belt movement, shaft speed, tension and endurance must be measured on the printed prototype.

Balanced 2 + 2 gyro arrangement

The preferred configuration uses two matched clockwise and two matched counter-clockwise rotating modules, all labelled from the same viewing side. This reduces the net stored angular momentum seen by the frame when the pairs are well matched while still allowing coordinated tilt/control torques to be produced by commanding the paired tilt directions appropriately.

Two gyro drives are allocated to MAIN 1 and two to MAIN 2 so the two 3600 mm belts share the drive load instead of concentrating it on a single loop.

Self-Balancing Unicycle Development

The compact NuiCent layout is also being developed for a two-close-wheel self-balancing unicycle. The intention is to mount the four-arm gyro core low between the wheels so fore/aft pitch can be actively stabilised while the rider retains natural left/right control through body and knee input.

This is an experimental prototype concept, not a certified road vehicle. Stability, braking, electrical output, mechanical endurance and rider safety require physical testing before use.

16 × 5065 higher-power configuration

The higher-power NuiCent concept replaces the 31YZ motor holders with dedicated 5065 holders, arranged as four 5065-class motor/generator units per arm for 16 units total. A representative Racerstar 5065 140KV unit is listed at about 480 g and up to 1,200 W motor power; the exact motors fitted to NuiCent must still be weighed and bench-tested individually.

Using 480 g as the planning mass gives approximately 7.68 kg of bare 5065 motor mass for sixteen units before holders, shafts, pulleys, bearings, fasteners and wiring.

*These are design/output targets, not measured NuiCent ratings. Mechanical input must be greater than electrical output once generator, belt, bearing, lock and conversion losses are included. A 5065 size/KV label does not by itself establish a safe continuous generator rating.

Perpetual Aviation — proposed 5065 applications

• Large UAV / eVTOL research: higher-power gyro and generation experiments with balanced counter-rotating groups.
• Auxiliary electrical power: avionics, pumps, fans, sensors, lighting and battery/DC-bus charging from externally supplied mechanical power.
• Regenerative research: recovering part of stored rotational energy during controlled deceleration where the drive and electronics are designed to back-drive.
• Hybrid power buffering: using rotating inertia alongside batteries or capacitors to smooth transient loads.
• Attitude-control research: coordinated counter-rotating gyro pairs for experimental pitch, roll and yaw torque control.

16 × 31YZ lightweight small-drone configuration

For smaller Perpetual Aviation drone research, the M4 can retain 16 × 31YZ / 31ZY permanent-magnet units, four per arm. At approximately 160 g per motor, the sixteen bare motors total about 2.56 kg before carriers, pulleys, bearings, belts, wiring and guards — roughly one-third of the bare-motor mass of the representative 16 × 5065 set.

The 12 V / 3500 rpm project baseline gives roughly 12 V open circuit near 3500 rpm, but usable watts depend on loaded current and temperature. Until one actual 31YZ is bench-tested, the safest way to present output is as a measured-current table:

The NuiCent 31YZ configuration uses a 240 W combined electrical output target for sixteen units, equivalent to 15 W per 31YZ. At 12 V that corresponds to approximately 1.25 A per motor under load. This remains a design target until the exact 31YZ units demonstrate the required loaded current continuously without excessive brush, winding or commutator temperature.

Small Perpetual Aviation drone uses

• Avionics, flight-controller and sensor supply.
• Navigation lights, communications and telemetry.
• Battery/capacitor buffering and in-flight auxiliary charging experiments.
• Counter-rotating gyro attitude-control experiments using the preferred balanced arrangement.
• Regenerative and load-smoothing research on small UAV test platforms.

The 31YZ configuration is an experimental auxiliary-power and gyro-control concept. It is not evidence of perpetual flight, and its electrical output cannot replace the energy required by the propulsion motors without an external source and a measured energy balance.

Lock-cycle and wear data

The M4 changes state four times per centre revolution. Each individual inner slider completes two full lock-release cycles per centre revolution. Across all four sliders there are eight lock engagements and eight releases per revolution.

This makes the wedge faces, slider noses, pivot bores, stops and belt-contact surfaces key endurance-test items.

Radial loading reference

Using four 31YZ units at approximately 160 g each gives a 0.64 kg bare-motor carrier mass before printed parts, bearings, pulleys, fasteners and wiring. At the current outward reference radius, the bare-motor radial load is approximately 3.89 N at 52 rpm, 5.18 N at 60 rpm, 11.66 N at 90 rpm and 20.74 N at 120 rpm.

These are carrier radial-load calculations, not direct belt-tension measurements. The actual belt load depends on the complete moving mass, pulley geometry, loaded spans, friction and generator torque.

Free 3D-printable N20 / GT2 mount

The free-spinning N20/GT2 direct-drive mount was developed for the NuiCent centre drive. It uses a four-hole direct-drive interface and an overrun/free-spin arrangement intended to reduce rigid load transfer back through the small N20 shaft and gearbox.

Download the free STEP + STL motor mount →

Prototype status and testing

NuiCent M4 is an experimental mechanical R&D prototype. The finished CAD defines the intended geometry and motion sequence, but the automatic lock/release cycle, endurance life, loaded shaft speeds, belt tension and overall input/output performance require physical bench validation.

Any electrical output from 31YZ units is conversion of mechanical/electrical input and stored rotational energy. Input power and output power must be measured independently when assessing efficiency. The NuiCent name does not by itself establish perpetual-motion or over-unity performance.

Safety: high-speed rotating parts, belts and locking components must be operated behind a rigid guard, with current-limited first tests and an emergency stop.

Invented and developed by Will Cole

NuiCent Gen • M4 FinishedNew development • 2026

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