Operational Characteristics:
- Acute exposures to 5 G
- Human payload
- Subject or off-board powered
- Onboard ergometry or power measurement
- Continuous data and video acquisition
The Human Powered Centrifuge (HPC) was developed as a research tool to provide
exercise and gravitational forces simultaneously using only human effort. The HPC
is powered with a pedal mechanism and is used to obtain physiological, psychological,
and human performance data for the life science community. The HPC is located at floor
level and accommodates one or two onboard subjects placed in the seated supine position
with their heads near the centrifuge hub.
The current configuration allows for one active onboard subject to power the centrifuge
using a modified cycle mechanism. As an alternative, the centrifuge can be powered by an
off-board operator using an upright off-centrifuge bicycle. Centripetal force (up to 5 G
at subject's feet) is exerted upon onboard subjects in the +Gz direction while the centrifuge
is in motion. A subject riding passively may use an independent exercise device while the
centrifuge is powered by either the off-board operator or another onboard subject.
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Performance limits and specifications:
Radius: 6.25 ft, fixed
Payload: 500 lbs
Max G: 5 G (at subject's feet)
Max RPM: 50 RPM
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